In your community
Meet or connect with others who are blind or partially sighted to share interests, experiences and support for each other.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team can help you find opportunities within RNIB and the wider world.
Our peer support contacts can provide a safe environment for you to share, learn and build peer friendships.
Our Community Access officers working in the Northern and Belfast Health and Social Care Trusts provide person-centred practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people within their local community to build confidence and independence.
RNIB's Facebook groups are a welcoming and supportive space for people affected by sight loss. Become part a community united by shared experiences by joining your local group today at facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI.
Get in touch to find out more!
September 2026
Check out our programme for this month. Registration for all events is essential, as detailed below.
Apple Get Started - Accessibility Features for Vision Loss
Discover Apple accessibility features like Zoom, Spoken Content and Magnifier, and how they can support people with vision loss. Bring your own Apple device or use one provided.
Where: Apple Store Belfast, 3 Cornmarket, Belfast, BT1 4DA.
When: Wednesday, 2 September.
Time: 11am.
Contact: Fiona Joyce at [email protected] or 0751 4623 182.
Registration is essential.
Hillsborough Castle Garden Walk
Where: Hillsborough Castle.
When: Friday, 4 September.
Time: 10am: meet at Grand Central Station Belfast, or 10.50am: meet at village castle gates.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 0751 4623 182.
Registration is essential.
Omagh Meet Up
Come along and meet people and listen to two speakers on the day; one in relation to individual medical conditions and another from the Western Trust to talk about what the Western Trust can do internally to support the blind and partially sighted community.
Where: Omagh Community House.
When: Monday, 7 September.
Time: 2pm to 4pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Ulster Museum Visit
Where: Ulster Museum, Belfast.
When: Tuesday, 8 September – Discover History (Neolithic); 13 October – Discover Nature (Dinosaurs); Tuesday, 10 November – Discover Art (RUA exhibition); Tuesday, 8 December – Discover History (Christmas theme).
Time: 1.45pm to 3pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
Grand Central Station Tour
An introduction to the accessibility features in Belfast’s Grand Central Station with an opportunity to learn about NaviLens and meet others from across Northern Ireland. This session will be led by Danielle Campbell, Accessibility Manager, Translink.
Where: Grand Central Station, Belfast.
When: Wednesday, 9 September.
Time: 12.30pm for 2pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
All Out Trekking
This is an inclusive outdoor experience for people to access the walking and mountain bike trails at Gosford Forest Park using four wheeled, battery-powered, all terrain buggies. Delivered in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council.
Where: Gosford Forest Park, Armagh.
When: Thursday, 10 September.
Time: 11am.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
VI Tennis
Delivered in partnership with Recruitment Day. You can travel by public transport and be met and directed to the venue on the day.
Where: Ozone Centre, Ormeau Embankment, Belfast.
When: Friday, 11 September.
Time: 11am.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Glaucoma Support Group
This session will focus on how to get the most out of your Glaucoma Clinic appointment.
Where: RNIB NI, Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LS.
When: Tuesday, 15 September.
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07734980687.
Dry Slope Skiing
A progressive four-week course delivered in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council. Beginners welcome.
Where: Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre, Lurgan.
When: Wednesday, 16 September to Wednesday, 7 October.
Time: 11am to 12.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Sightless Cinema
An eight-week workshop to create a drama piece. You can travel to Belfast by public transport to Grand Central Station, and someone will meet you and walk with you to the venue.
Where: The Accidental Theatre, 12-13 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB.
When: Thursday, 17 September.
Time: 11am to 1pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Regular RNIB activity
Downpatrick Out and About
Connect with others with sight loss in Downpatrick and learn about RNIB services and support.
Where: Downpatrick.
When: Last Wednesday of month.
Time: 11am to 12.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
LGBTQ+ Online monthly Meet Up
An online meet up with members from across the UK. New members welcome.
Where: Online via Teams.
When: Third Wednesday of the month.
Time: 6.30pm to 7.45pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Newry Out and About
Connect with others with sight loss from the Newry area and learn about RNIB services and support.
Where: Newry.
When: Second Thursday of month.
Time: 11am to 12.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
Antrim Walk and Talk
Where: Antrim Castle Gardens.
When: First Thursday of the month.
Time: 10.30am.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
VI Gaming
An online social group for a chat about gaming.
Where: Online via Teams.
When: Every Thursday.
Time: 4pm to 5pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
Portadown Out and About
Meet others with sight loss from the Portadown area and learn about RNIB services and support.
Where: Portadown.
When: Last Friday of month.
Time: 11am to 12.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
18 to 35 Group
This is a fun, welcoming group. If you are 18-35 and want to meet up with others, contact Fiona for more information.
