The RNIB See Differently Awards, supported by People’s Postcode Lottery, recognise and celebrate outstanding work supporting people with sight loss. Hosted by standup comedian, Jamie MacDonald, the awards took place on Tuesday 21 May.
Tesco has won an RNIB See Differently Award in recognition of their work as an inclusive employer after achieving RNIB’s Visibly Better Employer (VBE) quality standard in April 2022.
Tesco won Employer of the Year; The category is sponsored by T&Pm and the award recognises an organisation which has committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace for blind and partially sighted employees. From making significant efforts to ensure their hiring process is fully accessible, supporting any new or existing workers with sight loss, to raising awareness amongst their sighted employees.
Since achieving RNIB’s VBE quality standard, there has been an increase in the number of blind and partially sighted employees working across the business. In a bid to help colleagues thrive in their roles, Tesco provides specialist equipment such as tablets and tactile aids to meet the person’s needs. Tactile aids have also now been introduced across all of their bakery departments since implementing this function to support a colleague who works in the in-store bakery.
In relation to winning the award, Henry Gosling, Tesco diversity & inclusion manager, said: “We are so grateful to win this award and really didn’t expect it! At Tesco, we are two representatives of hundreds and thousands of colleagues, it’s truly a team effort. The ceremony has been great, and we’ve been blown away listening to all the work by the finalists. Thank you RNIB.”
Managers at Tesco receive specific training to support their direct reports who are visually impaired. And continuing to be an inclusive workplace, Tesco are exploring how they can improve the accessibility of their internal communications.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted to support the RNIB See Differently Awards. It’s a fantastic opportunity to spotlight all the great work that is happening in the sight loss sector. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners; your contributions are a shining example of how we can work together to make a life-changing impact for blind and partially sighted people.”
RNIB CEO Matt Stringer said: “The RNIB See Differently Awards celebrate the amazing stories and achievements of so many people and organisations who generously share their lived experience and professional knowledge.
“A huge congratulations to all our See Differently Award winners. Whether it’s in the world of employment, the world of influencing, or the world of generating more volunteers, there are some cracking stories to tell, and the ceremony was a great way to trumpet real achievement.”
Bringing together a host of people across the UK, the awards recognised exceptional individuals and teams across seven categories: Campaigner of the Year, Eye Care Professional of the Year, Best Content Creator of the Year, Team of the Year, Employer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Design for Everyone Award.
