Story of Action Coordinator Julie

“Hi, I'm Julie and I am an Action Coordinator. Before I worked for Action I didn't realise the problems that blind and partially sighted people face. I assumed that anyone with a disability was supported by the 'State' - that anyone with a sight problem would automatically receive the help they needed to live an independent life. Sadly this just isn't so.”

Over 90% of older visually impaired people live on less than half the national average income - a widely accepted definition of poverty.

“I don't normally get angry, but this would make anybody mad. I find it hard to accept that in 2007, in one of the richest countries in the world, so many older blind and partially sighted people are left to struggle on or below the poverty line.

“Cold, hunger, isolation, fear, depression, ill health, debt - for many older visually impaired people, these aren’t just words, they are a daily reality. Poverty has a stranglehold on their lives and if we don't take action to help them, no one will.

“I have seen some appalling cases where blind and partially sighted people have struggled on in terrible circumstances, invisible to the many organisations that could make such a difference to their lives.”

“As an Action Coordinator I see first hand the difference we make. No two days are alike, no two people’s needs are the same; it’s the best job in the world.”

“Everyone at Action shares the same passion for the work we do and the part we play in changing people’s lives for the better.”