Contact us
To gain access to RNIB services in the North West of England, contact one of the two North West regional offices:
North West Regional Team
The Gateway Centre
71 London Road
Liverpool
L3 8HY
Telephone: 0151 298 3222
Fax: 0151 298 3250
Email: RNIBNorthWest@rnib.org.uk
Opening hours
The Gateway Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
The Resource Centre opening hours are as follows:
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Monday: 9.30am - 2pm
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Tuesday: 9.30am - 4.30pm
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Wednesday: 9.30am - 2pm
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Thursday: 9.30am - 4.30pm
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Friday: 9.30am - 4pm
We also open occasionally on Saturday mornings: please contact us for information.
Please telephone before making a special journey to check we are open as the above opening hours are subject to occasional changes.
RNIB North West - Tarporley
Transcription Centre
67 High Street
Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 0DP
Telephone: 01829 73 21 15
Fax: 01829 73 24 98
Email: tarporley@rnib.org.uk
Opening hours
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Monday: 8.45am - 8pm
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Tuesday to Friday: 8.45am - 5pm
Events
Visit our events noticeboard for events in the North West for blind and partially sighted people, their friends and family, and professionals.
Resource Centre
Our Resource Centre and shop offers advice, information, product demonstrations and sales. Please call in to find out more information about services from RNIB and other organisations, or try some products.
To contact the resource centre, email actionnorthwest@actionforblindpeople.org.uk or telephone 0151 298 3220.
Job vacancies
For opportunities with RNIB in the North West, visit our Jobs page.
Services overview
Download the introduction to RNIB services in the North West (PDF, 365KB) to find out how we can help you.
Employment and lifelong learning
Vocational guidance
We can help you explore a wide range of career options. We often start with an informal discussion called a Vocational Guidance Interview. As part of this, we discuss your visual impairment, possible aids, support and sources of further help.
Employment
We provide specialist information, advice, vocational guidance and training to blind and partially sighted people who are seeking work, considering training or further study, or thinking about a career change.
We also offer, in partnership with other agencies, employment programmes to intensively support blind and partially sighted people into employment, such as our 'Connect to Work' programme. For clients already in work, our employment team provides specialist assessments of people's support and equipment needs.
Post-16 education and Lifelong Learning
We provide specialist advice and support to blind and partially sighted students who attend, or who have plans to attend, further and higher education. We also work in partnership with a number of colleges and universities to enhance the quality of learning and teaching for blind and partially sighted students.
Work placements - specialist support
For job seekers
RNIB's Employment and Lifelong Learning (ELL) Team also provide advice and support to blind and partially sighted people who are looking for relevant work experience.
Finding a good work experience placement can be very difficult for many blind and partially sighted individuals. With an ever-increasing emphasis from Government on having skills for the global economy, work experience provides an ideal opportunity to develop and gain specific job skills, and to develop transferable skills, as well as testing out possible career options.
For agencies and employers
We also give specialist advice and practical support to agencies and employers about making work experience placements accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
It is vital that work placements are fully accessible to blind and partially sighted individuals. RNIB ELL officers can provide specialist information, advice and support to placement providers (for example, about making ICT systems accessible) to ensure that placements are inclusive, taking into account the needs of blind and partially sighted individuals.
For more information about both these services, please contact the ELL team on telephone number 0151 298 3222.
Liverpool Community College and RNIB Partnership
RNIB and Liverpool Community College are working in partnership to ensure that students receive all the facts about their learning programme, support services and future options. The Partnership exists to provide blind and partially-sighted learners with the best possible learning experience.
Family services
Family Services Officers provide support to parents, children and young people who are blind or partially sighted and to their families. You can get access to help and support and take part in events and activities for the whole family.
For more details and who to contact, see Parents' Place.
Health and social care
Our Health and Social Care (HSC) service provides advice, information and support to service users, carers and a range of professionals in the health and social care sectors.
We have also developed expertise in the delivery of commissioned statutory services. We have been awarded Eye Clinic Liaison (ECLO), rehabilitation and guide communicator contracts in the North West. We also deliver training and consultancy services through a community outreach officer.
Services in support of the Health Sector
RNIB services in the North West provide a range of specialist services to assist Health Service Professionals and Organisations across the region. From three centres based in Liverpool, Stockport and Tarporley (Cheshire), we can give advice and support or directly deliver service provision.
Technology and Accessibility
Technology services
We offer:
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Workplace assessments for people in work
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Advice in up-to-date access technologies
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Consultancies to companies and public bodies
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Access technology training to organisations and individuals
We also run Technology Advice Days at our Liverpool Resource Centre and in conjunction with local societies.
ICT Consultancy Services
Our Technology Team provides a unique consultancy service for advice and guidance on how technology can help you to recruit and retain staff members who are blind or partially-sighted.
Transcription services
Our transcription service converts printed text into alternative formats such as digital audio, braille, large print and e-text. This enables blind and partially sighted people to access information for employment, education and everyday living needs. It also ensures compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
RNIB Access consultancy
The aim of the consultancy is to support disabled people lead full and independent lives by improving access to built, pedestrian and transport environments.
Training and consultancy
We can find the right course and training for you!
We run education courses, technology courses and health and social care courses in the North West, helping professionals support children and adults with sight problems.
We also offer visual awareness training suitable for front-line staff, managers and anyone who would like to offer services which are valued by blind and partially sighted people.
Welfare Benefits: how we can help
Our enquiry and advocacy service provides support on education and employment issues, benefits and welfare rights. We also provide information for individuals with additional disabilities and those working with them.
We can connect you to RNIB's national services, including music, mobility, education, braille, books, publications, technology, benefits, hotels and our popular Talking Book Service. We also have information and publications on a range of other subjects.
Campaigning
Our Regional Campaigns Officer works to enable more blind and partially-sighted people to become involved in campaigning and to gather local support for RNIB campaigns. Support is also available to you if you wish to campaign on local issues in your area. Find out more about our campaigns.
Making our services accessible
Our services are designed to be accessible to you, whatever your disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexuality or age. Information about our services can be made available in your preferred format and language.