Martin Wilson, a champion of the Visually Impaired (Sight Support Derbyshire)

Martin Sykes is the Chair of Trustees of the Long Eaton & District Talking Newspaper and knows only too well that referrals are the life blood for any Talking Newspaper.

When somebody begins to have sight issues, they often contact an organisation like Sight Support Derbyshire who send Michaela Brough or Rachel Curran to visit them and to have a conversation about aids and help that is available for them.

Often during that conversation Talking Newspapers are mentioned.

Following that visit, Martin or Jonathon Wolff from the Derby Talking Newspaper often receive an email from them with the potential listeners contact details which are always followed up swiftly. There are many who have become Talking Newspaper listeners, because of Sight Support Derbyshire (SSD). 

Martin Wilson, the Chair of Trustees of SSD, told Martin S that Sight Support Derbyshire began back in 1914 and was basically the brainchild, of the 9th Duke of Devonshire as well as other important people in Derby who got together and realised that after the age of 12, there was no provision for blind children whatsoever.  Those blind children were almost on the scrap heap of society. So, the Derbyshire Association for the Blind was created.

World War One began on 28th July 1914 and in addition to the needs of blind children at that time, there were also soldiers coming back from the front blinded by Mustard Gas who needed help. That help was extended to cover the vision impaired population, which is what SSD do now. 

The current Duke of Devonshire continues to be their Patron, and the charity continues to go from strength to strength. Martin W has worked for SSD since July 2003 (22 years). He had retired from Rolls-Royce in July2003 and was sitting at home in his lounge, minding his own business, reading the Times, which in those days was a broadsheet so he could hide behind it. His wife was sitting next to him reading the Derby Telegraph, when she said, “This will suit you.”  “Yes dear,” he continued reading the paper. 

“The Derbyshire Association for the Blind want a driver for their big resources van, and you love driving, so get yourself down there,” she said.  

So off he went and ended up driving their mobile resource centre all over Derbyshire. Martin remembers that it was a great vehicle, carrying lots of leaflets, pamphlets, equipment and an on-board generator so they could make a cup of coffee, but more importantly they could demonstrate equipment like talking microwaves, electronic magnifiers and so on. 

Six years after joining, (2009) he became a member of the board and then two years later, Bill Carpenter, the then chairman retired, and Martin took over from him as chairman and has been in that position for 14 years since 2011. All Trustee board members are volunteers, and they attend six board meetings a year, which include presentations from the chief executive officer and financial manager.

But for Martin, it's more important that the trustees don't just attend those meetings, they also play an active role as best they can in the organisation. He has encouraged other people to get involved in other activities, like collecting boxes, stuffing envelopes, being involved with outside activities, fundraising and so on. SSD have around 23 paid employees, and they’re not all full-time. 

The company is essentially run by the CEO and the staff, but the Trustees are always there to support, to oversee and do what they can to help.