Birmingham charity unites 15+ organisations to help people with sight loss, disability and mental health needs find support

Caption: Focus Birmingham service users enjoying time together at the charity’s Harborne centre.

Dave Heeley MBE DL, the internationally recognised blind marathon runner and long-standing advocate for people with sight loss, will open an event involving more than 15 organisations in Birmingham on 7th August. The event is to help people living with sight loss and their families, carers and supporters access advice, support and local services. 

Organised by Focus Birmingham, the Harborne-based charity supporting people with visual impairments and complex disabilities, the free Wellbeing Day will feature information stalls, talks and drop-in sessions covering mental health with MIND, Grounded and James’ Place, scam awareness with Birmingham Trading Standards, accessible exercise, kitchen skills and guided meditation.

Visitors will also be able to speak directly with organisations including Guide Dogs, Macular Society, Deafblind UK and Midland Mencap, as well as find out about support and social groups available across Birmingham. The event is free to attend and organisers are encouraging people to pre-register. 

During the event, Dave Heeley MBE DL, will share his own experience of resilience, adapting to change and challenging assumptions about what is possible.

This year’s Wellbeing Day forms part of the second year of Focus Birmingham’s Deep Engagement health inequalities project with Birmingham City Council Public Health. Through focus groups and conversations, people living with sight loss have helped Focus better understand the mental health and wellbeing challenges facing the community and shape what the day should offer.

One message came through particularly strongly: meeting others who understand the realities of sight loss can be just as important as receiving information or practical advice. People said peer support can reduce isolation, build confidence, create friendships and offer reassurance, directly influencing a programme that combines talks, activities and advice with opportunities to socialise and share experiences.

For many people, the first instinct after a diagnosis or significant change in their sight is to search online for answers. But when someone is already worried, a maze of conflicting information can leave them overwhelmed and still no clearer about where to turn.

The day will also look beyond the immediate impact of a diagnosis. Changes to confidence, daily routines, friendships and someone’s sense of connection can be just as significant, yet easily overlooked when support is spread across different organisations and services.

Cate Burke, CEO of Focus Birmingham, said: “When people come to Focus, they have already taken an important first step in finding the support they need. We can help directly in some areas and signpost them to others.

“But not everyone knows where to turn first. They may have received a diagnosis or reached a point where everyday life is becoming harder, and suddenly they are expected to work it all out for themselves.

“That isn’t good enough. People deserve the chance to sit down with someone who understands, ask questions without feeling rushed and hear from others who have been through something similar.

“We cannot provide every answer ourselves, but we can bring the right people together and make it easier to find the support that is already out there.

“We want people to leave with useful information, new connections and greater confidence that there are people and services around them.”

Next month’s Wellbeing Day builds on the success of previous events and will be the biggest yet, with more than double the number of organisations taking part compared with the first event and attendance expected to increase.

The event will be held at Queen Alexandra College in Harborne, a specialist college supporting people with sight loss and disabilities, making it a fitting venue for a day dedicated to bringing people, information and support together.

Wellbeing Day takes place on Friday 7 August 2026, from 11am to 2pm.

Attendance is free, but places should be reserved in advance at: 

https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/Event/wellbeing-day-2026

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About Focus Birmingham

Focus Birmingham is an independent local charity providing information, advice, support and care for people living with sight loss and complex disabilities across Birmingham and the wider area.

Its services include specialist sight loss support, information and advice, community-based services, activities, befriending and supported living, helping people maintain their independence, stay connected and access the support they need.

For more information, visit: https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/

Wellbeing Day 2026

Focus Birmingham’s Wellbeing Day takes place on Friday 7 August 2026, from 11am to 2pm.

The event is free to attend, but places should be reserved in advance at:https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/Event/wellbeing-day-2026

Venue

Queen Alexandra CollegeCourt Oak RoadHarborneBirminghamB17 9TG

Queen Alexandra College is a specialist further education college supporting young people with disabilities, including visual impairment.

Media enquiries

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