iSightCornwall

What iSightCornwall does

iSightCornwall is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee (Charity Number 1108761, Company Number 5357432) founded in 1856 as the Cornwall Blind and Partially Sighted Association and rebranded to iSightCornwall in April 2015. Operating from The Sight Centre in Truro as Cornwall's only sight loss charity, the organization employs 11-50 staff and serves blind and partially sighted individuals across the Cornwall region. Its patron since May 2022 is the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, and Paralympic athlete Melissa Reid is also a patron.

Name

iSightCornwall

Legal name

Cornwall Blind and Partially Sighted Association

Website

https://isightcornwall.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1856

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

iSightCornwall is a Cornish charity founded in 1856, providing sight loss support, low vision assessments, assistive technology, retail products, and 25+ community clubs for blind and partially sighted individuals. Operates as Cornwall's only sight loss charity from its Truro Sight Centre.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sight Loss Support Services

NAICS

Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Assistive Vision & Screen Access (Screen Readers, Magnification, Braille Displays/Notetakers) (EDAFAKAD)

Keywords

• Sight loss support
• Low vision aids
• Assistive technology
• Visual impairment services
• Accessible products

Headquarters

HQ city

Truro

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, community fundraising events, marathon runners, and gaming-for-good streams. Multiple fundraising campaigns and initiatives drive voluntary contributions.
2. Lottery: iSightCornwall lottery launched in June 2022 providing ongoing recurring revenue from participants.
3. Product Sales: Sale of low vision aids, assistive devices, accessibility products, and accessible gadgets through their online shop and Resource Centre. Products include magnifiers, talking devices, badges, calendars, and specialist equipment.
4. Membership: iSightCornwall membership program offering exclusive benefits to members.
5. Grants: Received grants from organizations including The Hospital Saturday Fund (one of 25 charities selected).
6. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses including Specsavers, Boots Opticians, coffee companies creating branded blends, wine merchants, and local businesses providing corporate donations and charity of the year partnerships.
7. Legacy Gifts: Leaving a legacy gift program where donors can leave bequests to support the charity's ongoing work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

iSightCornwall provides sight loss support services, low vision assessments, and assistive technology advice for blind and partially sighted people in Cornwall. It operates a Resource Centre shop (physical and online) selling low vision aids, electronic magnifiers, talking devices, accessible phones, daily living aids, and large-print products. The charity also runs more than 25 community clubs and social activities for visually impaired residents.

