RNIB Haggeye
Haggeye is a campaign group for blind and partially sighted young people, aged 16-27, living in Scotland. The members come together to discuss the issues that matter most to them and work with decision makers to influence change. They do this in range of ways including member led campaigns, creating social media content and contributing to policy consultations.
We also provide support to Haggeye Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament and see this as a key way to engage on a national level.
How young people shape the Commission
As a member led group, the young people agree how the group will operate. We currently meet online every fortnight and in person every few months. As a national group, the location of our meetings changes each time to ensure we are accessible to as many young people as possible.
When agreeing the campaign focus for Haggeye, we provided an education session on how to influence change in Scotland and engage with decision makers.
The members work together to share the issues they would like to campaign on, appreciating what might be an individual focus and what could be a group priority. These are collated and thematic analysis conducted to develop key themes. These were recirculated to members and ranked to agree the key priority areas. Members then worked together to develop a campaign strategy.
How young people’s views have been used in decision-making
In 2022, members agreed to focus their campaigning on transitions that young people experience. This included moving from primary onto secondary as well as to further education and employment.
We employed a range of strategies including:
Members were interviewed on BBC Radio Four In Touch programme where they shared their thoughts on education and employment.
Our MSYP Eilidh sought feedback from Haggeye members on 'Equality in Education' to share with SYP.
Haggeye members created social media videos ahead of the local elections, supporting RNIB Scotland manifesto call for greater provision of Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (QTVI). By sharing their experience, the young people were able to evidence the impact appropriate QTVI support can make.
Haggeye members also met with Pam Duncan Glancy MSP to share their experiences of transitions and provide testimony for stage of one of the Transitions Bill.
They also developed top tips for students starting college or university. The content was widely shared on social media and reported in the Times Education Supplement. Members were also asked to present at the national meeting of QTVIs.
Members were interviewed by RNIB Connect Radio for International Students Day.
What young people said
“We have achieved more than we thought!”
“Managed to navigate through covid restrictions”
“Meeting every two weeks works well”
“It is ok to miss a meeting, you know you can still come back”
“Two hours is the perfect length for online meetings”.
For anyone looking to engage blind or partially sighted young people, Haggeye members are keen to share the following tips:
“Ensure opportunities are accessible and do not rely on visual information”.
“Ask if someone needs guiding support”
“Offer to call ahead of an event to discuss accessibility needs”
“Think about the timing of engagements, for some people evenings are harder because of the dark nights”
“Visual impairment is not one thing, ask the person what support they need”
“No one size fits all”
“Sometimes people can be too cautions about health and safety, I just want to be included”
“Participation is feeling supported and listened too”
“It all comes down to communication and respect, ask me”
Contact info to find out more:
Call: 07821 637 317
Email haggeye.mailbox@rnib.org.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HaggeyeFamily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Haggeye/
Website: Youth engagement: Haggeye | RNIB
