OUR MISSION STATEMENT
At BASIS we have a family of dedicated people to help you. Find out a little bit more about our team, trustees, members and volunteers.
Meet the Team
Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Thomson
Michelle’s background is in events and promotional management, she joined BASIS in July 2017 at the beginning of an exciting time for the charity. Having secured Lottery funding for a new befriending project, BASIS is embarking on a period of growth which Michelle is developing and overseeing. The recent changes mean we are able to offer even more high quality services to our visually impaired members and reach out to those that are lonely and isolated in South Essex.
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
Kim Barden
Kim is a valuable member of the BASIS team and has been with the charity for several years providing essential support with the finances. Kim’s knowledge of the charity and it’s inner workings are crucial to the smooth running of BASIS along with the great relationships she has with our members.
EYE CLINIC LIAISON/ BEFRIENDING PROJECT COORDINATOR
Sarah-Jane Piper
Sarah-Jane joined BASIS in August 2017 after we obtained funding for projects through The Big Lottery. Sarah-Jane came to us from Age UK Essex where she had been responsible for overseeing hundreds of volunteers and successfully running their befriending project. She brings with her a wealth of experience and has already recruited and trained a large team of volunteers for BASIS who are actively befriending visually impaired people in the community.
Centre Coordinator
Joanne Willis
Jo joined the BASIS team in June 2023, she is the first point of contact for anyone calling or visiting the centre and happy to help direct you to all of our support services
Specialist Sensory Practitioner
Sally Dunster
Sally is an experienced sensory specialist, responsible for our home visit assessments. She visits visually impaired people in their own homes to offer support, information and guidance on assistive equipment and signposting to useful services
Meet the Trustees
CHAIR
June
I left school at 18 to take up a position with the civil service in London where I worked for 13 years. I left to start a family and then stayed at home to bring up my two sons. I was invited to offer Braille tuition, joining PAVIS in 2005. At the 2015 AGM I was voted on to the Management Committee and more recently to the position of Chair.
TRUSTEE
Samantha Leftwich
Sam has been a beneficiary of BASIS for several years and has a visual impairment herself. Sam is a guide dog owner and with her guide dog Lizzie has achieved some incredible personal goals both in her career and through her passion for running. With a background in teaching children with special educational needs she has brought a wealth of knowledge to the board around policy and safeguarding. She is currently in the role of secretary supporting the admin function of the trusteees.
TRUSTEE
Alastair Rogers
Alastair is a dedicated trustee at the Blind and Sight Impaired Society (BASIS), bringing over 20 years of experience in IT across multiple sectors, with expertise in integrating systems and people. His professional background in technology, combined with a deep personal connection to sight loss, drives his commitment to supporting BASIS and its mission.
Alastair’s journey with BASIS began when a family member suddenly lost their sight, and the charity became a vital source of support, helping his family adapt to a new way of living. Grateful for the guidance and resources BASIS provided, he joined as a trustee in 2023 to give back and help the organization continue its essential work.
” In his role, Alastair is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance BASIS’s services, ensuring they can reach and support more individuals and families affected by sight loss in Basildon and the surrounding areas. His goal is to integrate technological advancements that improve accessibility, communication, and the overall experience for those who rely on BASIS’s support.
With a strong belief in the power of innovation and community, Alastair is committed to helping BASIS grow and evolve, ensuring that no one facing sight loss feels alone.”
TRUSTEE
Cliff Carter
Cliff has spent his working life in the motor trade and so brings a wealth of experience in management and consulting both locally and nationally. He is a Trustee at a local Sixth Form College and was also a governor there for many years. His connection with Basis started over 20 years ago when he encountered eyesight problems and this led to him attending braille classes with June. He is now pleased to be back as a Trustee to help continue the good work of this organisation
Contact us today
You can call us on 01268 522817 (Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm),
send us an email admin@basissouthessex.org.uk or complete this
contact form below and click the SUBMIT button.