Making the world wider: our impact
We're a small charity with a big, big community around us. And every year, that community does something remarkable.
Together we’re supporting more people than ever – with a greater choice of technology, more routes to access our help, and new services for children and families. Behind every device we give, there's a story. We'll let those do the talking…
Our impact in numbers
People received our tech and support last year. More people asking. More people getting the support they deserve.
People in the Visably community to date. Nearly a century of building something bigger together.
More devices given by Visably last year. Making the world wider and brighter in countless ways.
Impact Report 2025
Find out more about what we achieved last year. Our Impact Report is available to read, download or listen to as a full audio version, chaptered for easy navigation.
Impact Report 2025 - Impact Report 2025 (Audio)
Unlocking possibility one life at a time: Our services
We exist for that moment it all clicks. Last year we gave our free, easy tech to more than double the number of people we did two years ago. That reach is driven by our strongest ever connections with charities, schools, and health and social care professionals nationwide
But our support didn’t end there. Our small team was also able to offer more one-to-one advice and support to help people get the most from their new device. Led by what people tell us they need, today, we embrace a whole range of personal tech—radios, yes, but also smart speakers, tablets, e-book readers and more.
Our services in 2025
partner organisations referred people into our services
support calls made, growing confidence and belief with our tech
of people surveyed rated their experience of our services as good or very good
Connection, community, camaraderie: Ian's story
Finding a way to his sight loss was non-negotiable for Ian, a self-described doer. “I just want to get on with life and enjoy it as best I can.”
With the right tech, Ian's still in the stands cheering on his beloved Bristol Rovers with his footie family.
Read Ian's story
A future that’s better—for all of us: Our work with children & families
Every child living with sight loss deserves the same opportunities, experiences and pleasures as their peers. However, many of the parents of children with sight loss we speak to describe the sheer effort required to navigate a fragmented and confusing system.
Last year we supported more under-18s than ever before. And we did it together with our incredible sector—working closely with partners like VICTA and Healthworks to target support where it is most needed.
Our young people's services in numbers
iPads given to young people most in need of our support through our pilot project with Healthworks
We supported 5 times more young people under the age of 18 than the previous year
Life in full colour: Chip & Lori’s story
For the first two years of his life, Charles - or Chip to his loved ones - spent more time in hospital than at home. Chip’s vision is one of many things impacted by his disabilities.
With the help of some free tech from Visably, Chip’s life is vibrant, full and connected. “His disabilities aren’t his limit,” mum Lori says. “They're part of who Chip is. His life is full of colour: just in a different way. He’s funny, clever, determined, and full of joy.”
Watch Chip using his iPad from Visably
Independence through tech: our AI glasses project
Together with Liverpool-based charity Bradbury Fields, we gathered a focus group of people living with sight loss to explore the benefits of AI smart glasses for our community.
Our iPad project with Healthworks
Last year we launched our second iPad pilot project, working with Newcastle-based community health charity Healthworks to target our support to those in the greatest financial need.
Transforming what we do: our research
Last year, guided by independent research, we took our first steps towards building our richest-ever services.
Hundreds of people living with or caring for someone with sight loss shared their tech needs, wants, hopes and frustrations in our study with nfpResearch. The results painted a picture of technology, not just as a practical tool, but as an emotional and social lifeline—a key to independence, connection and wellbeing. Despite the potential of tech though, our research also showed how gaps in accessibility, hefty price tags and patchy support mean too many people are missing out.
In direct response, we’ve started to build what will become a nationwide network of tech support services and hubs. Powered by volunteers and created in partnership, our new services will complement the brilliant work already happening in the sector.
Explore our research
Our future
We're a small charity with a big heart and an even bigger community beside us. Discover how we're working with our community to transform our service offer in direct response to what people living with sight loss have told us they want and need.
Read our vision and strategyYour gift. Their breakthrough.
- £
£5 - Could provide free information and resources to use tech
Donate now£10 - Helps ensure we're on the phone for anyone who needs us
Donate now£20 - Could train a volunteer to help make lives brighter with tech
Donate nowWhatever you choose to give makes the world wider and brighter
Donate now- £
£30 - Could welcome someone to one of our pilot tech support groups
Donate now£75 - Could give someone free tech that opens up their world
Donate now£130 - Could provide ongoing support from trained experts
Donate nowWhatever you choose to give makes the world wider and brighter
Donate now