In your community

Greenisland Social support group

Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue
When: First Monday in month
Time: 2-4pm
Contact: [email protected]

Greenisland Boccia

Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue
When: Third Monday of the month
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Contact: [email protected]

The Tandem Riding and walking group

Where: Lurgan Park

When: starts up again on Monday 13 April

Time: at 7pm

Always looking new people to give the tandems a go - and there is always a cup of tea and chat at the ready!

Contact: Doreen on [email protected]

RNIB drop-in Tech Hub in the Belfast office

These Tech Hubs are arranged by drop-in, first come, first served basis so there’s no need to book – no appointment needed. Our volunteers can offer advice and support you on how to make the most of the accessibility features of your smartphone or tablet. Whether you need basic training, or wish to update your existing skills, we can help. Please bring your device with you.

When: First Tuesday every month
Where: RNIB, Victoria House (first floor), 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LS.
Time: 11am to 1pm
Contact: email [email protected]

Limavady Brunch group (Monthly)
Where: Rosmar Cafe, Main Street, Limavady
When: First Tuesday every month
Time: 11am
A chance for the VI community in Limavady area and beyond to get together for a chat and have a bite!
Contact: : [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.

HAM Radio Group
Facilitated by Lynette Elliott
Where: Online via zoom
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 8pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile 07702 140 761.

Ballymena Brunch group (Monthly)

Where: Fayre grill Cafe, 27 Wellington Street, BT43 6AD
When: Fourth Tuesday every month
Time: 11am
A chance for the VI community in Ballymena area and beyond to get together for a chat and have a bite!
Contact: : [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761

VI Bowls at Pickie Bowling club, Bangor

Where: Ward Park, Bangor, Co Down
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 2pm
Contact: Joe Bourke 07532758755

Belfast Mulch and Munch gardening club

Where: Mersey Street, East Belfast
When: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07802 865579.

Ards Brunch group (Monthly)

Where: Regency Cafe, Main Street, Newtownards
When: Third Wednesday every month
Time: 11am
A chance for the VI community in Ards area and beyond to get together for a chat and have a bite!
Contact: : [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.

LGBTQ+ online monthly meet up (UK wide)
Where: Online via teams
When: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 6.30pm to 7.45pm
New members welcome
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.

Downpatrick out and about – Connect with others with sight loss

Where: Downpatrick
When: Last Wednesday of month
Time:11am-12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.

Causeway Coast VI Bowls / IBF Disability hub (Indoor)

Where: Ballybrakes Indoor Bowling Club, Ballymoney
When: Every Thursday
Time: 10am to 12pm
Cost: £3 per person
Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07711190440.

VI Gaming – A social group for a chat about gaming

Where: Online via Teams
When: every Thursday
Time: 4pm to 5pm
Contact to register via email [email protected] or mobile 07514 623182.

Foyle Brunch group (Venue change) (Monthly)
Where: Sandwich & Co, Bishop Street, Derry City
When: First Thursday every month
Time: 12pm noon
A chance for the VI community in Foyle area and beyond to get together for a chat and have a bite!
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07860 607 328

Newry out and about – Connect with others with sight loss

Where: Newry (various locations)
When: Second Thursday of month (Commencing in February)
Time:11am-12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.

Armagh brunch group (Monthly)

Where: Armagh City Hotel
When: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 11.30am
A chance for the VI community in Armagh and beyond to get together for a chat and have a bite!
Contact: Lynette Elliot on [email protected]

West Belfast Walk – in partnership with Disability Sport NI
Where: Front gate of Falls Park
When: every Friday
Time: 10.30am.
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07702 140761.

