Devon in Sight

What Devon in Sight does

Devon in Sight (legally Devon County Association for the Blind, registered charity No. 1140978) is an independent sight loss charity founded in 1925 and headquartered at Splatford Barton, Kennford, Exeter, UK. The charity serves blind and partially sighted people across Devon, together with their families, friends, carers, and the healthcare professionals who support them. Its service portfolio is organised around four pillars: Information, Advice and Guidance (including a Mon–Fri 10am–2pm helpline on 01392 876 666); Independent Living (equipment, training, Employment Hub, Living Well with Sight Loss events); Health and Wellbeing (emotional support, counselling, clinical trials signposting); and Influencing Change (advocacy via the Devon Sight Loss Forum). Supporting programmes include the Children and Young People's Counselling Service, multi-format In Vision magazine, and the monthly Sight Loss Speaker Seminars (77+ sessions delivered since November 2020).

The charity operates from standard office IT and client databases rather than proprietary technology platforms; it draws on assistive technology partnerships with providers such as Sight & Sound Technology and Humanware for beneficiary-facing equipment. It holds Matrix Standard accreditation for information, advice and guidance quality and is registered with the Fundraising Regulator.

Devon in Sight is staffed by approximately 8 employees, supplemented by an Access to Work Access Assistant providing visual support to a staff member. Its business model is community-led: services are free to beneficiaries, funded through a mix of individual donations, community fundraising (notably the flagship Race Across Devon event), corporate partnerships, legacies and planned giving, membership subscriptions, and grants from trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies. Core service delivery is jointly commissioned by Devon County Council and NHS Devon, with the charity acting as a key referral partner for the West of England Eye Unit, RNIB, and a broad network of opticians, ECLOs, and voluntary sector organisations across the South West.

Name

Devon in Sight

Legal name

Devon County Association for the Blind

Website

https://devoninsight.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Devon in Sight is a Devon-based independent sight loss charity, founded in 1925, providing free information, advice, independent living, health and wellbeing, and advocacy services to blind and partially sighted people, their families, carers, and healthcare professionals across the county.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Sight Loss Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)

Keywords

• Sight loss support
• Visual impairment charity
• Independent living services
• Disability advocacy
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Exeter

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Devon in Sight relies on charitable donations from individuals, corporate partners, and community fundraisers. Fundraising events include Race Across Devon, individual challenges (walking, running), corporate fundraising partnerships, and community events. The charity also receives donations through its JustGiving pages and direct giving programmes.
2. Grant Funding: The charity pursues grant funding through trusts, foundations, and government commissioning for specific service programmes. A Grants Officer (Lisa Gould) manages funding applications. Services are commissioned jointly by Devon County Council and NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group.
3. Membership Subscriptions: Devon in Sight offers a Voting Membership scheme. Members participate in governance and receive the In Vision magazine. A Membership Secretary (Elizabeth Twining) manages the membership programme.
4. Legacies and Planned Giving: The charity actively encourages supporters to leave legacies (bequests) as a long-term funding stream, marketed under 'Leaving a Lasting Legacy'.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Local businesses sponsor events (Race Across Devon), provide services, or make corporate donations in exchange for association with the charity. A corporate partnership programme is offered with an 'Ultimate Guide to Corporate Support'.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Devon in Sight is Devon's leading independent sight loss charity providing holistic services to people who are blind or partially sighted across Devon, UK. Core offerings span Information, Advice and Guidance; Independent Living (equipment and training); Health and Wellbeing (emotional support, counselling); and Influencing Change (advocacy). Supporting programmes include a telephone helpline, Living Well with Sight Loss events, Employment Hub, Children and Young People's Counselling Service, the In Vision magazine, and monthly Sight Loss Speaker Seminars. All services are free at the point of use, funded through donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

