RSBC proudly hosts first ever Festival of VI Inclusion in the City of London

Yesterday, RSBC hosted the very first Festival of Vision Impairment (VI) Inclusion, generously sponsored by Kroll, at the historic Banking Hall in the beating heart of the City of London.

 

A marketplace of ideas and inspiring voices

From the moment the doors opened, the Banking Hall came alive. Teams from across RSBC created a marketplace of ideas; inviting employers, policymakers and professionals to explore different offers, try out innovative technology, and discover how they can help create a more inclusive future for blind and partially sighted children and young people.

Visitors experienced hands-on demonstrations, talked with our staff about the barriers young people face, and learned what inclusion looks like in practice.

The day featured uplifting talks Carla Rose-Hardman, Josie Grainger-Francova, and Lily Rose, alongside RSBC Chair of Trustees, Patrick Plant. Each shared personal reflections on the inequalities that exist today, the models that work best for young people, and how even small changes in workplaces and attitudes can transform a young person’s future.

Carla Rose-Hardman, Director of Services said: "We are led by our young people and families, and our services are continually developing with their needs and wishes in mind. We work holistically, with the whole family, and help them build skills and confidence that sees them thrive." 

Josie Grainger-Francova, Director of Education said: "Our hybrid education offer combines the best of mainstream and VI specialist education to make it truly inclusive. Dorton College has tripled in size in recent years reaching many new regions in London and the South East. Our groundbreaking new VI Centre of Excellence, that we have just opened in Surrey, is the first of its kind and hopefully the first of many we have planned."

Lily Rose, Director of External Affairs, said: "We’re laying the ground work at RSBC; we’re at the front end. Every day, we’re speaking to young people to help them build the skills, confidence, resilience, adaptability, communication skills. We help them navigate education, friendships, independence, wellbeing - all those foundations that need to be in place before you can even think about writing a CV or turning up to an interview, or starting your own business. But we need more partners and professionals to pass the baton to, and provide more opportunities and open more doors, so that when young people are ready they can walk through them."

 

Disability in the City Network launch

To close the day, RSBC proudly hosted the first meeting of the new Disability in the City Network.

Chaired by RSBC’s CEO Julie Davis and introduced by Nighat Qureshi, the panel featured Luka Sotelo (Howden), Callum Russell (founder of Crystaleyes and RSBC Dorton College Chair of Governors), Eileen Harding (RSBC), and Chantelle O’Hagan (Blind in Business).

Together, they explored what real diversity, equity and inclusion mean, and how we can all help build environments where disabled talent can thrive.

 

Eileen Harding, Director of People & Facilities for RSBC said of the launch: "It is important for talent acquisition that companies in the Square Mile embrace disability and inclusion in their recruitment and retention practices and I look forward to the next meeting of the new Disability in the City Network to learn and share more innovative ideas for change.”

 

Working together

If you'd like to find out more about how you can work with us, or make your activities or workplace more inclusive, take a look at our For Professionals page.