Newtownabbey Swim Group
Where: Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey
When: Every Friday
Time: 9.15am to11.30am
Contact: [email protected]

Bangor VI Campaign group

Where: Bangor Library, Hamilton Road, BT20 4LH
When: Bi-Monthly on the first Friday
Time: 12pm (Noon) - next date is April
Contact: Ken Carson on 07753599985
NB: Ken is the lead RNIB Connector for the Bangor area - so if you have any queries or want to check out everything going on for blind and partially sighted people living in or accessible to Bangor - please feel free to ring Ken during working hours, Ken will return your call if he is unable to accept it at the time

Portadown out and about – Meet others with sight loss

Where: Portadown (various locations).
When: Last Friday of month
Time: 11.00am-12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.

18-35 Group
Where: Various locations
When: Saturday 24th January
Time: 11am to 3pm
This is a fun, welcoming group. If you are 18-35 and want to meet up with others, contact Fiona for more information.
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.

The Read Aloud groups provide the opportunity to listen to books read by the librarian. There are also other forms of book group such as audio and online.

(Tea / biscuits provided by the libraries).

Ards 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

Ballymena Read Aloud

Where: Ballymena Central Library, Pats Brea, Ballymena
When: Third Thursday in the month
Time:11am to 12pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone: 028 2563 3950

Bangor Audio Book club
Where: Ava Restaurant, 132 Main Street, Bangor BT20 4AG
When: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 2pm
Contact: Ken Carson on 07753599985

Cookstown Tea, Story & Chat (Monthly)

Where: Cookstown Library, 13 Burn Road, Cookstown BT80 8DJ
When: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Facilitated by: the Branch manager
Contact: Cookstown Library on 028 8676 3702.

Online Book Group

Where: Facilitated by Libraries NI via Zoom
When: Last Thursday in the month
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Contact: [email protected] or telephone: 028 9085 4789.

Derry/Londonderry Read aloud

Where: Derry City Library
When: Thursday (fortnightly)
Time: 11.30am to 12.30pm Facilitated by Libraries NI
Contact: [email protected] or phone: 028 7122 9990

Limavady
Where: Limavady Library
When: First Monday of the month
Time: 10.30am

Belfast
Where: Cregagh Library, Belfast
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 11am to 12.30pm

Carrickfergus
Where: Northlands Court, Northlands
When: Fourth Tuesday of the month
Time: 11am-12.30pm

Newtownabbey
Where: Meet in Glengormley Library
When: Second Wednesday of the month
Time:11am to 12.30pm

Antrim
Where: All Saints Parish Centre
When: Fourth Wednesday of the month
Time: 2pm-3pm

Larne
Where: Larne Market Yard
When: Fourth Thursday of the month
Time: 10.30am to 12pm

Coleraine
Where: First Coleraine Presbyterian Church Hall
When: Second Thursday of the month
Time: 1pm to 3pm

Ballymena
Where: First Ballymena Presbyterian Church Hall
When: Third Tuesday of the Month
Time: 10.30am to 12pm

For all queries please call Macular Society Helpline on 0300 3030 111.

Insight Social support Group, Cookstown

Where: Cookstown Library: 13 Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DJ, Tel: 028 8676 3702 When: Second Monday of each month
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07711190440

VI Bowls Belfast

Where: Grove Bowling Club, York Road
When: Every Tuesday
Time: 10.30am- 1pm Facilitated by Irish Bowls Federation
Contact: [email protected]

VI Judo Causeway (Tuesdays)

£3 per session
Open to new members
Where: North Coast Grappling, 17 Victoria St, Ballymoney
When: Tuesdays (weekly)
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07711190440

Armagh Orchard VIP group (fortnightly)

Where: Community Centre Dobbin Street, Armagh
When: Tuesday afternoons every fortnight
Time: 2.45pm - 4.15pm
Contact: [email protected] and Una will signpost you to Ann Curran

Banbridge VIP Group

Where: Anglers Building, Havlock Park, Church Street, Banbridge
When: First Wednesday of the month
Time: 2.30 to 4.30pm
Contact: Doreen McFarlane 07734723575
New Members Welcome

Causeway Boccia

Where: Coleraine West Community Centre, The Rope Walk, Coleraine
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 2pm –3.15pm
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07711190440

Ballee VIP club - music and dancing
Where: Ballee VIP club in Ballymena
When: Wednesday evenings fornightly
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Contact: Sammy McAuley on 07808881520 or Ballee VIP Facebook page.

