Introduction – overview of the funding

Fight for Sight is a registered charity in England and Wales that funds sustainable projects that build connections and confidence for people who are blind and vision impaired.

It also funds scientific research that advances the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye disease.

The organisation’s single vision is to Save Sight. Change Lives.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications will be considered from:

• UK registered charities
• Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)
• Charitable companies, limited by guarantee
• Community Interest Companies (CIC), limited by guarantee
• Exempt charities (e.g., educational establishments)

Applicants must directly support people who are blind and vision impaired or those who are at risk of losing sight.

What are the funder priorities?

Funding will be prioritised for organisations that can offer innovative and bright ideas that will make a real difference in the lives of blind and vision impaired people and enable them to live independent and fulfilling lives.

How much can organisations apply for?

Funding is open to organisations from across the UK, and will provide grants of up to £30,000.

What the funding can be used for

The funding is aimed at projects that address three key priority areas:

Social Connections

• Programmes that encourage children and young people to forge long-lasting friendships and connections over time. This could involve connecting vision impaired children with one another based on shared interests or with sighted young people in their communities.
• Programmes that develop social skills that will ultimately facilitate and increase connections confidence in getting out and about, interacting in different places and with different people, engaging in group activities and pursuing hobbies and interests. This might be through creative or cultural activities.
• Physical activities, including exercise and sports-based programmes that bring people together and facilitate improvements in well-being, resulting in young people feeling more confident and physically comfortable in getting out and about and being active.

Digital Inclusion

• Programmes that increase young people’s confidence in using technologies that can facilitate independence when out and about. This could include training and / or demonstrations of navigational apps.
• Projects that use technology in innovative ways to improve self-confidence and encourage creativity and connection. This might include programmes to experiment with podcast creation, video editing, or experimenting safely with social media.
• Projects that provide technology training to lay foundations for employment and volunteering opportunities.

Personal Resilience and Self-advocacy

• Programmes that equip children and young people with the skills to confidently and safely navigate different environments, and interact with others, including articulating the reasonable adjustments or support they need.
• Workshops for parents and families to explore entitlements for younger children in education and beyond, and to offer advice for accessing different levels of support.
• Services to help children and young people and their families through specialist counselling or psychological support.

Is there a deadline?

Monday, 14 October 2024 at 11.59pm

Find out more/how to apply

The guidance notes, online application form and project proposal guidelines can be found on the Fight for Sight website

Further support

For further support from RVA with preparing your application or the policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Vass at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk