Our Award-Winning Team
Our Trustees
Jacky Fisher
Chair
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Jacky is a retired social worker who spent the last 17 years of her career as Social Work Director of the Independent Living Fund. She currently sits on Disability Appeal Tribunals approximately three times a month, hearing appeals from people who consider they should be entitled to a Personal Independence Payment.
Jacky has long experience of working with people with disabilities and promoting ways to increase their independence.
This is also a strong ethos within My Sight Notts, and so she feels her background synchronises very well with this. She values the direct support and services offered by My Sight Notts to local people with visual impairment and enjoys helping the organisation to run effectively.
Faye Dale
Trustee
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As a former employee, My Sight Notts the charity has played a huge part in my professional career. Between 2009 and 2013 I had the privilege of working for the charity as Sports and Healthy Lifestyles Officer before being promoted to Leisure Services Manager.
Since leaving the charity in 2013 to become Head Men’s Coach at Goalball UK, where I was responsible for planning, delivering and implementing a performance pathway aiming for sporting excellence at Tokyo 2020. I now work as National Talent Lead for Goalball UK, where I lead on transforming and developing the national talent pathway and its offer to visually impaired athletes.
Over the past few years I have been keeping up with developments at My Sight Notts from afar and have been pleased to see a number of exciting new initiatives come to fruition. I am delighted to have the opportunity to become a trustee of an organisation that is close to my heart, that has made such a difference to my life and that is making such a difference to the people of Nottinghamshire.
Stephen Payne
Trustee
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Stephen has worked in the sight loss sector for 18 years and is currently the Director of Care and Services for Vista, the local charity supporting those affected by sight loss in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Vista has a long-standing partnership with My Sight Notts, sharing best practices and supporting each other when the opportunities arise.
Stephen has a wealth of knowledge through experience, having worked in the sector, delivering and managing sight loss services for a significant period before taking over as Director of Care and Services for Vista in 2019.
Stephen is Designated Safeguarding Lead at Vista and plays a pivotal role in ensuring all services are safe, have the necessary regulatory requirements in place, as well as adhering to their financial obligations and contractual requirements for Health and Social Care Commissioners.
Stephen has recently gained a significant understanding of regulated care as he took on the role of Vista’s nominated individual for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) adding to his knowledge base.
Stephen says: “I am used to looking at new and innovative service creation, how to ensure beneficiaries play a part in their design and delivery and I am looking forward to bringing these skills to bear at My Sight Notts.”
Malcolm Evans
Treasurer
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Before his recent retirement, Malcolm worked as a part-time finance director for a number of smaller companies overseeing their finances and assisting with their strategic plans.
Following his retirement and having a vision impairment himself, Malcolm was looking to help a caring organisation. The opportunity to become a trustee at My Sight Notts seemed an ideal fit and he is very much looking forward to working with My Sight Notts to achieve its goals and ambitions.
Brian Fitzpatrick
Trustee
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Originally from Liverpool, Brian moved to Nottingham to train in horticulture at Portland training college (Mansfield) in 1979.
Brian’s last employer was Nottinghamshire County Council – he worked here from 1983 to 2018 when he retired. His role was initially in learning disability day service, working across several sites. He joined the trade union NALGO and represented members at grievances, disciplinary hearings and a whole raft of other staffing issues. As NALGO merged with NUPE a new union emerged called UNISON. He then became a senior steward which entitled him to paid day release. As time went on, 1 day a week became 2 and eventually Brian ended up doing 4 days a week for UNISON while being paid by NCC on my substantive pay grade.
At UNISON Brian worked closely with HR colleagues overcoming and resolving staffing issues for the benefit of both the employee & employer. He became branch disabilities officer attending national conferences and organising awareness sessions for both managers and staff.
Since retiring Brian has become chair of the retired members group. Brian is registered Severely Sight Impaired but does have some vision. He is a keen musician and regularly performs in pubs and clubs.
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Shamaila Kauser moved to Nottingham 10 years ago to study law and has been accessing services from My Sight Notts since then. She has also been a volunteer and a visually impaired member of our Service User Member Involvement Team (SUMIT) ably representing the views of other service users.
Shamaila now works for the local charity, Framework and is interested in bringing her experience as a young visually impaired service user and a charity employee working in the area of lived experience, volunteer support and co-production to the trustee board.
Shamaila said: “I’m passionate about ensuring the views of other visually impaired people are heard at My Sight Notts when decisions are made about changes to services and new initiatives. I’ve been representing their views as a member of SUMIT for many years, leading consultation discussions, telephoning service users to offer support and feeding back to My Sight Notts. As a trustee of the charity I want to continue to ensure visually impaired people have a voice at the most senior level, which is why I became a trustee.”
Kate Skill
Trustee
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I was Co-opted as a trustee in 2019 and I believe I bring to the role substantial management experience and an understanding of eye health, which I’ve gained as Specialty General Manager of Ophthalmology at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, a role I’ve been working in for the last three years.
