There are only 2 days left of Retina UK’s Big Give Christmas Challenge! 😯

If you are considering donating, the Big Give Christmas Challenge is the perfect way to make your donation as it will be doubled - at no extra cost to you: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO.

A woman examines an object with an eye examination machine. Text urges donations for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, highlighting limited time to double contributions. Logos for Retina UK and Big Give are displayed.

We are past the halfway point of the Big Give Christmas Challenge!

We are so grateful for all your support so far so let’s keep it going and reach our record-breaking target! 💷

Please donate today: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO. 🙏

Thank you!

Day 4 of the Big Give Christmas Challenge: Donate today to double your impact. Christmas Challenge and Big Give logos visible.

Double your donation today - at no extra cost to you!

Could you make a festive donation to Retina UK? We have made a fantastic start, but we still need your help! 🫵

Double your generous donation today: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO.

#BigGive

Group of people smiling, gathered around a guide dog. Text reads: "Thank you for all your amazing support so far! Donate today to Retina UK's Big Give Christmas Challenge."

Day 3 is here. We have been blown away by all of your support so far! 🙏

The #BigGive Christmas Challenge is the largest match-funding campaign in the UK and it gives charities like us an opportunity to raise vital funds so please donate today: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO.

Christmas-themed tree with ornaments and a message: "Have you doubled your donation yet? Donate today & help us find treatments for inherited sight loss!"

It is Day 2 of Retina UK’s Big Give Christmas Challenge!

Donations through the Big Give will be doubled, which is vital for charities like us to raise as much funding as we possibly can.

To donate, please use this link: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO. 

Thank you!

Text: "The Big Give Christmas Challenge is now open! Donate today & have your donation doubled - at no extra cost to you!" Background: Lab setting with scientific equipment.

We’re live! The Retina UK Big Give Christmas Challenge is on, and we need your support to hit our biggest target yet. Until 9 Dec at midday, all donations will be doubled—twice the impact! 💷

Give on #GivingTuesday: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO

Photo of a completed candle in a jar with a golden lid. The label on the front says Smokin' Bee. The perfume is honey and tobacco. Also in the picture is a bottle of perfume, a cardboard pot which the candle was mixed in, some pieces of wood with a hole in the middle used to hold the wick in place and stir. They are all sitting on a white piece of paper. In the background you can see a large table and people sitting around it also making candles

What a lovely day at #SomersetHouse in #London with Ambustum.co.uk and @retinauk.bsky.social Peer Support Group. Lots of #Blind peeps making #Candles. What could possibly go wrong. Nothing as it happens😊 #RetinaUK50

Chris McCausland, wearing a blue glove, speaks animatedly. Text: "Chris McCausland: Seeing into the Future" airs on BBC Two, 8pm, 23 Nov 2025.

In "Seeing Into the Future", comedian Chris McCausland reflects on how innovations like AI and assistive tech could change everyday life for people with vision loss.

You can watch now on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002ms0q/chris-mccausland-seeing-into-the-future.

Local peer support groups Retina UK Local Peer Support Groups offer information and support via regular meetings.

Want to learn more about our support groups? Head to our website: https://retinauk.org.uk/information-and-support/services/local-peer-support-groups/

Or interested in volunteering? Drop us an email at volunteering@retinauk.org.uk

#Accessible Green background with a picture centre of Colin and Linda smiling at the camera wearing Retina UK t-shirts shirt. Above is the curved text "Volunteer Spotlight" and below is a blue box with the white text "Colin and Linda McArthur”.

This month, we’re shining a light on husband-and-wife duo Colin and Linda, who run the Isle of Wight Peer Support Group. Colin is also a trustee at Retina UK, and together they’ve organised multiple fundraising events in support of our work.

We’re so grateful for volunteers like Colin and Linda! 💙

Retina UK joins the #BigGive #ChristmasChallenge! From 2–9 Dec, all donations via Big Give will be doubled.

