On Tuesday 6 October, Sandwell Visually Impaired (SVI) joined more than 40 organisations at West Bromwich Town Hall for Celebrate Sandwell 2026. Following the sad and sudden passing of Richard Flatley, leader of Sandwell Networkers, SVI’s former Vice-Chair and the founder of Celebrate Sandwell, the event became an opportunity to celebrate Richard’s life and achievements.
Making Connections
SVI’s information stall attracted plenty of interest, with one new member recruited and others taking away membership packs. Visitors also collected eye health information and enquired about volunteering. The team connected with other organisations, including Citizens Advice, the Department for Work and Pensions and The Art Yard. Our Chair, Tony, who is blind himself, chatted with a man who had recently lost his sight. Tony felt that the man having spoken to someone with lived experience of sight loss, had left with new knowledge, greater confidence and an SVI membership form.
Rocking the Town Hall
A highlight of the day was a performance by 14 members of SVI Rocks and their two guide dogs! Led by Rodrigo Orquera of Misfits Music Institute, the group’s singing, guitar, ukulele and percussion section had the audience particularly energised during Word of Mouth and Proud Mary. Tony said, “With 2 Guide Dogs on stage, the Hound Dog song was very apt.”
Singers Sara and Mr Lal summed up the experience: “Gosh, I really enjoyed that!” Kiran, playing the djembe, reflected: “Isn’t it amazing what a great sound we can make considering we only come together once a week?”
Sandra, our development worker, said, “Performing at such events helps blind and visually impaired people to build confidence and self esteem – it’s good for mental health and their sense of wellbeing. Misfits and Sarah-Ann has helped us to raise awareness of sight loss amongst the general population.” Sandra who is visually impaired herself, went on to say “SVI rocks hope to do more of these types of events”.
Thank You!
SVI thanks Sandwell Networkers, Kaleidoscope Plus Group, Just Straight Talk and everyone who made the event possible. Funding from SCVO Vision2030 supported SVI and Kaleidoscope, while Utilita funded the event T-shirts.
Special thanks go to the event teams and sound crew for creating an accessible, safe and welcoming stage for our musicians and their guide dogs, and to Rodrigo and Misfits Music for helping SVI Rocks thrive.
Article by Sarah-Ann Cromwell
