Sight Loss Council Scotland Coordinator.

• Position: Sight Loss Council Scotland Coordinator.
• Reports to: Lived Experience Policy and Engagement Manager
• Location: Office-based (Robertson Avenue, Edinburgh and 2 Queen’s Crescent, Glasgow) or hybrid. You may be required to attend or work at any of our sites from time to time, as reasonably required.
• Travel: Regular national travel to attend meetings and events.
• Contract: Fixed term for 12 months.
• Hours: 35 per week, Monday to Friday. Some evening and weekend work may be required for which Time off in Lieu (TOIL) will be given.
• Grade: 12, currently £28,074 - £30,695 per annum.
• Direct Reports: None.
• Checks Required: PVG Scheme membership.

About Sight Loss Councils

Sight Loss Councils are regional groups across Scotland, England, and Wales, led by blind and partially sighted (BPS) volunteers. All groups use lived experience to tackle the things that really matter to blind and partially sighted people, every day. Each SLC is made up of blind and partially sighted members who meet monthly to discuss accessibility issues and plan projects in their regions under priority themes. These themes are centred around what blind and partially sighted people have told us matters most to them, including accessible transport, streets, health and fitness, arts and culture, and retail.

There are currently around 25 Sight Loss Councils. Thomas Pocklington Trust and partners plan to expand these further across the UK this coming year.

Project Summary

Scotland’s Sight Loss Councils (SLCs) are delivered by a consortium of partner organisations (Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, Visibility Scotland and Thomas Pocklington Trust).

By combining the strengths of each partner, SLCs aim to create an inclusive and accessible Scotland where people with vision impairment and blindness can contribute to society and live a ‘good life’.

The Sight Loss Councils tackle inequalities by ensuring vision-impaired and blind people are represented and participate in societal change.

Members positively challenge systemic barriers through supported and informed, peer-led participation in local and national consultations and campaigns.

Sight Scotland is the lead partner in the consortium. The post-holder will be employed by Sight Scotland, with support and mentoring from consortium partners.

The post will initially be based at Visibility Scotland's Glasgow offices. This arrangement reflects the partnership's commitment to collaborative working and highlights the importance of multi-agency engagement in delivering successful outcomes.

About Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans support people impacted by vision impairment to live confident, independent lives. Our vision is of an inclusive Scotland where people of all visual abilities can thrive.

About Visibility Scotland

Visibility Scotland is a national and local vision impairment charity.

Our services reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and loss of identity for blind and vision-impaired people through support, education and empowerment.

Job Purpose

To support the delivery and day-to-day coordination of Sight Loss Councils across Scotland.

The post-holder will ensure volunteers are supported to participate effectively, while delivering accessible activities in line with agreed priorities and processes.

The role coordinates meetings, engagement activities, and communications; supports the implementation of new and existing Sight Loss Councils; and contributes to reporting, administration, and the delivery of projects and events.

Key ResponsibilitiesCoordination and delivery

• Support the implementation of activities to maintain or establish Sight Loss Councils across Scotland in line with agreed UK-wide priorities and plans
• Coordinate delivery of projects, meetings, events and engagement activity to agreed timescales
• Act as a first point of contact for Sight Loss Council members and provide ongoing coordination and administrative support
• Coordinate the Sight Loss Council activity calendar, scheduling meetings, events and delivery activity and identifying potential clashes or capacity issues
• Coordinate delivery activity with colleagues and partner organisations to support agreed outcomes

Volunteer and participation support

• Provide day-to-day coordination and support to volunteers participating in Sight Loss Council activity
• Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding and participation processes in line with agreed approaches
• Coordinate volunteer involvement in projects, consultations and engagement activity
• Promote accessible and inclusive approaches to participation and communication
• Ensure Sight Loss Council members are safe and supported during participation

Administration and information management

• Champion accessibility for blind and vision-impaired people
• Maintain accurate records using agreed systems and processes
• Use CRM and digital systems to support coordination, reporting and activity tracking
• Organise meetings and ensure agendas, papers and actions are prepared and shared in accessible formats
• Support production of resources, surveys, presentations and information materials.
• Support preparation and distribution of communications and engagement materials

Reporting and continuous improvement

• Maintain records of activity, participation and outcomes
• Contribute information and case studies to support reporting, evaluation and communication of outcomes and impact
• Support identification of opportunities to improve delivery and volunteer experience

Ways of working

• Works autonomously within agreed priorities and escalates issues where required
• Coordinates activity across multiple workstreams and deadlines
• Works collaboratively across teams and partner organisations to support delivery
• Applies accessibility and inclusion principles across all activity
• Supports safe and effective volunteer participation

Experience and skills required

• Lived experience of vision impairment
• Experience coordinating projects and events
• Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, volunteers and external partners
• Experience supporting engagement, participation or community-led activities
• Experience using digital systems and standard MS Office applications to support coordination, reporting and delivery activity
• Experience supporting the establishment, development or growth of engagement or participation initiatives
• Experience using CRM systems to support coordination and engagement activity
• Knowledge of effective volunteer engagement and inclusive participation practices
• Experience supporting communications, events or stakeholder engagement activity
• Making documents accessible

Organisational Context

Reports to the Engagement Lead and works within the Cause and Engagement Directorate.

Works collaboratively with Sight Loss Council members, volunteers, colleagues and partner organisations to support delivery of Sight Loss Councils across Scotland.There are no budget responsibilities.

Supports delivery within agreed budgets and organisational processes and escalates activities with financial implications through agreed approval routes.

Interviews

Interviews will be held in person at Visibility Scotland’s headquarters: 2 Queen’s Crescent, Glasgow, G4 9BW. The interview panel will comprise one representative from each organisation.

Candidates selected for interview can let us know in advance of any reasonable adjustment they require to take part in the interview process.

Interviews are scheduled for Friday, 02 October.

Accessibility

We are committed to accessible recruitment and employment practices. If you require this document in an alternative format or need reasonable adjustments at any stage, please contact: info@visibilityscotland.org.uk