Councillor Rags Sandhu and his wife were invited by HM King Charles III to attend the first Garden Party of the season at Buckingham Palace on 7th May 2025, joining a hand-picked gathering of distinguished individuals from across the United Kingdom in recognition of their service to communities nationwide.
What Happens at a Royal Garden Party?
Each year, the King invites approximately 8,000 guests to each Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, selecting individuals who have made meaningful contributions to public life. Attendees on 7th May included politicians, leaders of charity organisations, industrialists, Lords and Ladies -- a true cross-section of those working to improve life across the UK.
As a councillor for Bexleyheath Ward in the London Borough of Bexley and a District Officer for Lions Clubs International, it was an immense honour to be among those recognised. The event provided a rare opportunity to discuss grassroots community work with some of the most influential figures in the country.
What Did Rags Sandhu Discuss with the Duchess of Edinburgh?
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a detailed conversation with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who serves as patron of Lions Clubs International. We spoke at length about the vision scanning programme currently rolling out across District 105SE -- a free service that provides eye screening for school children aged 5 to 7, designed to pick up early signs of eye disorders before they can affect a child's learning and development.
The Duchess also remembered the MIAB (Message in a Bottle) initiative and its significant impact on people living alone or those facing language barriers. MIAB ensures that essential medical information is readily available to emergency services, a simple concept that has already helped thousands of vulnerable residents across the UK.
Why Does the Vision Scanning Programme Matter?
The numbers speak for themselves. Around 1 in 5 children in the UK has an undetected vision problem by the time they start school. Our programme targets children aged 5-7, the critical window when conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) are most treatable. The screening is entirely free of charge and takes just minutes per child, yet it can prevent a lifetime of impaired sight.
As District Vision Officer, I have been working to expand this programme across south-east England, building on the success of earlier screenings carried out through our community initiatives. Early detection leads to early treatment -- and for many families, that makes all the difference.
How Does This Connect to Work in Bexleyheath?
Serving Bexleyheath Ward means advocating for residents not just at the local council level but on the national stage. Events like the Garden Party provide a platform to raise awareness of programmes that directly benefit our community. The vision scanning programme, for instance, has already been delivered in schools within the London Borough of Bexley and continues to expand.
You can read more about my priorities for the ward and the values that guide my work on behalf of residents.
Get in Touch
If you would like to learn more about the vision scanning programme, the Message in a Bottle scheme, or any of my work as your councillor, please do not hesitate to contact me. Whether you are a parent interested in bringing the screening to your child's school or a community group looking for support, I am always happy to hear from you.
Cllr Rags Sandhu Bexleyheath Ward, London Borough of Bexley