A unique chance to transform opportunities for children and young people with vision impairment
We are proud to launch a new initiative, led by the Powell Family Foundation, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Fight for Sight, designed to transform our understanding of services and resources available to children and young people with vision impairment (CYP with VI) in the UK. This programme will deliver a comprehensive mapping of services and user facing resources nationwide, supported by rigorous provider verification through surveys, targeted engagement and follow up interviews. By working closely with partners and drawing on rich demographic and contextual analysis, we will build a clearer picture of the local and national landscape. The findings will be brought together into accessible, practical outputs that will equip the sector with the evidence needed to drive informed decision making and strengthen support for CYP with VI.
Why are we doing this?
The programme was formed in response to long standing challenges:
• fragmented provision,
• inconsistent access to specialist support,
• gaps in resources and coordinated pathways, particularly at key life transitions.
Across the sector, available support and resources provide valuable assistance to CYP with VI. However, existing research confirms that factors such as ongoing budgetary pressures, a lack of suitably qualified staff in some areas, and the challenges of engaging with a diverse and thinly spread population result in a disparity of services. This means that CYP with VI are often not getting access to the support and information they need, when and where they need it. These challenges present a clear opportunity to drive strategic change through coordinated investment and sector collaboration. The programme aims to accelerate sector-wide improvement by working with national and local organisations. A core focus is to put lived experience at the heart of this project and to ensure the funding is evidence-led.
How will this be achieved?
The three partners are looking to collectively invest significant funding in a new programme over a five-year period. In addition, Guide Dogs, RNIB and Visionary (representing local sight loss charities) are working closely with the programme.
To inform where best to allocate shared resources, the programme is commissioning a UK wide mapping of services, resources, and unmet needs for CYP with VI (age 0 – 25). The aim is to better understand the gaps in resources and pathways, particularly at key life transitions.
This work will provide an evidence base to inform strategic investment, highlight potential improvements in provision, and support the development of further work to improve wellbeing, independence, and access to services.
What happens next?
Birch Tree Associates has been appointed to deliver this initial research and mapping phase. They bring deep expertise in vision impairment, social research, and sector wide service mapping, with a track record of producing high quality, practical evidence for strategic decision making.
The programme of work will involve:
• A comprehensive UK wide mapping of services and user facing resources.
• A UK-wide map which identifies services and resources available to CYP.
• Provider verification through surveys, targeted engagement, and follow up interviews.
• Working with partners to understand CYP services (mainly generated through surveys).
• Demographic and contextual analysis to support interpretation of findings.
• Bringing evidence together which offers an understanding of the local context for CYP services.
• Clear, accessible outputs including an interactive map, structured dataset, and final report which will be shared with sector partners and used to inform decision making.
Matthew Lee and Dr Nicky Shaw will lead the process with additional capacity drawn from their associate network.
How can you help?
Sector engagement and bringing in the voice of lived experience will be critical throughout this research phase and beyond, and the findings will inform the development of future workstreams and allocation of funding.
Organisations across the sector will be invited to participate in verification and engagement activities, ensuring the final evidence base reflects the breadth and diversity of provision and providers across the UK, and that resulting investment can be focussed to include relevant partners across the sector.
If you would like to know more or have any questions, please see our FAQs (below) or contact the CYP Programme Lead, Alison Oliver, at alisonoliver.consulting@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the CYP with VI Funding Programme?
The CYP with VI Funding Programme is a joint initiative led by the Powell Family Foundation, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Fight for Sight, all of whom are funders in the sight loss sector. Its purpose is to transform understanding of services and resources available to children and young people with vision impairment (CYP with VI) across the UK.
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What is this programme aiming to achieve?
This programme aims to build a clear, evidence based understanding of the services, resources and pathways available to children and young people with vision impairment (CYP with VI) across the UK. By mapping provision and identifying gaps, the programme will support better decision making, more coordinated investment, and ultimately improved outcomes for CYP with VI and their families.
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Why is this initiative needed?
The Programme was formed in response to longstanding challenges in the sector. The sight loss sector has long recognised challenges such as fragmented provision, inconsistent access to specialist support, and gaps at key life transitions. These issues are compounded by budget pressures and workforce shortages. A coordinated, UK wide evidence base has been missing. This programme responds directly to that need, aiming to provide clarity on what exists, where gaps lie, and where investment can have the greatest impact.
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How does this differ from previous initiatives?