Prior to my appointment as Speciality General Manager in Ophthalmology, I worked as a biomedical scientist in both the UK and overseas. Having no previous experience of anything to do with eyes, I have found managing a busy ophthalmology department interesting, challenging, rewarding and humbling. I have learnt so much about the importance of vision, which so many of us take for granted. I’ve become really appreciative of all the different aspects of visual impairment and how this impacts on everyday life.
I’m committed to supporting people with sight loss as much as I can professionally through my work at NUH and as a trustee of My Sight Notts.
Outside of work I’m a keen runner, but my first love is singing. I’ve been a member of large choirs or small choral groups my whole life.
I also have a strong commitment to supporting charities and I’m a member of the Steering Group for NUH charity, Jimma Link where I volunteer to support hospital professionals at the Jimma University Hospital in Ethiopia.
Gemma Stapleton
Trustee
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In 2018, Gemma was part of a cross-directorate team which developed a set of strategic principles for the Stroke Association. This gave her insight into organisational strategy and sparked her interest in the role of Trustees.
Gemma feels strongly about enabling independence and realising potential, values which strongly align with the ethos and aims of My Sight Notts. She looks forward to utilising her skills, knowledge, creativity and passion in her role as Trustee, to support the organisation in it’s vital work.
Previously, Gemma worked in Adult Social Care and Health (Nottinghamshire County Council) for several years, prior to which she was a customer services manager in the private sector. Gemma is originally from Cambridge and moved to Nottingham when she was 18; she lives in Mapperley with her husband, daughter and crazy dog!
David Cartwright
Trustee
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David is an Optometrist, with wide experience within the optical profession, mainly working for Boots Opticians and more recently on eye health pathways in Nottinghamshire via the Ophthalmic Delivery Group (ODG).
David held various roles throughout his career, including; President of the Royal College of Optometrists, Chair of Nottinghamshire Local Eye Health Professional Network, examiner at the College of Optometrists and a member of the General Optical Council’s fitness to practice panel. Now retired from practice, David is focusing on his role as Chair of Eyecare Trust and his new position on the board at My Sight Notts.
David has a specific interest in low vision work, sparked by his training and early employment at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, where this area of expertise was central to his role.
David says: “In the past five years or so I have become aware of the work of My Sight Notts and have been impressed with its aim, objectives and what it achieves with minimal funding. As part of my work within the ODG, I was keen to get support for those living with sight loss as a key part of the Notts Eye Health Strategy.
On a personal note, I have experience of using our local eye health pathways, as I have had a retinal detachment requiring emergency treatment, cataract surgery and I have regular glaucoma check-ups.”
Our Staff
Michael Conroy
Chief Executive Officer
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Michael Conroy became Chief Executive at My Sight Notts in 2008 after joining the organisation as Fundraising Manager in 2003.
Michael also sits on the Board of trustees at Visionary, the umbrella organisation for over 120 local sight loss charities, where he was elected Vice Chair in 2016.
Michael has worked in the voluntary sector for over 25 years, many of which were spent working for the disability charity, Scope.
Michael is passionate about disability equality and feels that, whilst great progress has been made over the past 25 years, there is significant risk that this may grind to a halt and even regress as councils grapple with public funding cuts. He believes disability charities are best placed and duty bound to continue the push for equality.
Kirsty Allen
Admin and Activities Coordinator
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Kirsty joined My Sight Notts in 2012 to support the charity with planning and delivering sporting activities including gym and swim sessions, a rambling group, bowling evenings, a Goalball Club and a visually impaired cricket team.
Kirsty’s background is in sports coaching and development, for which she has a diploma completed at South Notts College. She then went onto complete an apprenticeship in activity leadership, which enabled her to complete her gym instructor qualification.
Kirsty moved into her new role as Admin and Activities Coordinator in April 2023. She will oversee the organisation’s social media accounts, organise transport for some of our groups and look at new activities we can add to our programme.
Michele Banton
Shared Vision Coordinator
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Michele started working for My Sight Notts in 2016 as the Peer Support Coordinator.
She left to travel but returned in February 2021 to become our Shared Vision Coordinator. Michele built the service from scratch. The service focuses on the practical and emotional effects of sight loss. It gives you the opportunity to express how you feel, sharing your experiences with others and learning from each other.
Michele delivers the service both face to face and over Zoom.
She also delivers sessions to friends, family and carers of those with sight loss.
Ken Birch
Site Maintenance and Driver
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Ken joined My Sight Notts in 2009 in a part time capacity.
During his time with the charity, Ken has fully fitted out three charity shops and the former head office and carried out the maintenance of these premises on a-day-to-day basis. With a background in vehicle maintenance, Ken is responsible for maintaining our vehicles.
In addition, he delivers donated stock to our charity shops and he also drives service users with sight loss to and from activities.
