Carlisle Sight Support gets new chairperson

Lou Townson is the new chairperson of Carlisle Sight Support

New Chairperson at Carlisle Sight Support.

‘We are pleased to announce that Louise Towson is the new chairperson of Carlisle Sight Support’ (Carlisle Society for the Blind) announced charity manager, Mark Costello.

The charity supports blind and partially sighted people across Carlisle through the provision of a resource centre, home visiting scheme, outreach groups, social activity and a determination to help people with sight loss overcome challenges and barriers.

Lou joined the trustee board of Carlisle Sight Support at their 2022 annual general meeting (AGM) and was elected chair at the following year’s AGM, hosting her first committee meeting in January 2024.

Mr Costello continued, ‘Lou is registered blind and has a wealth of life experience through overcoming her own disability barriers and being recognised as a prominent figure in the charity and advocacy sector. We are delighted with her appointment’.

As well as being chair of Carlisle Sight Support, Lou is also a director at People First, the learning disability advocacy charity with its base in Carlisle. It is here that Lou has contributed to published research over many years

‘I have been involved with inclusive research and a lot of partnership working’. Said Lou. ‘I wanted to bring some of this previous knowledge and experience to another charity and since I have had a lifetime of sight loss myself I was excited to join the board of Carlisle Sight Support. Now I look forward to contributing to its success through my role at chairperson’.