Devon in Sight operates as a single integrated charity providing holistic sight loss services across Devon, UK. The core service portfolio includes four main areas: Information, Advice and Guidance Service, Independent Living Service, Health and Wellbeing Service, and Influencing Change. Supporting these core services are specialized programs including the Devon Sight Loss Forum (community advocacy), Employment Hub (partnership with Thomas Pocklington Trust), Children and Young People's Counselling Service, Emotional Support Service, Living Well with Sight Loss Events, Sight Loss Speaker Seminars, and the In Vision Magazine publication. The organization also runs flagship fundraising events including Race Across Devon. All services are delivered through a combination of staff teams, volunteers, and partner organizations, with the helpline (01392 876 666) serving as a primary access point.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Information, Advice and Guidance Service Free practical information, advice and guidance service for people who are blind or partially sighted in Devon, providing help to live life to the full. Delivered via telephone helpline, in-person, and online; holds Matrix Standard accreditation.
• Independent Living Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 77 monthly telephone speaker seminars delivered since November 2020, educating hundreds of beneficiaries and professionals on sight loss topics
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Libraries Unlimited South WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight has partnered with Libraries Unlimited South West to provide access to library services and resources for people with sight loss, enhancing community connectivity and information access.
• Thomas Pocklington TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight provides an Employment Hub through a partnership with Thomas Pocklington Trust's 'Works for Me' programme, supporting people with sight loss in pursuing paid employment or career changes. Maria Moorhouse is Thomas Pocklington Trust's Local Employment Coordinator working with Devon in Sight.
• Sight & Sound TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationDevon in Sight has a unique partnership arrangement with Sight and Sound Technology, the UK's leading provider of equipment, software and services for people who are blind and partially sighted. They provide assistive technology updates and support through speaker seminars and referrals.
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRNIB is a national partner providing campaigns, technology support, and peer networks. Devon in Sight works with RNIB's Technology for Life team and ECLOs. Tricia Sail (Devon Sight Loss Forum member) works as Community Connections Coordinator for RNIB Devon. Devon in Sight was featured on RNIB Connect Radio.
• Huxter and Davy OpticiansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHuxter and Davy Opticians (branches in Padstow, Looe, Torpoint, Kingsbridge) undertook a 10,000km challenge in 2026 to raise awareness and funds for Devon in Sight and iSight Cornwall, representing the 10,000 people registered with sight loss in Devon and Cornwall.
• iSight CornwallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint fundraising partner with Devon in Sight for the Huxter and Davy Opticians 10,000km challenge. Both charities serve people with sight loss in the South West.
• VisionarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight is a member of Visionary, the membership body for local sight loss charities in the UK. Visionary provides networking, resources, and awards (Devon in Sight won the Visionary Customer Excellence Award in 2025).
• Devon and Torbay Visual Impairment Network (DVIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight participates in the Devon and Torbay Visual Impairment Network, a coordination body for visual impairment services in the region.
• South West Associations Network (SWAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight helped establish SWAN, a network for local sight loss charities in the South West, enabling collaboration and shared learning across the region.
• National TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight participated in a pilot of Navilens, a pioneering navigational app for partially sighted visitors, at National Trust Saltram House in Plymouth — the first outdoor cultural site in the UK to trial the technology. Partnership aims to increase access to nature and heritage for blind and partially sighted people.
• Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free home safety visits for people with sensory issues. Devon in Sight refers clients to the fire service's home safety programme as part of its independent living support.
• Devon County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon County Council jointly commissions Devon in Sight services along with NHS Devon. The Sensory Team (managed by Alyson Badnell) provides rehabilitation officers for people with sight loss. The Connecting You Project addresses transport and loneliness. Also partners via the Devon Visual Impairment Network.
• NHS Devon / NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS Devon jointly commissions Devon in Sight services alongside Devon County Council. Partnership ensures integration with the health system care pathway for sight loss.
• Great Western Railway (GWR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Western Railway works with Devon in Sight to raise awareness of accessible rail travel including Passenger Assist, Try a Train, Devon Access Wallet Scheme, and Travel Sensory Packs. Robin Owen, Accessibility Mentor at GWR, has spoken at Devon in Sight speaker seminars.
• Healthwatch DevonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthwatch Devon, the independent consumer champion for health and social care services, partners with Devon in Sight on sight loss service advocacy. Dr Kevin Dixon, Chair of Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, has spoken at speaker seminars.
• Age UK DevonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight partnered with Age UK Devon for a telephone speaker seminar in March 2026. Age UK provides services for older people (50+) including information, advice, and practical support that complement sight loss services.
• ECOE AdviceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECOE Advice (Exeter Community Energy) provides free energy advice and support for households. Devon in Sight refers clients to ECOE's drop-in hubs across Devon to address fuel poverty and home energy for people with sight loss.
• Devon CarersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon Carers (provided by Westbank, commissioned by Devon County Council and NHS Devon) provides support and assessments to unpaid carers across Devon. Partnership ensures carers of people with sight loss are connected to appropriate support.
• Living Options DevonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiving Options Devon supports people with long-term health conditions, disabilities, and deaf people (where BSL is their first language). Devon in Sight collaborates to ensure comprehensive support for people with complex needs.
• SpaMedicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaMedica is one of the leading NHS ophthalmology service providers and the largest NHS cataract provider in the UK since 2018. Dan Lewis, Senior Service Promotions Executive at SpaMedica Exeter, has spoken at Devon in Sight telephone speaker seminars to educate beneficiaries about NHS eye services.
• West of England Eye Unit (Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe West of England Eye Unit in Exeter is a key healthcare partner. Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) Tessa Williams works at the unit. Louise Isaac, Specialist Optometrist, provides NHS Low Vision Assessments. Devon in Sight integrates with the hospital eye care pathway.
• Macular SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Macular Society is a national charity supporting people with central vision loss. Devon in Sight partners on peer support groups, speaker seminars, and benefits advice (Colin Daniels from the Macular Society covered Introduction to Benefits).
• Glaucoma UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlaucoma UK provides advice and support to individuals with glaucoma. Conchita Landa-Font, Training and Engagement Officer, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars. Devon in Sight connects beneficiaries to Glaucoma UK's helpline and buddy scheme.
• Guide DogsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuide Dogs provides the My Sighted Guide Service, helping people with sight loss get out into the community with a volunteer sighted guide. Sally Yigit, Service Manager, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars. Mandy Darling, Devon in Sight's Community Engagement Officer, is on her fourth guide dog partnership.
• Blind Veterans UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlind Veterans UK (formerly St. Dunstan's) supports blind veterans to rebuild their lives after sight loss. Aaron Garratt, Community Team Leader, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars to raise awareness of services for veterans.
• Esme's UmbrellaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEsme's Umbrella is a charity raising awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome (visual hallucinations in people with sight loss). Founder Judith Potts has spoken at multiple Devon in Sight seminars by popular demand.
• British Wireless for the BlindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Wireless for the Blind provides specially adapted radios on free loan to people who are blind or partially sighted and cannot afford equipment. Simon Parsons, Regional Development Manager, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars.
• Calibre Audio LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalibre Audio Library provides over 12,000 unabridged audio books free to people with print disabilities including sight loss. Natalie Moore has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars about the service which has over 40,000 members.
• South West WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth West Water serves 1.8 million customers across Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly, and parts of Dorset and Somerset. Lorraine Whiting, Community and Customer Liaison Co-ordinator, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars about water services accessibility.
• Mid Devon MobilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMid Devon Mobility helps increase independence and mobility of older and disabled people, addressing loneliness and isolation through transport and mobility solutions. Jackie Hammond, Volunteer Coordinator, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars.
• Devon Local Optical CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Devon Local Optical Committee represents optical professionals in Devon. Jonathan Drew, Business Manager, has spoken at Devon in Sight seminars about NHS General Ophthalmic Services and local eye care commissioning.
• Industry Vision GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon in Sight participates in the Industry Vision Group, a coalition working to improve eye health nationally. Steve Darling MP, Sight Loss Ambassador for Devon in Sight, hosted a Parliamentary Reception on behalf of the Industry Vision Group at the House of Commons in December 2025.
• The Retina Clinic LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Retina Clinic London collaborates with the pharmaceutical industry to bring cutting-edge retinal treatments to patients. Professor Stanga has participated in Devon in Sight events to discuss clinical trials for conditions such as Stargardt's disease.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Glaucoma UK: Glaucoma UK is a national charity providing advice and support for people with glaucoma, including a helpline and buddy scheme. Devon in Sight connects beneficiaries to Glaucoma UK's services and co-presents speaker seminars, operating in the same sight loss support space.
• Blind Veterans UK: Blind Veterans UK provides rehabilitation and community support specifically for vision-impaired ex-service personnel. Devon in Sight partners with Blind Veterans UK to raise awareness of veterans' services, serving overlapping but distinct beneficiary segments.
• Macular Society: Macular Society is a national charity providing support for people with macular conditions, including peer support groups and benefits advice in Devon. Devon in Sight co-hosts speaker seminars with Macular Society, serving the same beneficiary groups.
• Guide Dogs: Guide Dogs provides mobility services and community support for people with sight loss across the UK, including in Devon. Devon in Sight partners with Guide Dogs (e.g., My Sighted Guide Service) and serves overlapping beneficiary populations in the county.
• Thomas Pocklington Trust: Thomas Pocklington Trust supports people with sight loss through employment, housing, and research programs. Devon in Sight's Employment Hub is delivered in partnership with Pocklington's 'Works for Me' programme, making them operational peers in the sight loss sector.

