Mission Statement

Our mission, is to empower people facing OOKP (“tooth‐in‐eye”) surgery and their families, by providing clear and accessible information, practical help and a caring community. We exist, to relieve the stress and isolation of this rare procedure, by advancing patients’ health and well‐being through education and support. In practice, we aim to give everyone affected by OOKP, the knowledge, tools and emotional support they need to feel informed and confident about their care. This means offering up‑to‑date guidance on the emotions of surgery and follow‑up support, building peer networks to share experiences, involving families in the process, and partnering with eye clinics and charities, to deliver the best possible outcomes.

How We Achieve Our Mission

Accessible Information and Education:

We ensure patients are provided with clear, up‑to‑date information at every stage. For example, we provide simple fact sheets, checklists and online articles regarding OOKP risks and recovery, all written in plain language, including leaflets, conversations with patients and their families, to ensure they really understand the procedure and aftercare. In our work, volunteers and staff review and update these materials regularly, answer questions via phone, email or WhatsApp, and offer video tutorials on all aspects, including tech tips, coping strategies, post op wellbeing, etc. so patients learn in ways which suit them best. By breaking down complex medical and emotional anxieties, into clear advice, we help patients and their families prepare for surgery and post‑op life, reducing anxiety and improving understanding.

Peer and Community Support:

We build friendly peer networks, so no one faces OOKP alone. Our patient forums, support groups and mentorship programs connect people living with sight loss. These groups encourage members to share stories, tips and encouragement, as research shows, peer programs for visual loss, strengthen connections and resilience. Crucially, our community is patient‑led: meaning experienced OOKP patients guide newcomers and answer their questions, providing practical insight on life after surgery. We follow this model by training volunteer mentors and hosting meetups (in person or virtual coffee chats), so anyone can find a friendly ear and first‑hand advice. This peer approach makes patients feel understood and less isolated. It also provides real‑life perspectives on OOKP, for example, “what it’s like to live with an OOKP prosthesis," which statistics or doctors cannot fully capture

Family and Carer Support:

We recognize, patients’ families and carers are key partners in recovery. We involve them from the start and give them resources to help. For example, with the patient’s permission, we include family members in consultations and encourage them to read our information materials. The NHS recognise, when families know what to expect and “ask questions and read the literature”, their practical and emotional support becomes invaluable. In line with this, we host family Q&A sessions and offer direct contacts for relatives. We also explain benefits, finances or employment issues that often arise after vision changes, so carers can help address these practical needs. By equipping families with knowledge and support, we strengthen the patient’s entire support network and reduce everyone’s worry.

Professional Collaboration and Partnerships:

We work closely with hospitals, eye clinics and sight charities to ensure our guidance is reliable and comprehensive, as OOKP treatment is inherently multidisciplinary, involving ophthalmic surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, psychologists and more. We collaborate with these experts (for instance, the Moorfields OOKP team or NHS specialists) to develop materials and referrals. We also partner with organizations like RNIB, Guide Dogs and local support services. This means we can direct patients to additional services (low-vision aids, counselling, financial advice) and coordinate events. By teaming up with professionals, our small charity (under preparation for charitable status submission) punches above its weight: we stay informed about the latest research and ensure patients get a seamless experience between hospital care and community support. In this way, we share the broader mission of other sight-loss charities: for example, RNIB, who provide practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers, ensuring together, these collaborations amplify our impact and keep our charity resources well connected.

Wellbeing and Social Engagement:

Beyond factual information, we support patients’ overall well‐being. We organise social events (coffee mornings, outings, online gatherings) and create content on tech tips, mental health and living with changing vision. These activities help maintain patients’ confidence and quality of life. For instance, our peer wellness groups and creative sessions give patients a chance to relax and share coping strategies. By integrating fun and social support, we foster a positive environment where recovery isn’t just about eyesight but also about community and morale.

Awareness, Advocacy and Fundraising:

We raise public awareness about OOKP, so more patients can benefit and the condition is better understood. This includes publishing blogs, newsletters and patient stories (with consent) to inform both the community and healthcare professionals. We advocate for patient needs (e.g. by advising hospitals on patient materials) and campaign for resources (such as research funding or NHS support). On the fundraising side, we organise charity events and encourage volunteers. By showing the tangible needs and successes of our patients, we attract donations and grants, ensuring the charity can continue its vital work.

Our Values and Outcomes

Compassion and Respect:

We treat every person with care and dignity, listening to their concerns. This patient-first approach builds trust.

Empowerment and Education

We believe knowledge is empowering. By educating patients and their families, we enable them to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves.

Inclusivity and Patient‑Led Care:

All patients are welcome, regardless of background or ability. We involve former patients in planning our services, ensuring they remain patient‑driven.

Collaboration:

We value teamwork with medical experts and partner charities. Sharing expertise leads to better care and innovation.

Integrity and Transparency:

We operate openly (we publish our policies and annual reports) so supporters can trust our governance.

By living these values, we aim for clear, measurable outcomes:

Informed patients produce:

People who understand OOKP and feel ready for surgery and follow-up.

Stronger support networks:

Active peer groups and volunteer mentors, so reducing loneliness.

Better patient wellbeing:

Reduced anxiety and better coping, leading to higher quality of life after surgery.

Engaged families produce:

Carers who feel confident helping their loved one, strengthening recovery.

Public benefit produces:

Wider awareness, leading to earlier referrals and more resources for OOKP patients.

Every activity we undertake ties back to our mission of advancing health and education for OOKP patients. In practical terms, success looks like a growing online community, positive patient feedback, and more people finding help through our site and partners.

Once accepted as a registered charity, we'll track these outcomes to ensure we truly deliver public benefit.

We are currently constructing our legal documents and constitution, in order to submit this with a charity commission application, to gain charitable status.

This is a timely process, but we'll inform everyone, by posting a notification on the homepage of this website.

We hope to provide this notification before Christmas 2025 and thank everyone involved for their support and assistance

PLEASE, WISH US LUCK.

PLEASE DONATE

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