Help fund vital, ground-breaking medical research.

Please donate during the campaign here: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005AYLiYAO.

Green speech bubble on a dark blue background with the text: "Flipping the switch on RP: SparingVision doses patients in their first in-human clinical trial for SPVN20".

SparingVision have announced that they have dosed the first human patients in their phase 1 clinical trial for SPVN20, a gene-agnostic treatment for RP.

Read more: https://retinauk.org.uk/news/flipping-the-switch-on-rp-sparingvision-doses-patients-in-their-first-in-human-clinical-trial-for-spvn20/

#Accessible A photo of some Christmas presents, with the caption: “Double your kind donation to Retina UK - at no extra cost to you!”.

Double your donation to Retina UK in the Big Give Christmas Challenge starting 2 Dec 2025 at midday! 🎁❄️

Learn more: retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/biggive/.

If you plan to support us, contact 01280 815900 or fundraising@RetinaUK.org.uk for a reminder. 💙

#Accessible Dark blue graphic with the title “Coffee Hour with Dr Paul Nderitu!”. Event details read: Thursday 20 Novemberr, 3 – 4 pm, Coffee Junction, 42 Provost Street, London, N1 7SU. On the right side is an image of a coffee cup with froth, and in the corners are logos for NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Moorfields Eye Hospital hosts a Coffee Hour with Dr Paul Nderitu on Thu 20 Nov 2025, 3–4pm at Coffee Junction, London N1. Hear about his AI research for early detection of diabetic eye disease, ask questions, and share views. 

You can find more info here: https://moorfieldsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/events/

#Accessible Centre of the image is a pair of the glasses that are black with purple lenses on a grey background. Above is the text "#TopTechTuesday" and below is the text "Aura Chamelo Smart Sunglasses glasses" in navy.

Today's #TopTechTuesday spotlights Chamelo smart sunglasses with electrochromic lenses that instantly tint at the press of a button, or automatically. Practical, customisable features include light control and integrated audio.

Listen to a summary: https://retinauk.org.uk/resource/toptechtuesday/

centre of the image is the blue text "THANK YOU! That's a wrap! Thank you for watching the Retina UK BBC Lifeline appeal". Top left is the Lifeline logo and bottom right is Retina UK's logo.

Thank you all so much for tuning in to watch the #RetinaUK #BBC #Lifeline appeal 🙏.

If you missed it, don’t worry  as it will be on BBC Two soon! Your support helps us keep assisting those living with inherited sight loss. Please keep spreading the word about Retina UK 💙

BBC One - Lifeline, Retina UK Louisa Lytton presents an appeal on behalf of Retina UK.

Missed it? Catch up on BBC iPlayer afterwards: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mfjd. 💻

#BBCLifelineAppeal #BBCOne
#Accessible Photos of Keith, Ryan and Maria (who are featured in the appeal) are in circles. The caption reads: “Tune in to BBC One at 12:45pm for our BBC Lifeline Appeal!”.

Tune in to BBC One at 12:45pm to enjoy our BBC Lifeline Appeal! 📺

This afternoon, Retina UK and some of our wonderful supporters will be featured on the BBC. 

This is a very proud moment for us, during our special 50th anniversary year and we hope that you can tune in and kindly spread the word. 💙

Today is the day! The #RetinaUK #BBC #Lifeline appeal will be going live at 12.45pm🥳. This is a great opportunity for our charity to gain the exposure we need to continue our vital work. Please tune in today to make this appeal as much of a success it can be. We are grateful for your support.

centre of the image is a circle with a picture of Ryan smiling at the camera wearing a blue shirt. Below is the text "To hear more about Ryan's story, tune in to see the Retina UK BBC Lifeline appeal on BBC one 16/11/2025.

The #RetinaUK #BBC #Lifeline Appeal will be going live tomorrow at 12.45pm! 😀 Every single person who tunes in will be making a massive difference in spreading the word about the great work we do that Retina UK 🧑‍💻. Please tell your friends, family and loved ones to make the appeal a great success.

