Queens Park councillor Eleanor Southwood is to become chair of the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB).

Ms Southwood is currently vice chair of the organisation but with Kevin Carey set to step down from his current role, the Labour councillor is in line for a promotion.

The RNIB support people who are blind and partially sighted. Ms Southwood, who was born blind, knows exactly what she wants to do when she takes up her new role.

“I want to makeit much easier for people who suffer from sight loss to talk to each other. One of the most common issues that affect people with sight loss is isolation. But I also want people to realise that you can still achieve fabulous things with the right support,” she said.

The RNIB also help support individuals whose eyesight has begun to deteriorate, but Ms Southwood, who has been involved with the RNIB since 2010, says when people start to lose their eyesight it doesn’t mean that’s it.

“When people start to lose their eyesight in work, they think they can’t work anymore but this is not true. 75% of people who are blind or partially sighted and unemployed can’t find work. Losing your eyesight doesn’t need to be a barrier. You can still lead a full and successful life.”