Product overview

iSightCornwall is Cornwall's only sight loss charity, founded in 1856, offering a unified charity model combining retail (Resource Centre / Online Shop), specialist support services (Low Vision Clinic, Sight Loss Support, Assistive Technology Services), and community programmes (Clubs and Activities). The online shop serves as the primary retail channel, selling a portfolio of third-party branded assistive technology products including Humanware handheld electronic magnifiers (Explore 5, Explore 8), Optelec portable HD magnifiers (Compact 10 HD Speech, Traveller HD), Eschenbach digital magnifiers (Smartlux Digital HD, easyPOCKET, Powerlux), Visolux Digital XL 12", accessible mobile phones (Geemarc Amplified Clamshell 4G, Blindshell Classic 2), accessible software (Synapptic, RealSam Pocket), Optima reading devices, tactile and daily living aids (Talking Button Clock, Symbol Cane, Liquid Level Indicator, Non-Spill Mug, Bumpons), and low vision lighting products (Slimline 3 LED Floor Lamp, Flexivision Floor Lamp, Daylight Twist 2). These products are complemented by charitable offerings including the iSightCornwall Lottery (launched June 2026), membership programme, large print and accessible products (Large Print Calendar 2026, Christmas Cards, Large Print Keyboard Stickers), and an extensive eye conditions information portal covering over 20 conditions. The iSightCornwall brand encompasses the Sight Centre in Truro as its primary service hub, supported by community clubs and activities across Cornwall.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Resource Centre Shop (Physical and Online) Retail shop selling assistive devices and products for visually impaired people, available at the Resource Centre in Truro and through an online e-commerce store. Products include low vision aids, household devices, electronic magnifiers, accessible phones, writing aids, identification badges, lighting products, and tactile aids.
• Low Vision Clinic Expert low vision assessments and rehabilitation services to help individuals make the best use of their remaining vision, including guidance on low vision aids and specialist technology.
• Assistive Technology Services Advice, demonstrations, and provision of assistive technology including video magnifiers, handheld electronic magnifiers, accessible mobile phones, and specialist software such as Synapptic and RealSam Pocket.
• Sight Loss Support and Advice Expert guidance and information on living with sight loss, including emotional support, eye health advice, registration of sight loss, welfare benefits advice, and employment support.
• Staying Independent Services Programmes to help blind and partially sighted individuals maintain independence through low vision aids, household devices, electronic magnifiers, and specialist technology.
• Clubs and Activities Social and recreational clubs across Cornwall including BLIS Singers (choir), Bugle Blues Bowling Club, BUGS Shooting Club (adapted rifles), Dance Clubs, Guitar Club, Launceston Lunch Club, Saltash BAPS Social Club, and Walking Buddies.
• iSightCornwall Lottery A charitable lottery launched in June 2026 offering participants the chance to win prizes while fundraising for iSightCornwall's sight loss support services.
• iSightCornwall Membership A membership programme for supporters of iSightCornwall, available through the shop, offering exclusive benefits.
• Eye Conditions Information Portal Online resource providing information on over 20 eye conditions including Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease, Nystagmus, and Uveitis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free delivery via Royal Mail's 'Articles for the Blind' scheme for eligible customers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sensory TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2025iSightCornwall and Sensory Trust team up to plant wildflowers, creating sensory experiences for visually impaired individuals.
• NHS CornwallcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025iSightCornwall and NHS Cornwall team up to help boost engagement with cancer care. Partnership focuses on improving cancer screening participation among people with sight loss.
• Eden ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025iSightCornwall members visited Eden Project for inclusive experiences and Wonder Workshops.
• National TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National Trust workshop at Trerice gave iSightCornwall members a 'massage from the trees' sensory experience.
• Then Try ThisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Then Try This team worked with iSightCornwall to create an accessible scientific video game.
• Coffee CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 April 2023Coffee company created an iSightCornwall branded blend.
• Local Wine MerchantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 April 2023Local wine merchant named iSightCornwall as Charity of the Year.
• Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 March 2023Newquay Lions provided minibus support and partnered for sensory walk events.
• Redruth Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Redruth Rotary Club conducted fundraising activities for iSightCornwall.
• Lord-Lieutenant of CornwallcoreOthers · 10 May 2022The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall became iSightCornwall patron in May 2022, providing high-profile patronage for the charity.
• Newquay Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Newquay Golf Club conducted fundraising for iSightCornwall.
• RNIBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2021RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) partnered with iSightCornwall and Amazon to help a teenager access technology.
• AmazonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2021Amazon partnered with iSightCornwall and RNIB to help a teenager access technology.
• SpecsaverscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2018Specsavers partnership brings eye health into focus. Collaboration on eye health awareness and services.
• Boots Opticians TrurominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Boots Opticians in Truro partnered with Rick Stein Group to host charity dinner supporting iSightCornwall.
• Rick Stein GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Rick Stein Group hosted charity dinner with Boots Opticians to support iSightCornwall.
• Penlee House Gallery and MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with Penlee House Gallery and Museum for cultural accessibility.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Thomas Pocklington Trust: UK charity providing housing, support, and employment services for blind and partially sighted people. Comparable service-delivery model — particularly on employment support and independent living — to iSightCornwall's Staying Independent and Sight Loss Support services.
• Blind Veterans UK: National charity providing rehabilitation, training, and lifelong support to vision-impaired veterans. Comparable mission of helping blind and partially sighted people live independently, though with a narrower veteran-eligible beneficiary base.
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): The UK's largest sight loss charity, providing advice, support, products, and campaigning for blind and partially sighted people. RNIB overlaps directly with iSightCornwall on assistive products, sight loss advice, and a national/local fundraising footprint — and has already partnered with iSightCornwall.
• British Blind Sport: National charity enabling blind and partially sighted people to participate in sport. Comparable to iSightCornwall's clubs and activities (BUGS Shooting Club, Walking Buddies, bowling), with overlapping adaptive-sports programming.
• Macular Society: UK charity dedicated to macular conditions, offering support groups, information, and research funding. Comparable to iSightCornwall's eye-condition-focused support services, with overlapping beneficiary pool in Cornwall's older population.
• Retina UK: UK charity funding research and providing support for people with inherited retinal conditions. Overlaps with iSightCornwall on condition-specific information, support services, and donor fundraising.
• Glaucoma UK: UK charity supporting people with glaucoma through information, helpline, and peer support. Comparable disease-specific sight loss support model to the eye-condition support services iSightCornwall delivers in Cornwall.

Broad incumbents

• Guide Dogs: Major UK charity providing mobility and support services for people with sight loss (and broader disabilities). Operates nationally with comparable fundraising model and beneficiary base, but its core mobility/Guide Dogs focus is a wider portfolio than iSightCornwall's.
• Humanware: Global assistive technology vendor producing magnifiers, Braille devices, and accessible smartphones — the same brands (Explore 5/8) iSightCornwall resells. As a supplier they are an enabler rather than a competitor, but represent the upstream ecosystem for the charity's retail business.

Regional players

• Sight Scotland: Scottish sight loss charity delivering support, education, and residential services. Comparable regional sight-loss charity model to iSightCornwall, but operating in Scotland rather than competing geographically in Cornwall.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iSightCornwall
• Xtwitter.com/iSightCornwall
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isightcornwall

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 iSightCornwall