Where: Various locations.
When: Saturday (once a month)
Time: 11am to 3pm
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07514623182.
Registration is essential.
Monthly brunches
Organised by volunteers, these brunches offer people living with sight loss the chance to get together for a chat and have a bite! Everybody welcome.
Limavady Brunch
Where: Rosmar Café, Limavady.
When: First Tuesday of every month.
Time: 10.45am.
Contact: Phone George on: 07732171044.
Foyle Monthly Brunch
Where: The Jamm Café, Richmond Centre, Derry.
When: First Thursday of every month.
Time: 12pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07860607328.
Ards Brunch Group
Where: Regency Cafe, Main Street, Newtownards.
When: Third Wednesday of every month.
Time: 11am.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Armagh Brunch Group
Where: Armagh City Hotel, Armagh. This venue changes from time to time so please check in with Lynette
When: Third Thursday of every month.
Time: 11.30am.
Contact: Email: Lynette Elliot on [email protected]
Ballymena Brunch Group
Where: Fayre Grill Café, 27 Wellington Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AD
When: Fourth Tuesday of every month.
Time: 11am.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Other Support
RNIB Talk and Support Phone Groups
RNIB’s Talk and Support team run free phone talking groups for adults with sight loss across the UK. They provide an opportunity for people to socialise in small groups by phone to build friendships.
The team match individuals together for conversations based on group preferences and specialised interests.
For more information contact Talk and Support telephone befriending social groups | RNIB.
RNIB Emotional Support Groups
RNIB is running a new series of emotional support groups for blind and partially sighted people.
They are facilitated by a qualified counsellor and provide a confidential and therapeutic space where you can receive support from a professional and others with a similar eye condition or life experience.
Each group runs on teams with audio format only for eight weeks, with a maximum of seven participants, ensuring plenty of time to connect and be supported.
- Charles Bonnet Syndrome Group
- Retinitis Pigmentosa Group
- Seeking Employment Group
- Staying in Employment Group
- Sight loss after stroke Group
- Glaucoma Group
- Age-related Macular Degeneration Group
- Diabetes and Sight loss group
- Seeing it through groups - this group is open to anyone experiencing sight loss.
- Friends and Family group
Self-refer to the coordinator and counsellor by emailing: [email protected] and of course you can refer through RNIB's helpline too: 03031239999.
RNIB Awareness to Action – Understanding Sight Loss sessions
This session is designed and delivered by people who are blind or partially sighted, bringing lived experience insight, and is supported by an RNIB staff member.
This session is very useful for family and friends who want to better support someone with sight loss.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Gain an understanding of the emotional and practical realities of living with sight loss
- Learn how to recognise when someone is blind or partially sighted
- Understand the different levels and types of sight loss
- Develop practical skills to communicate with and assist people with sight loss
- An introduction to RNIB support and services
- Q + A
For more information contact [email protected]
RNIB Connect Radio
RNIB Connect Radio broadcasts 24/7 and serves as your very own radio station. Enjoy a mix of information, entertainment and interviews hosted by our blind and partially sighted presenters.
Book groups in partnership with Libraries NI
Ards Library Read Aloud
Where: Ards Library, Main Street, Newtownards
When: First Wednesday in the month.
Time: 11am to 12pm.
Contact: [email protected] or phone: 028 9181 4732.
Armagh City Library Read Aloud
When: Wed 23 Sept
Time: 11am to 12pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone: 028 3752 4072.
Bangor Audio Book club
Where: Ava Restaurant, 132 Main Street, Bangor BT20 4AG
When: First Tuesday of the month.
Time: 2pm.
Contact: Phone Ken Carson on: 07753599985.
Ballymena Library Read Aloud
Where: Ballymena Central Library, Pats Brea, Ballymena.
When: Third Thursday in the month.
Time: 11am to 12pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 028 2563 3950.
Belfast Central Library Read Aloud
Where: Central Library, Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1EA.
When: Every Friday.
Time: 2.30pm.
Contact: Phone Libraries NI on: 028 9050 9150.
Cookstown Stories, Tea and Chat
Where: Cookstown library
When: Third Wednesday of every month.
Time: 2pm to 3pm.
Contact: Phone Cookstown Library on: 028 867 63702.
External Activity for Blind and Partially Sighted People
ABC Walking Club
Where: Parks across Portadown, Lurgan and Banbridge areas.
When: Fourth Wednesday of every month.
Time: 9.30am to 3pm.
Contact: Phone: Doreen McFarlane on: 07734723575.
Archery For Everyone
If interested in joining the beginners course, contact David: [email protected]
Armagh Orchard VIP Group
Where: Community Centre, Dobbin Street, Armagh
When: Tuesday afternoons every fortnight.
