Service User participation groups

At Action we need to know what visually impaired people think of our services. We want to make sure that we offer the kind of services that people want and need, rather than what we think they need.

Service User Participation helps us to develop by gaining a better understanding of the issues that visually impaired people face and to represent them accordingly.

This means listening to you and working with you, the people who actually use our services. It means getting your opinions and involving you in our decision making.

“How can I get involved?”

There are several different ways - you can choose whichever works best for you :

Join a Service User Participation Group
You will meet with staff from our teams to discuss and influence the development of local services, as well as getting involved in national projects. Joining a group is also a good way to find out more about our services if you have not already used them.

Or join our Virtual Group and help us online.
In becoming a member you will be contacted by email approximately once a month and asked to have a look at something we’re working on, telling us what you think. You will be able to do this from your own computer so there is no need to do any travelling and the tasks should take no more than 30 minutes per month of your time.

Complete a survey or questionnaire
If you do not have the time to attend regular group meetings, this might be the ideal way to participate. Surveys will be provided in the format that you require.

Help us recruit the right staff
It is our policy to have a Service User on staff recruitment panels. As well as helping us to secure the right staff, this is a great opportunity to gain an understanding of recruitment from the point of view of the employer. This could be particularly helpful if you are looking for work.

The opportunity to join our central pool of Service Users
The “Central Service User Pool” consists of people who have used a range of our services. Members of this group work with Action on projects that have a national impact, such as testing our website, developing publications and planning for conferences. Joining the Central Service User Pool may involve some travelling.

Action for Blind People’s Mission:
“To inspire change and create opportunities to enable blind and partially sighted people to have equal voice and equal choice.”