While valuable research and mapping have been carried out in the past, they have often been localised, thematic, or time limited with a focus more on needs rather than developing a clear picture of existing services. Previous data may also be out of date. The programme is designed to build on, not duplicate, existing research. Where relevant work already exists, it will be incorporated, verified and expanded. The aim is to consolidate fragmented information into a single, reliable, UK wide resource that has not previously existed at this scale or level of detail. This programme is unique in its scale, its UK wide scope, its focus on CYP aged 0–25, and its commitment to verified, up to date data. It also brings together multiple partners to ensure the work is sector owned and sector informed.
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What will the outputs look like?
It will map services, resources, and unmet needs for CYP with VI aged 0–25 across the UK. This includes:
• A UK wide map of services and resources
• Provider verification through surveys, engagement, and interviews
• Demographic and contextual analysis
• A structured dataset and final report
These will be accessible, practical tools to support decision making and strategic investment. -
Who is delivering the research?
Birch Tree Associates has been appointed to lead the initial research and mapping phase. They bring expertise in vision impairment, social research and service mapping.
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How long will the programme run?
The three partners intend to invest in a new programme over an estimated five year period. This initial mapping phase, estimated to run to Summer 2026, will inform how resources are allocated across that timeframe.
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Which organisations are involved?
The core partners are:
• Powell Family Foundation
• Thomas Pocklington Trust
• Fight for Sight
Guide Dogs, RNIB and Visionary are also working closely with the core partners, representing national and local perspectives. -
Does the programme include all types of vision impairment?
Yes. The programme is inclusive of all levels and types of vision impairment, including congenital and acquired conditions, and aims to recognise the diversity of needs across the CYP population.
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How will lived experience be included?
Lived experience is central to the programme. The mapping phase will inform how we engage with CYP, families, and those who support them in future workstreams to help ensure the findings reflect real world experiences and priorities.
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What practical benefits will this deliver for CYP with VI and their families?
The programme will help ensure that CYP with VI receive the right support at the right time. By identifying gaps and inconsistencies, the findings will inform strategic investment, strengthen pathways, and support the development of new or improved services. Families and professionals will benefit from clearer information and more coordinated provision. The evidence base will guide future investment by the collaboration partners and support sector‑wide planning. It will also help organisations identify opportunities for improvement, collaboration, and innovation. The outputs will be shared to support transparency and collective action and to support future work to enhance wellbeing, independence and access to services for CYP with VI.
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How will you ensure collaboration rather than competition?
The programme is intentionally collaborative. National and local organisations are being engaged from the outset, and the findings will be shared openly. The goal is to strengthen the sector as a whole, not to compete with or replace existing services.
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How can organisations get involved?
Sector engagement is essential. Organisations will be invited to participate in surveys, verification activities, and follow up conversations and will be contacted directly to participate from April 2026.
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What is expected of providers who participate?
Participation may involve completing a short survey, confirming details about services, and potentially taking part in a follow‑up conversation. The process is designed to be proportionate and respectful of providers’ capacity.
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What geographical areas are included?
The mapping covers the whole of the UK. This includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring a consistent national picture.
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What age range does the programme focus on?
The programme covers children and young people with vision impairment aged 0–25. This reflects the importance of early intervention, education, transitions into adulthood, and the need for continuity across these stages.
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How will data be verified?
Verification will be carried out through:
- Provider surveys
- Targeted engagement
- Follow‑up interviews
This ensures accuracy and reduces reliance on unverified or outdated information.
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How will you reach under represented groups or rural areas?
The programme includes targeted engagement to ensure representation across geography, ethnicity, socio‑economic background, and levels of need as far as possible. This includes working with local charities, community groups and specialist networks.
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How will you ensure the programme is inclusive and accessible?
Accessibility is a core principle. All outputs will be designed to meet accessibility standards, and engagement activities will be tailored to ensure participation from diverse groups, including those who may face additional barriers.
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Will this create additional workload for already stretched services?
Whilst the questionnaire has been designed to minimise burden, it will take a small amount of time to complete. If you have any questions when completing the questionnaire, please contact hello@birchtreeassociates.co.uk for support.
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Is this a step toward centralising or restructuring services?
No. The programme is not about restructuring services. Its purpose is to understand the current landscape and support better coordination and investment. Decisions about service delivery remain with local and national providers.
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How will you avoid raising expectations that can’t be met?
The partners are committed to transparency. While the mapping will highlight gaps, it will also provide a realistic foundation for prioritising investment and planning future work. The programme does not promise immediate solutions but aims to enable more effective long‑term change in a selection of targeted areas.
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Will the findings be publicly available?
Yes. The programme will produce accessible outputs including an interactive map, a structured dataset, and a final report. These will be shared with sector partners and made available more widely to support transparency and informed decision‑making.
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Who should I contact for more information?
Enquiries can be directed to the CYP Programme Lead, Alison Oliver, at alisonoliver.consulting@gmail.com.
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