Time: 2.45pm to 4.15pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] and Una will signpost you to Ann Curran.
Atlanta Swimming Club
Where: Shankill Leisure Centre, Belfast.
When: Every Wednesday.
Time: 11am to 12pm.
Contact: Contact Mina Gillespie via the [email protected]
Please note there is a waiting list for this activity.
Banbridge VIP Group
Where: Anglers Building, Havlock Park, Church Street, Banbridge.
When: First Wednesday of the month.
Time: 2.30 to 4.30pm.
Contact: Contact Doreen McFarlane on 07734723575.
New Members Welcome.
Bangor VI Bowls
Where: Bangor, County Down.
When: Every Wednesday.
Time: 2pm.
Contact: Joe Bourke on: 07532758755.
Bangor
There's lots happening in the Bangor area too, including book clubs, groups for men, bowling and much more.
Contact [email protected] for information.
Ballee VIP club
Music and dancing every fortnight.
Where: Ballee VIP club in Ballymena
When: Wednesday.
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Contact: Sammy McAuley on 07808881520 or Ballee VIP Facebook page.
Belfast Acorn Arts Group
Where: Divis Community Centre, Belfast.
When: Every Thursday.
Time: 10am to 12pm.
Contact: [email protected]
Belfast VI Bowls
Where: Grove Bowling Club, York Road, Belfast.
When: Every Tuesday.
Time: 10.30am- 1pm.
Contact: [email protected]
Belfast Edgecumbe VIP Social Club
Where: Inverary Community Centre, East Belfast.
When: Thursdays, fortnightly.
Time: 7pm to 9pm. New members welcome
Contact: [email protected]
Belfast East, VI Tennis
Where: CIYMS Tennis Club, 91 Circular Road, Belfast
When: Friday.
Time: 11am to 1pm.
Contact: [email protected]
Belfast South, VI Tennis
Where: Centre Facilitated by Windsor Tennis Club.
Time: 11am - 1pm.
Contact: Simon McFarland by phoning: 07851282210.
Belfast Walk (West)
Where: Front gate of Falls Park, Belfast.
When: Every Friday
Time: 10.30am.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Causeway Boccia
Where: Coleraine West Community Centre, The Rope Walk, Coleraine.
When: Every Wednesday.
Time: 2pm to 3.15pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07711190440.
Causeway VI Judo
Open to new members. Cost £3 per session. Takes place weekly.
Where: North Coast Grappling, 17 Victoria Street, Ballymoney.
When: Tuesdays.
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07711190440.
Causeway VI Judo
Open to new members. Cost £3 per session.
Where: North Coast Grappling, 17 Victoria Street, Ballymoney.
When: Every Thursday.
Time: 5:30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07711190440.
Cookstown Insight Social Support Group
Where: Cookstown Library, 13 Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DJ.
When: Second Monday of each month.
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07711190440.
Derry Community Quiz
Where: Foyle Street, Derry.
When: First Tuesday every month.
Time: 2pm to 3.30pm.
Contact: [email protected]
Fermanagh VIP Club
Where: Enniskillen British Legion.
When: Every second Friday.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Greenisland Social Support Group
Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue, Greenisland.
When: First Monday in month.
Time: 2pm to 4pm.
Contact: [email protected]
Greenisland Boccia
Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue, Greenisland.
When: Third Monday of the month
Time: 2pm to 4pm.
Contact: [email protected]
HAM Radio Group
Where: Online via zoom.
When: Second Tuesday of the month.
Time: 8pm.
Contact: Email: [email protected] or phone: 07702140761.
Lisburn Outlook
From coffee mornings to tandem cycling, if you live in, or near, Lisburn, please contact [email protected] to receive the area newsletter.
Lurgan Tandem Riding and walking group
Always looking for new people to give the tandems a go - and there is always a cup of tea and chat at the ready!
Where: Lurgan Park.
When: Ongoing.
Time: 7pm.
Contact: Doreen on: 07734723575.
Newtownabbey Swim Group
Where: Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey.
When: Every Friday.
Time: 9.15am to 11.30am.
Contact: [email protected]
Talking Newspapers
Free audio versions of local news which is sent to users by post (Articles for the Blind means post is free of charge). Some Talking Newspapers also offer a podcast.
Email: [email protected] to find out what's in your area and to sign up.
Contact our team
To join or find out more about any of the above groups contact our RNIB Northern Ireland Social Action Team:
Jonathan Adams
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0771 119 0440
Fiona Joyce
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 028 903 34105
Mobile 0751 462 3182
Una Mulgrew
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0770 214 0761
