Sensory Exchange Group
Location:
Various (South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North and North East Somerset)
Target audience of professionals:
Any professionals from specialist provision who have an interest in supporting children and young people with sensory needs.
Description:
The Sensory Exchange Group holds two meetings a year (twilight sessions) to exchange ideas, resources, discuss books and courses etc. The meetings are mainly held in the local Special Schools but we have met in other settings e.g. VI Resource Base. We also have a sensory-exchange Google group - please contact Kate with your email address if you want to be included.
Contact:
Kate Sullivan
Support Teacher for MSI Children
Deafblind Coordinator
Elmfield House
Greystoke Avenue
Westbury-on -Trym
Bristol, BS10 6AY
Tel: 0117 903 8441
Email address kate.sullivan@bristol.gov.uk
VITAL (Visual Impairment Touches All Learning) Network
Location:
National: South West Group meets regularly in Taunton, Somerset.
Target audience of professionals:
VITAL is a network of professionals working with children with complex needs and visual impairment. VITAL is facilitated by RNIB but is mainly comprised of teaching and associated professionals working in schools, services, early years and health settings.
Description:
VITAL has become a network of regional focus groups, that all are linked and represented on a national steering group. Focus groups are now operating around the country, providing an opportunity for visiting teachers of the visually impaired, school teaching staff and assistants, early years workers and other professionals to meet together for professional development and networking.
Groups meet twice a year, to hear presentations and discuss topics relating to complex needs. We currently have groups in the following areas:
Contact:
If you would like to find out about or join a group near you, contact vital@rnib.org.uk or telephone 0113 386 2815 for more information.
Website:
RNIB VITAL Network
Networks and Special Interest Groups near you!
If you attend or know of a network or special interest group for professionals with an interest in visual impairment in your area and would like it included in the RNIB Network Directory, please let us know at cypf@rnib.org.uk or call us on 0121 665 4213.
Don't forget to check out our National Network Groups page, containing information on national networks and special interest groups which meet all over the UK as well as online networks!