Broad incumbents

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): RNIB is the UK's largest national sight loss charity, offering advice, advocacy, and services across the country. Devon in Sight works alongside RNIB as a local delivery partner for Devon, making it a comparable but broader-scale operator in the same sector.

Emerging players

• Living Options Devon: Living Options Devon supports people with disabilities and deaf people across Devon, including through BSL services. Devon in Sight collaborates with Living Options for clients with complex needs, making it a complementary adjacent disability charity in the same region.

Regional players

• iSight Cornwall: iSight Cornwall is an independent sight loss charity serving Cornwall, directly adjacent to Devon in Sight's geography. The two charities already co-fundraise (Huxter and Davy Opticians 10,000km challenge) and serve similar beneficiary populations in the South West.
• Open Sight: Open Sight is a Hampshire-based local sight loss charity providing advice, equipment, and community services. Devon in Sight's Head of Services Tess Barrett previously worked at Open Sight, making it a directly comparable regional sight loss charity.

Others

• Visionary (UK Local Sight Loss Charities membership body): Visionary is the membership body that represents around 100 local sight loss charities across the UK, including Devon in Sight. It sets sector standards, runs the Customer Excellence Awards, and provides networking — analogous to a trade association rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/devoninsight
• Facebookfacebook.com/devoninsight
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/devon-in-sight

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Devon in Sight