Family Support and Events

December 2020 update

Following on from the amazing success of our autumn events we can now announce another new spring programme of events for children, young people and their families. Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation we have still suspended our face-to-face events and our new events will all be delivered online.

We will continue to monitor the current situation and hope to resume face-to-face events in the future.

These online events will still aim to deliver the core objectives of our Shape and Share programme.

Each event offers:

• a chance to meet other families
• activities, games or crafts for younger children
• engagement opportunities for young people
• support, information and discussion for families on a range of topics relating to everyday life at home, education, transitions, social life and leisure, mobility and independence
• opportunities to have your say, shape and get involved in local and national campaigns
• information about wider services from RNIB and partner organisations.

All children and young people aged 0-25, their siblings, parents and family members are welcome to attend.

Full details of the events on offer for the autumn term are detailed below.

Our Children, Young People and Family (CYPF) teams can provide information and advice for parents and young people. Contact your local team.

You can book a place on any of the events below by filling out our online booking form.

To be added to our distribution list or for more information about these events please email [email protected].

Spring Events Programme

Each event has a target audience, but this is a guide only, if you have queries about the suitability of an event for your child please contact us. Places are limited so booking early is advised to avoid disappointment.

Please note that during the event we may take screenshot images or recordings of the activities and participants, which may be featured in internal and external RNIB media. This will be fully explained during the event, including how you can opt out and not be featured. Your decision does not in any way affect your involvement in the event and we assure you that we will not use any footage or images without your consent.

Shape and Share – Crafty Creations

Dates and times: 

Session 1 - Thursday 4 February 2021, 16:00-18:00 

Session 2 - Saturday 6 February 2021, 11:00-13:00

Who should attend: Children, young people and their families

Event details: 

We are very excited to be kicking off our spring 2021 programme with a new online fun filled sensory and interactive craft event for all the family. You will have the opportunity to meet with members from the RNIB Children Young People and Families team, say hi to other families from across the UK and spend some quality family fun time with our professional arts and crafts facilitators. When booking please state your preferred session date.

Shape and Share – Keeping Children Safe Online

Date: Thursday 11 February 2020

Time: 19:00-21:00

Who should attend: Parents

Event details:

Come and join our workshop which will look at all aspects of keeping your child or young person safe online. It will cover topics such as cyber bullying, sexting, social media risks, adult content, gaming and online grooming. As part of the session we will also factor in safeguarding and signposting to relevant resources available to support you.

Within this workshop we can’t offer advice on specific individual device parental controls, but we will promote good practice and vigilance across all areas.

Shape and Share – Eye Link, Young people

Topic: To be decided by you

Dates and times: 

Group 1 - Wednesday 24 February and Wednesday 3 March 2021 at 18:00-19:00 (14-17-year olds)

Group 2 - Wednesday 24 February and Wednesday 3 March 2021 at 19:00-20:00 (18-25-year olds)

Do you want to connect with other young people with sight loss of a similar age? If so, we would love to hear from you.

We will be running two online sessions for each age group and we want YOU to pick the theme. Please contact either Roisin Meagher or Rosie Pybus with your suggestions by Friday 8 January 2021 and we will do our best to make the most popular sessions happen. No suggestion too off the wall for consideration. 

Shape and Share – The Pizza Pantry

Date: Saturday 27 February 2021

Time: 11:30-13:00

Who should attend: Children aged 11-16

Event details:

Come and join us for a step by step cookery session, where you can learn how to make your own delicious pizzas from scratch. As we go along we will talk about the different aids and equipment that are available to help, as well as share your hints and tips for cooking. While the pizzas are cooking we will have a quiz. It will be a good opportunity for you to try something new, meet new friends and have fun. 

Shape and Share - The Enormous Crocodile

Date: Saturday 6 March 2021

Time: 11:00 - 12:00

Who should attend: Children aged 5 -12

Event details:

We’ll be celebrating Roald Dahl by reading The Enormous Crocodile together (it’s one of our favourites!), then making some snappy models of the characters so that you can make your own stories with them too.

Shape and Share – Spring Sensory Story

Date: Saturday 20 March 2021

Time: 11:30-12:30

Who should attend: Children and young people with complex needs

Event details: 

Come and hear about the wonders of spring, a magical story bought to life by a music therapist and will include a sensory story session and songs.

Shape and Share – Jump, Jiggle and Jive

Date: Saturday 27 March 

Time: 11:00 – 12:00

Who should attend: Babies and children up to age 5

Event details:

Come along to our online Easter early years session where we will be ‘hopping around’ and having lots of fun through music and movement with our friends at jump jiggle and jive.

Shape and Share – Family Spring Festival

Date: Saturday 10 April 2021

Time: 10:30-12:00

Event details:

Get into your festival gear and come and Join us for a dance party that’ll put the spring in your step, followed by a seasonal scavenger hunt for the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the start of the year. We’ll finish off with some of your highlights from the first three months of 2021!

If you would like to receive a message when our face to face events are back up and running or need any help and support from our team please email us at [email protected].

You can also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].

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• Children, young people and families main page