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About WCB.
Wales Council of the Blind is the umbrella agency representing vision impairment within Wales. We work to campaign, lobby and support the improvement of services for people with sight loss. [Read more...]
Latest news.
Wales Eyecare Conference 2025 - Last few places available
There are just a handful of places left on the Wales Eyecare Conference on Thursday 6th November 2025.
The event will be held at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, and this year's theme is 'Mental Health of Patients and the Workforce'. You can book your place here. Applicants will be added to a waiting list once the conference is full.
The Programme of the Day is available at Programme of the Day
VICTA Grant Scheme 2025 opens for applications
VICTA's grant scheme for children and young adults (ages 8 to 29) with vision impairment is open for applications. The programme is designed to help young people build or maintain their independence and retain control of their lives and leisure time.
For full details of the scheme, including the items that are covered and eligibility criteria, click here. All grants are reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis at the discretion of the VICTA Trustees and are dependent on available funding. Dates for 2025 are:
- July to September - apply by 19th September
- October to December - apply by 5th December
Wales Pioneers Eye Care Reform: Optometrists can now certify vision impairment for all conditions
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Optometry Wales have announced that, in a first across the UK, Wales will allow optometrists to officially certify Vision Impairment for all types of eye conditions. This major change is expected to improve support for people with sight loss and reduce the pressure on busy hospital eye departments.
The change has been welcomed by Wales Council of the Blind's Director, Owen Williams, who has shared that he is “delighted”. You can read the announcement, including statement from WCB here. There is also a report about this development on the Optometry Today website.