Meet the Team
Our aim is to enable visually impaired people to maintain their independence.
Claire Park
Chief Executive
About Claire
Claire is responsible for the day to day management of the Charity and works closely with the Board of Trustees to lead the organisation in the provision of services for visually impaired people in the South Lakes area. Claire oversees the fundraising strategy for the charity and works closely with the services manager to ensure grant outcomes are being met.
Email:
claire@sightadvice.org.uk
Amy Pearman
Services Manager
About Amy
Amy is responsible for the management of the project team, who deliver services across South Lakeland. Amy also develops services to ensure we deliver new and innovative opportunities for blind and partially sighted people. Amy is responsible for ensuring grant and funding commitments are monitored and achieved.
Email:
amy@sightadvice.org.uk
Kath Threlkeld
Development Officer, Cumbria Societies for Blind
About Kath
Kath is the Development Officer for Cumbria Societies for the Blind, the consortium of 5 Cumbrian sight loss charities including Sight Advice South Lakes as a member. Kath is responsible for maintaining and development of the consortium. Through this role Kath develops a cohesive approach to the issues that face visually impaired people across Cumbria. Kath sits on several key steering groups to ensure that visually impaired people are represented at the highest level.
Email:
cumbriasocieties@gmail.com
Emma Barker
Finance Officer
About Emma
Emma is responsible to the Director of the Charity for the weekly and monthly financial administration of the Charity and the trading arm of the Charity SLSB Enterprises. Emma works closely with our external accountants in preparing the monthly management accounts.
Email:
emma@sightadvice.org.uk
Alicia Makinson
Children and Young People’s Coordinator
About Alicia
Alicia runs the Children and Young People’s Project and works with children and young people ages 0-18 who have a visual impairment. Alicia is able to offer both practical and emotional support to families. Alicia organises fun and exciting activities for all age groups and encourages a friendly and supportive environment to all within the project.
Email:
alicia@sightadvice.org.uk
Margaret McClure
Sight Support Coordinator
About Margaret
Margaret is based in our centre on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and delivers Positive Steps Information sessions to enable people to maintain their independence. Margaret supports people with combined sight and hearing loss and provides Sight Awareness Training to our volunteers and any interested groups and organisations.
Email:
margaret@sightadvice.org.uk
Aileen Ward
Fundraising Co-ordinator
About Aileen
Aileen oversees the fundraising for Sight Advice South Lakes through creating links with our local community & businesses, supporting community events, assisting our wonderful fundraising volunteers and organising special events.
Email:
aileen@sightadvice.org.uk
Sarah Stoddard
Sight Support Co-ordinator
About Sarah
Sarah shares the role of Sight Support Adviser with Aileen, and works on a Monday and Tuesday. As well as being the first point of contact for all those visiting and calling in to the office on a daily basis, Sarah and Eileen also provide support for other members of the team.
Email:
sarah@sightadvice.org.uk
Becky Cass
Eye Clinic Liaison Officer & Sight Support Adviser
About Becky
Becky Cass started working at Sight Advice in July as the new trainee Eye Clinic Liaison Officer. Becky is based at Westmorland General Hospital in the Macular Clinic and the Eye Clinic where she provides advice to patients and assist them to get help from Sight Advice South Lakes and other sight loss organisations.
Email:
becky@sightadvice.org.uk
Julie Halford
Volunteer Support Officer
About Julie
Julie is responsible for attracting, recruiting and supporting volunteers. The role also involves promoting new volunteer roles, training and development opportunities.
Email:
julie@sightadvice.org.uk
Tim Ward
Assistive technology Co-ordinator
About Tim
Tim is responsible for ensuring that people have access to information and technology that can enhance living with sight loss. This can be magnifiers, screenreaders, talking books, adapted phones, adapted iPads, voice controlled robots such as Amazon Alexa. He can provide support at home, work, community events across South Lakes and at the Bradbury Centre.
Email:
tim@sightadvice.org.uk
Jackie Bateman
Children and Young People’s Coordinator
About Jackie
Jackie is current cover for Alicia, so currently Jackie runs the Children and Young People’s Project and works with children and young people ages 0-18 who have a visual impairment. Alicia is able to offer both practical and emotional support to families. Jackie organises fun and exciting activities for all age groups and encourages a friendly and supportive environment to all within the project.
Email:
jackie@sightadvice.org.uk
Peter Knock
About Peter
To be added…
Thank you to Paul Holland at www.holland-photography.co.uk for providing the photos
Contact Sight Advice
We are always happy to answer any questions or advice we can. Please contact us through our contact page.