Glaucoma Support Group

Where: face to face and online
When: Second Wed every Quarter June 26
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Contact: Elaine Manson, mobile 07734980687 or [email protected].

Walking club:
Where: Parks across Portadown, Lurgan and Banbridge areas
When: Fourth Wednesday of the month, every month
Time: 9.30am to 3pm
Contact: Doreen McFarlane 07734723575.

Atlanta swimming club
Where: Shankill Leisure Centre
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 11am to 12 noon
Contact: Mina Gillespie, please note there is a waiting list for this activity

Acorn arts group
Where: Divis community Centre
Date: Every Thursday
Time: 10am to 12pm
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761
Note: Open Arts Waiting list in place

Edgecumbe VIP Social Club
Where: Inverary Community Centre, East Belfast -
When: Thursdays, fortnightly
Time: 7 to 9pm New members welcome
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761

VI Judo Causeway (Thursdays)
Where:: North Coast Grappling, 17 Victoria St, Ballymoney
When: Every Thursday
Time: 5:30pm
Cost: £3 per session Open to new members
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 0771119044

VI tennis east Belfast
Where: CIYMS Tennis Club, 91 Circular Road, Belfast
When: Friday
Time: 11am to 1pm
Contact: [email protected]

VI tennis South Belfast-
Where: Centre Facilitated by Windsor tennis club
Time: 11.00am - 1pm
Contact: Simon McFarland, 07851 282210

Fermanagh VIP Club
Where: every second Friday
When: Enniskillen British Legion
Time: for chat and activities
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761

Angel Eyes Event - Wee Critters
Contact: [email protected] or 07873556841

Come along for the afternoon and meet and hold all sorts of wonderful creatures

Seen – Unseen with Artist Clare McLaughlin
Where: Ongoing throughout NI and Ireland
When: Frequently - visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063697414067#
Time: 2.30pm
Contact: Clare McLaughlin on [email protected]

Causeway Accessible Heritage in Partnership with Causeway Museum Service
Contact RNIB Community Access, [email protected] or call 07711190440 for more information or to register interest.

Archery for everyone
If interested in joining the beginners course contact David, [email protected]

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.

Lisburn outlook
From coffee mornings to tandem cycling, if you live in or near Lisburn, please contact [email protected] to receive the area newsletter.

EYE Speak Omagh
Self-organised support group who meet regularly for leisure and learning
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.

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.
Contact [email protected] to find out what's in your area and to sign up

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 RNIB Helpline.

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 8 weeks, with a maximum of 7 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 los
• Friends and Family group

Self refer to the coordinator and counsellor [email protected] and of course you can refer through RNIBs helpline too RNIB Helpline

Awareness to Action - Understanding Sight Loss

RNIB’s Social Action team offers a FOC ‘Awareness to Action – an Understanding Sight Loss’ session for staff and volunteers of organisations who have blind or partially people as part of your clientele or have the potential to do so, we also target friends and family of someone blind or partially sighted.

Structure: relaxed but structured

Delivery:

• This session has been designed by and is delivered by blind or partially sighted people (at least one of the 2 facilitators will have sight loss)
• The session can be delivered online and is no longer than 90 mins long – max 25 people
• it can also be delivered face to face, which can be up to, but no longer than 2 hours – max 20 people

Objectives:

• It will help individuals and teams understand what it is like to life with vision loss
• To recognise someone who is blind or partially sighted
• To understand the different levels of sight loss
• It will give tools to communicate and assist blind and partially sighted people.
• Ask you to actively consider how you might modify your own practice in one small way to make life easier for people with vision loss
• And give 5 top tips to keep good eye health

If you would be interested in availing of one of these sessions please email me on [email protected] or phone on 07702 140 761

I am happy for you to share this information with other potential interested contacts