Ken completed an apprenticeship in the motor trade prior to working with Nottinghamshire Police as a crash investigator.
Sarah Briggs
Sight Loss Advisor (specialising in Equipment)
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Sarah joined My Sight Notts in June 2011 as the Mobile Support Officer, driving the old big blue Mobile Unit around the city and county.
In 2014 Sarah took on more responsibility, becoming the Equipment and Communities Officer and in 2022 a Sight Loss Advisor. She is responsible for the Equipment and Advice Centre, Talking Newspapers, Coffee Mornings and our Social Hubs. She is also responsible for any Children and Young People’s work.
Sarah’s background is in youth and community work and she spent 11 years as a youth worker before coming to My Sight Notts.
Lynne Connelly
Charity Shop Manager
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Lynne joined My Sight Notts as Manager of our Stapleford charity shop in April 2017. She is now the manager of our charity shop in Hockley, Nottingham.
Nicola Cunningham
Cleaner
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Nichola started working for My Sight Notts in 2013 and is responsible for making sure our main building is looking clean and tidy.
Lydia Fenton
Fundraising Manager
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Lydia joined the team a decade ago as one of our charity shop managers. From there she moved into community and events fundraising before taking over as manager of the team in 2010.
She is responsible for the development and delivery of the fundraising strategy for My Sight Nottinghamshire and all aspects of income generation.
Lydia has a strong interest in charity retail operations as well as being personally responsible for applications to local and national funders.
Donna Goldberg
Senior Sight Loss Advisor
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Donna joined My Sight Notts in 2010 to provide administration support including mail outs, database and reception cover.
Donna also co-ordinates the transcription service delivering Braille, large print, audio formats and alternative accessibility solutions in house and for commercial customers.
In April 2023 Donna became the Senior Sight Loss Advisor, moving away from the admin roles and focusing on service delivery. Donna now supports people with tech, oversees the Bigger Picture project and the Digital Accessibility Group.
Donna completed her Degree in Business Studies (Accounting & Finance) in 2007.
Anita Pashley
Referrals Coordinator
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Anita Pashley has been with My Sight Notts since July 2017 working in various volunteer roles before being recruited to the post of Volunteering and My Guide Coordinator in November 2021.
Being a volunteer with many organisations over the last 20 years, has given Anita fulfilment and a sense of satisfaction. Her experience enables Anita to introduce best practice and support our volunteers who are the foundation of My Sight Notts.
In April 2023 Anita’s role changed to Referrals Coordinator. She oversees all referrals that come into the organisation, whether this be a professional or a self-referral. Anita will be the first person that most people come into contact with in the organisation.
Alan Hart
Sight Loss Advisor (specialising in IT)
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Alan joined My Sight Notts in 2010 as IT Support Officer. Before joining us, Alan worked in an IT shop, providing advice and support to customers on hardware and software. He also spent time in an IT company, building bespoke PC solutions for clients. In additional to his wealth of technical knowledge, Alan brings to his role his personal experience as a visually impaired user of technology, which helps him understand and support his clients.
Alan’s award-winning technology service has helped hundreds of local people with sight loss to make the most of technology from desktops to tablets and smart phones. His user-led approach enables people with sight loss to set their own goals and harness the life-changing potential of technology for greater independence.
Alan delivers an IT group, a home-based technology service and he also supports the charity’s IT systems.
Emma Lucas
Services Manager
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Emma joined My Sight Notts in September 2019 as our Services Manager. Emma is responsible for the leadership and development of all of our different services based in the city and across the county.
Emma has extensive experience in service leadership and development, fundraising and community development and has worked in the voluntary and charity sector in the East Midlands for 18 years.
Michelle Spouge
Finance Manager
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Michelle joined My Sight Notts in July 2008 and looks after the charity’s finances, monitors income and expenditure and prepares the accounts for the Trustee Board and for auditing purposes.
Michelle is responsible for procurement and purchasing whilst also overseeing the general day-to-day running of the office. She is also the charity’s Health and Safety Officer.
Michelle previously spent 20 years working in accounting and purchasing for a Nottingham textile company.
Chris White
Eye Clinic Liasion Officer
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Chris joined My Sight Nottinghamshire in 2004 to support the charity with setting up the mobile support service and the Equipment and Support Centre.
Chris then became the first Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) for the charity and is now based at QMC in the macular clinic where he offers front line support to patients with sight loss.
After qualifying as an ECLO, Chris went on to complete a diploma in counselling and has attended many training courses on vision loss and its impact on mental health.
Sue Ridout
Charity Shop Manager
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Sue joined My Sight Notts as Charity Shop Manager and is responsible for our Mapperley shop.
Abbie McPhilbin
Sight Loss Advisor (specialising in IT and Employment Support)
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Abbie joined the My Sight Notts team in March 2023 as our new Employment Advisor.