The IIM announced the partnership during its Annual General Meeting in April, which also saw Marc Hargreaves of Zurich step into his new role as IIM President. We extend a warm congratulations to Marc, who has supported the institute since 2007.
A Powerful Launch: Henshaws Patron Dave Steele Inspires at the AGM
We launched our Charity of the Year partnership at the AGM with a moving talk from Henshaws Patron Dave Steele, The Blind Poet. He spoke openly about his sight loss journey and the life-changing impact of Henshaws’ services in Greater Manchester. Dave also wrote and performed a brand-new poem for the occasion, which resonated deeply with everyone in the room.
Why Marc Chose Henshaws
Marc explained why he selected Henshaws as his chosen charity of the year:
I’m really happy to be supporting Henshaws during my year as President of the IIM. I’ve been aware of Henshaws as an organisation for a while and when the opportunity arose for me to be able to pick an organisation to work with, I could look no further than a charity that helps people like me, who have reduced vision, who live near me in Greater Manchester. Although I was aware of Henshaws before, I couldn’t quite place why – I had never volunteered or used their services, or so I thought!
Just before the AGM where I was elected president, I had gone to see my Gran. I was chatting about all the things we were going to do at the institute this year and mentioned that we were supporting Henshaws. She nodded and said, “Oh, that will be because of the sports club you attended on Saturdays [at Hathershaw Community Centre in Oldham]”. I vividly remember attending this when I was 8 or 9 years old, it being run by a lovely bloke called Ian, and having a great time playing sports with other visually impaired kids (darts, judo everything!)– even a 5 a side football tournament at Villa Park! I had no idea that the club was run by Henshaws.
Meeting the team at Henshaws has been a transformative experience for me personally. I’ve been incredibly lucky with my vision, having ONH and Nystagmus since birth has allowed me to adapt to life’s challenges in a way that is quite simply not possible for those who have had full vision and lost it. Seeing the help you all render to people young and old, hearing their stories about receiving life-changing news and being brought back around is inspiring. Being in the position of having been helped by Henshaws and “forgotten” about it was initially a bit embarrassing! The work of the CYP team and the stories about your residentials, the community outreach by individuals like Josh, the engagement of Stephen and Katie, Dave Steele’s powerful poem at our AGM, and even your involvement in our fashion show have all contributed to the partnership starting on a high note. I’m excited to see what the rest of the year will bring.
Building Momentum: Early Events and Energy
The IIM community has already embraced the partnership with warmth and enthusiasm. At the Young Members Ball, guests dressed to impress in support of the Bright for Sight theme, showing their commitment to raising awareness for people with visual impairments.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to take part in key IIM events, including:
Style in the City: 20 June 2025 An exciting fashion event where Team Henshaws will grace the catwalk.
IIM Annual Dinner: 14 November 2025 A prestigious event bringing the professional community together in support of Henshaws.
A Message from Henshaws
Katie Beech, Senior Fundraiser at Henshaws, shared her appreciation: “We are so delighted to have been chosen as IIM’s Charity of the Year. The support from Marc, Emma, Lydia and the IIM community has been incredible. We’re full of ideas and energy, and truly excited to collaborate throughout the year ahead. Thank you for championing Henshaws and our mission to help people with visual impairments live more independently.”
Our partnership with the Insurance Institute of Manchester marks a significant opportunity to raise awareness, strengthen connections, and create meaningful change for people living with sight loss in Greater Manchester. We look forward to an inspiring and impactful year ahead.
