Thank you to everyone who has booked for SVI’s annual forum on 16 November 2026. A special thanks too, to everyone who has volunteered to help out on the day.
The full programme and a list of exhibitors is available below. We’ve also added a Word and Pdf version of the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements, which you can download if you wish.
Programme
Sandwell Visually Impaired CIO (SVI) Annual Forum
On: Monday 16 November from 9.30am to 3pm
At: Portway Lifestyle Centre, Newbury Lane, Oldbury B69 1HE
09.30am Registration, refreshments and exhibit stands
10.30am Welcome by Tony Averis, Chair of SVI
10.40am Opening address by The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Margaret Sutton
10.50am Chair’s and Treasurer’s Reports ‑ including Statement of Accounts by Kate Wright from Fortuna Accountants.
11.30am Appointment of Accountants 2026/2027
11.40am Refreshment break
12.00pm Election of Trustees and tribute to Richard Flatley
12 15pm Guest speaker 1 – Shafiq Ahmed, retired Social Worker– “Journey of learning English without page 3!”
12.30pm Guest speaker 2 – Russ Stephenson, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer
1.00pm Closing address, announcements and thanks
1.10pm Lunch
1.45pm Raffle draw
2.00pm Browse exhibition stands and micro workshops
3.00pm Close
Exhibitors
We welcome the following exhibitors:
- Beacon Centre
- Blind Veterans UK
- Community Safety and Hate Crime reporting
- Healthwatch Sandwell
- Humanware
- Outreach Library Service (Sandwell Councl)
- Sandwell Talking News
- Sensory Services (Sandwell Council)
- Serco
- South Staffs Water
- Welfare Rights Sandwell (Sandwell Council)
- Vision Aid
- Wonder in Nature
