Seescape recognised with award

Fife-based charity, Seescape, has received a national award recognising the work that it does supporting people with sight loss throughout the area.

Formerly known as the Fife Society for the Blind, Seescape received the Community Award at the Visionary Conference in Birmingham in September. Sponsored by Specsavers, the awards ceremony aimed to recognise outstanding achievements in the sight loss sector and in supporting our local community.

The award acknowledges Seescape’s contribution to improving eye health throughout Fife, with judges praising the charity for its use of local expertise, voices and contacts to bring about positive change. In the past year, the charity has expanded, with a new hub opening in Glenrothes and a renewed focus on accessible technology and supporting people experiencing loneliness or isolation because of sight loss.

Commenting on receiving the award, chief executive of Seescape, Lesley Carcary, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised with this award and grateful to all colleagues for their daily work to support people with sight loss in Fife. We pride ourselves on our partnership working, which means we can reach more people and improve lives.
We know from what our clients tell us that we do a great job, but it’s wonderful to see our approach celebrated by this award.”

Seescape helps people with sight loss live more independently and provides a range of services including rehabilitation, advice, and technology demonstrations. It also offers social opportunities to those with visual impairments across Fife, as well as community-based assessments, home visits, and drop-ins at its visual impairment hub in Glenrothes to give information on the latest support and technologies available.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Seescape’s Honorary President, said: “Seescape’s support for people experiencing sight loss is well known throughout Fife, making a profound difference to many lives and I’m delighted their pioneering work has been acknowledged across the UK with this award and that Seescape is now recognised as a leader across the UK in support for those experiencing sight loss.”

Chief executive of Visionary, Fiona Sandford, added: “Seescape is a brilliant example of what is possible when charities, the NHS, local authorities and community optometry work together. Congratulations to everyone at Seescape.”