Vision Collaborative Scotland update

Vision Collaborative Scotland is the new name for the Scottish Vision Services Steering Group

Vision Collaborative Scotland brings together organisations across Scotland that support people with vision impairment. We work together on shared priorities and create sustainable solutions.

We’re pleased to welcome Visionary, the national network for local sight loss charities, as a new member.

New Vision Rehabilitation course

Vision Collaborative Scotland has teamed up with the University of Strathclyde to develop an exciting new Vision Rehabilitation course, hopefully launching in January 2026.

The course will offer two study options:

• A one-year Postgraduate Certificate for assistant-level training
• A two-year Postgraduate Diploma for those looking to qualify at specialist level.

Thanks to the generous support of the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust, up to five part-funded sponsorships will be available for people already working in the vision impairment sector in Scotland. These will cover up to 50% of course fees for the 2026 intake. Please keep an eye on our web pages for more information.

Impact of Vision Impairment study

The IVI (Impact of Vision Impairment) study is in full swing, with rehabilitation specialists all over Scotland getting involved. This ground-breaking research partnering with the University of Melbourne will enhance our evidence base for the effectiveness of vision rehabilitation on blind and partially sighted people’s quality of life, anxiety, depression and falls. Thanks to everyone who is completing questionnaires with their clients. The report will be published in April 2026.

Mapping the Future of Adult Vision Impairment Community Services

Vision Collaborative Scotland is proud to launch an ambitious new project that will help shape the future of adult vision impairment community services across the country. Working with Birch Tree Associates, we are undertaking a comprehensive landscape review to map what services are being delivered, where, by whom, and with what resources.

This work will provide the first shared map of its kind in Scotland and is designed to help all of us who work to support people with VI.

This important work will help us and the wider sector to:

• Identify gaps in current services
• Find opportunities to build stronger, evidence-based support
• Look ahead and plan for better services in the future.

If you provide vision impairment community services, whether through a Health and Social Care Partnership sensory team or a charity, we would love you to get involved.

Our partners at Birch Tree Associates, who have many years of experience in the vision impairment field, will be in touch in September and October 2025. Please look out for their email and take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your input will make a real difference. Together, we can build a clearer picture and a stronger future for vision impairment services in Scotland.

To find out more about Vision Collaborative Scotland, please visit visioncollaborativescotland.org.uk

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