#Webinar #teamretinauk #Accessible Navy background with title (above) of webinar on the right hand side. Below is a picture of a white clock with “7pm” to its right and a calendar icon (square with a tick inside) with “11 Dec” to its right. On the right is a picture of Prof Marcela Votruba smiling.

Join us for an “Ask the Expert” webinar with Prof Marcela Votruba, Professor of Ophthalmology at Cardiff University and Consultant at University Hospital Wales, where she leads the genetic eye clinic.

Register now: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/webinar-ask-the-expert-with-professor-marcela-votruba/

Sahara Desert Trek 2026 Could you take on an adventure of a lifetime for Retina UK and take part in the Sahara Desert Trek in November 2026?

You can kindly sponsor the team here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/retinauksaharadesert. 💙

Find out more about our 2026 trek: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/sahara-desert-trek-2026. ✈️

A group of people sitting on a sand dune under a clear blue sky at sunset, all wearing casual outdoor clothing and sunglasses.

A group of people stand atop a sand dune under a clear blue sky, some with raised arms, suggesting a celebratory or triumphant moment.

Breaking news from the Sahara - they have done it! 🏜️

Over the past week, 16 incredible Retina UK supporters conquered the desert, raising an amazing £40,000 (including offline gifts)! We are so grateful to them for their inspiring efforts, which will make such a huge difference for our community 💙

Tower Bridge lit up at dusk with event details: "Sight Village London, 18-19 November, 9:30am-3:30pm, ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Rd, London SW6 1UD". Hosted by Retina UK.

We'll be exhibiting at #SightVillage London on the 18 and 19 November!

You'll be able to meet us in person and find out more about what we offer. Pre-registration is available and recommended by calling 0121 803 5313 or by emailing sv@qac.ac.uk.

We look forward to seeing you on the day!

A radio microphone and studio equipment with a text overlay: "RNIB Connect Radio Wants to Hear from You! Details in caption."

RNIB is running a 20-min anonymous survey on how people listen, enjoy, and what could improve.

Closes 24 Nov 2025.

Your feedback shapes RNIB Connect Radio.

Take part: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LT3GTJC or call Nicola 07736 462071. Questions? research@rnib.org.uk / 0303 123 9999

centre of the picture is the blue text "Our life has changed completely since that wonderful first call in a positive way. It was so inspirational in so many ways and encouraged us to come to a peer support group outing of which we did." - Maria. To hear more about Maria's story, tune in to see the Retina UK BBC Lifeline appeal on BBC one 16/11/2025.

On Sunday, 16th November exactly one week today, #RetinaUK will be live on #BBC with our #Lifeline appeal 📺. We are so excited to have this opoprtunity to showcase the work we do and spread awareness of our cause. If you have 10 minutes to spare, please tune in to make the appeal a great success 🧑‍💻.

Two people tandem skydiving against a clear blue sky, with clouds below. The front person smiles widely, arms outstretched.

🎃 This Halloween… it’s time to face your fears! 🪂

Think you’re brave enough to jump from 13,000 feet? Our Spring Skydive takes place in March, but now’s the perfect time to book your place and start fundraising for Retina UK.

Sign up now: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/spring-skydive-2026/

Local peer support groups Retina UK Local Peer Support Groups offer information and support via regular meetings.

Want to learn more about our support groups? Visit: https://retinauk.org.uk/.../local-peer-support-groups.

Or interested in volunteering? Drop us an email at volunteering@retinauk.org.uk

#Volunteering #VolunteerSpotlight

Simon Lakin, a volunteer, stands against a green background. He wears a "Retina UK" t-shirt and is highlighted in a "Volunteer Spotlight."

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight 2025 🌟

This month, we shine a spotlight on Simon Lakin, who is part of our email helpline team. Simon’s support helps our community feel heard and supported every day.

We're so grateful for volunteers like Simon! 🙌💙