To mark both the 200th anniversary of the railway and the bicentenary of Braille, a special art exhibition titled Do You See What I See? has opened at Colchester station, raising awareness about the experiences of blind and partially sighted (BPS) people.
Launched on 18 March, the exhibition is located in the waiting room on Platform 4 and will run until the end of April. It was created in collaboration with Thomas Pocklington Trust and Greater Anglia, with contributions from Sight Loss Council volunteers and BPS individuals working alongside artists such as Lindsey Whitelaw and Clarke Reynolds.
The artwork reflects how different types of sight loss impact perception and includes tactile elements and railway heritage signs featuring Braille and tactile lettering. The display aims to challenge misconceptions around how BPS people experience and create art.
The project is supported by a £5,000 grant from Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund and poster space donated by the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership. Similar exhibitions have also opened at Norwich and will soon launch at Broxbourne station.
As part of the initiative, Essex Sight Loss Council hosted a symposium at Greater Anglia’s Colchester offices to share lived experiences and shape future accessibility improvements. The Sight Loss Councils, funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, work across the UK to improve access to services, especially transport.
Samantha Leftwich, Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager for the East of England, said: “This initiative not only brightens up station spaces but invites the public to experience art in new ways—through touch and sound—while promoting greater understanding of vision impairment.”
Scott Dolling, Greater Anglia’s Partnerships Manager, added: “We’re proud to support this exhibition and the valuable work of the Sight Loss Councils. We hope the artwork will spark conversation and increase awareness of the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted passengers.”
