Esme's Umbrella
Nominee Profile
Location: London
Esme’s Umbrella exists to provide a safe and supportive space for anyone living with Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). Whether you need information, a sense of community through shared stories, or help with raising awareness, we are here for you.
Esme’s Umbrella began in 2015 as a campaign and gained charity status in 2021. It all started when the founder, Judith Potts, discovered her mother had CBS after developing glaucoma. Frustrated by the lack of support and understanding from doctors, Judith sought more knowledge. This led her to meet Professor Dominic Ffytche, the world authority on CBS and visual hallucinations of all types. After her mother’s passing, Judith felt driven to ensure no one else would face this challenge in isolation. Esme’s Umbrella was born.
Over the last decade, Esme's Umbrella's campaign has made significant strides in the medical field, earning certification in The World Health Organisation’s Taxonomy of diseases for CBS – ICD11. This increases Esme’s Umbrella's credibility and created new opportunities for research into CBS. Our charity has supported research grants, most recently including studies focused on children and young people affected by CBS and exploring the wellbeing of people living with the condition.
We have developed various programmes, such as our Esme’s Friends groups (which began before COVID-19 and continued online) run by various local, low vision charities. These are open to everyone and provide peer support in a safe place where CBS experiences can be exchanged and coping strategies shared. Our Champions’ programme is growing, with volunteers offering to be a focal point for information in organisations and charities.
In addition Esme’s Umbrella runs a membership programme. Membership gives people the chance to volunteer to be part of CBS research and keeps people up to date with information. We collaborate with other national and local charities through talks, workshops, and training. Our goal is to provide comprehensive support for people with CBS, including those with additional needs, in partnership with organisations like the nurses’ association and carers’ networks.
Our aim is to work nationally across the UK to support all people living with CBS.
Esme’s Umbrella began in 2015 as a campaign and gained charity status in 2021. It all started when the founder, Judith Potts, discovered her mother had CBS after developing glaucoma. Frustrated by the lack of support and understanding from doctors, Judith sought more knowledge. This led her to meet Professor Dominic Ffytche, the world authority on CBS and visual hallucinations of all types. After her mother’s passing, Judith felt driven to ensure no one else would face this challenge in isolation. Esme’s Umbrella was born.
Over the last decade, Esme's Umbrella's campaign has made significant strides in the medical field, earning certification in The World Health Organisation’s Taxonomy of diseases for CBS – ICD11. This increases Esme’s Umbrella's credibility and created new opportunities for research into CBS. Our charity has supported research grants, most recently including studies focused on children and young people affected by CBS and exploring the wellbeing of people living with the condition.
We have developed various programmes, such as our Esme’s Friends groups (which began before COVID-19 and continued online) run by various local, low vision charities. These are open to everyone and provide peer support in a safe place where CBS experiences can be exchanged and coping strategies shared. Our Champions’ programme is growing, with volunteers offering to be a focal point for information in organisations and charities.
In addition Esme’s Umbrella runs a membership programme. Membership gives people the chance to volunteer to be part of CBS research and keeps people up to date with information. We collaborate with other national and local charities through talks, workshops, and training. Our goal is to provide comprehensive support for people with CBS, including those with additional needs, in partnership with organisations like the nurses’ association and carers’ networks.
Our aim is to work nationally across the UK to support all people living with CBS.