Sight Action's Short Sharp Campaign Success To Be Celebrated With Supporter Rhoda Grant MSP

9th March 2020

Sight Action asks MSP Rhoda Grant to co-host thank you reception for clients and politicians who campaigned to save an established model of support services delivered by Sight Action.

A THANK YOU reception is being thrown for clients and politicians who campaigned to save an established model of support services Sight Action delivers.

The event, co-hosted by MSP Rhoda Grant, will take place at Sight Action's Beechwood base next month.

A recent short campaign raised the profile of the work that Sight Action does for people with low or no vision in the Highland and islands.

Events escalated in the last few weeks when the charity’s Executive Manager Gillian Mitchell warned it could not bid to renew its contract with NHS Highland because the health board was unwilling to adequately fund this model of service, even in the short term.

This sparked fears people with sight problems would not have the specialised rehabilitation support needed to cope with daily life which could have led to disastrous consequences.

A campaign was quickly launched by service users, which Rhoda helped to spearhead.

And, in a swift turn around, the health board acknowledged the crucial work that Sight Action does and has agreed to work with the charity to find a way forward for these valuable services to continue.

Commenting, the Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: "Obviously, a cut in NHS Highland’s budget by the Scottish Government has not helped the charities and organisations that rely on them, and I am just so relieved to see the back of what must have been a very frightening time for Sight Action staff and service users - and I am feeling so honoured to have been asked to co-host the thank you reception. I’m really looking forward to it."

Mrs Mitchell will be sending written invites in the post to service users.

NHS Highland representatives and members of the local authority will also be invited.

The event will take place on Friday 3rd April at noon at the Sight Action offices at 69-71 Old Perth Rd, Raigmore, Inverness.

PHOTO
Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant worked with staff and campaigners and tabled a motion for debate in the Scottish Parliament.