RNIB

RNIB is a Charity for blind and near-sighted people, and they often create, or hire performers, to create pieces to educate the wider community on a variety of issues that affect those who suffer with sight restrictions.  Their recent advertisement ‘See the person, not the sight loss’ is the story of a young blind girl named Ava, navigating her life and achieving her goals despite her disability.​ The advertisement has been widely praised for its representation of disabled people and its focus on seeing the person, not the disability. It is a powerful reminder that everyone should be given the chance to succeed, regardless of their physical abilities.

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I believe this project would be great to share with an organisation such as this due to our similar audience outreach when educating about these issues, and to directly link to the sight loss faced by the woman whom this piece is based upon. This project could provide a platform to spread awareness about the issues the organisation works towards, and help to encourage more people to get involved in the cause. Additionally, this project can be used to inspire more people to take action and to make a difference in the lives of those with sight loss.

A still image from the RNIB advert; 'See the person, not the sight loss'

Mind and Scope

Around two million people in the UK do not receive sick pay when they are ill, the majority of whom are women. The result is financial hardship for workers, especially those on low incomes.  It also increases the likelihood that some will ignore early symptoms and continue to work.  It takes at least eight weeks from the application to be granted temporary and limited financial aid, which was too late for Tracy.

Mental health charities such as Mind and Scope are bringing awareness to this issue, advocating for a flexible, fair sick pay system. This is especially true for those working in precarious or low-paid jobs. The lack of financial security can create fear of losing one's job in the face of illness, leading to an even greater risk of contagion. To help avoid this, employers must provide adequate sick pay for employees.