Celebrating Blindness Awareness Month 2025 with the VICTA Changemakers!
The VICTA Changemakers are taking over the Student Portal throughout Blindness Awareness Month, bringing you the topics that matter to them – to spread awareness of what it’s like living with a sight impairment, the reality, struggles and the triumphs. Whether you have a vision impairment yourself or are looking to learn more about living with sight loss, our team are here to share their stories to connect and inspire.
With topics from accessible sewing, to sports and employability, there is something for everyone. Make sure you stay tuned throughout October and sign up to email updates so that you get the stories straight to your inbox on a Friday.
We will also be sharing across VICTA’s social media channels, so like, follow and subscribe:
Instagram: @VICTAUK
TikTok: @VICTAUK
Facebook: @VICTAUK
LinkedIn: /victauk
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Meet the VICTA Changemaker team of 2025/2026
The Changemakers tell you a little about themselves and the one thing they would like to change about the world. They’d love to know what you would change to, let us know in the comments!
My name is Robin Barayuga…
I work as an Accessibility Specialist for an E-commerce company. I’ve become one of those people who regularly run, some runs are more enjoyable than others still. But looks like I’m keeping it up. If I could change one thing in the world what would it be? For a serious answer, people’s awareness of, and ability to understand the fact that disability doesn’t equate to inability. Some people’s expectations of people with disability is so low, it’s actually quite scary. For a more light-hearted answer, Manchester United’s performance.
Follow Robin…
Instagram: @youraverageblindguy
My name is Lydia Beech…
I am currently taking a year out of education before going to university. During this time, I am waiting for my guide dog, and intending to partake in volunteering opportunities whilst doing some online courses and starting a massage business. I am a singer (both of classical and pop songs) and play goalball. If I could change one thing about the world, everyone would have a basic understanding of all disabilities, which would result in less inaccessibility, and greater acceptance.
My name is Millie-Jayne Britton…
I studied BA Hons Graphic Design and I play showdown for Sheffield Strikers. I would like to break barriers and misconceptions, we are not limited because of our blindness but we are also not superheroes… I wish I had these super powers everyone thinks I have.
My name is Alex Day…
I am currently studying a mental health degree at university. A fun fact about me is that concerts are my happy place. If I could change something in the world I would try to improve mental health services and specifically for ages 18-25 as they seem to fall into a void with no support at all.
Follow Alex…
TikTok: @Thrive.Beyond.Limits
My name is James Ellis…
I’m a marketing student and a fun fact about me is that I got interviewed on BBC News following a project I did at college. If I could change one thing in the world, I would change people’s perception of disability and awareness.
My name is Amy Griffin…
I am currently studying music production and A level history at college. A fun fact about myself is I am pitch perfect, and I love playing the piano and singing. One thing I would like to change is that I would like to make museums and galleries more accessible for blind and visually impaired people.
My name is Tilly Hayward…
I have a passion to help people and I am also qualified in health and social care which I studied at college. I am determined and passionate to ensure I can help others feel less alone.
My name is Johnathan He…
I am 18 years old and am about to start my studies at college for psychology and sociology. A fun fact about me is that I love to learn different things: skills, information, anything. Give me something and I’d either know it already, or will learn it just to prove a point. If I could change one thing in the world, I’d like to give people knowledge. Knowledge solves conflicts in a way nothing else can. This extends not just to blindness, but to all aspects of life.
My name is Adam James…
I present the evening show on Cheshire’s Mix56 Monday – Wednesday 6-8. I love radio and have been presenting for over 7 years presenting over 700 shows across three different stations. If I could change one thing in the world it would be designing cities for everyone – not just wheelchair ramps, but clear signage, better lighting, and spaces that are navigable for people with visual impairments too.
Follow Adam…
Listen back to the show: https://mix56.co.uk/catch-up
Instagram: @adamjamesradio
My name is Ravi Nagardas…
Hey, my name is Ravi, and I currently work in tax. I am a big Arsenal fan and hope this year is our year! One thing I would change about the world is, travelling abroad to be part of the school curriculum.
My name is Evelyne Rose Roche…
I love fashion, from designing and making my own clothes, to styling different outfits in creative and fun ways. If I could change one thing about the world, it would be to ensure true equality, where all people, regardless of gender, race, or background, even animals, are given equal opportunity and love.
Follow Evelyne…
Instagram: @evelyne.roche_
TikTok: @evelyne_.rose_
My name is Ruqayyah Ullah…
Hi my name is Ruqayyah I am a freelance Forest School Assistant. The love, joy and wonder of 0-5 ages children is indescribable. My days are full of play, wonder and creativity oh and mess, mess mess and more mess. A fact about me is I can’t stand when people make comparisons; themselves to someone else or others. If I could change one thing in the world, hypothetically, it would be the entire system, enough said.
My name is Ellie Walsh…
I am a university student studying media and performance. A fun fact about me is I work as a scare actor and have been performing my whole life.
Something I would like to change in the world is movie and TV stereotypes about blind and visually impaired people.
My name is Zehra Yunel…
I am currently studying Law at University of Sussex. I enjoy activities such as rock climbing and water sports. If I could change one thing in the world, it would be creating a fully inclusive society for people with disabilities, one that includes accessibility by design and ensures that disabled young people have equal opportunities.
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