RNIB and Girlguiding South West England partner to inspire girls to create more accessible communities

The partnership will bring together Girlguiding South West England’s network of 42,389 young members and 11,496 volunteers with RNIB’s expertise as the UK’s leading sight loss charity.

A key part of the partnership will be the development of a bespoke challenge pack and badge for Girlguiding South West England members, from Rainbows through to Rangers. The pack resources will include practical, educational and activities designed to help girls learn about the experiences of blind and partially sighted people and the everyday actions that can make communities more inclusive.

The partnership aims to help young members and volunteers with a vision impairment feel represented and included within Girlguiding South West England, as well as to supporting young people to develop positive habits early, giving them the knowledge and confidence to recognise barriers and take simple steps to improve accessibility.

It also reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to inclusion, learning and community action.

Rebecca Smith, Communications and Engagement Manager for Girlguiding South West England, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with RNIB. Their work to support people with sight loss, and to help others better understand how they can provide support, makes a real difference in communities across the country. Through this partnership, our volunteers and young members will have the opportunity to challenge misconceptions, build greater awareness and understanding of sight loss, and learn how small actions can make a big impact.

"The exciting activities in the resource pack will help our members to explore these topics in a fun and inclusive way, while reinforcing our message that all girls can do anything. We hope the knowledge and confidence they gain will not only benefit them, but also help create more inclusive experiences for people with sight loss they meet throughout their lives.”

Eleanor Thompson, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Social Action at RNIB, said: “We are delighted to be working with Girlguiding South West England to help girls and young women learn more about sight loss and the everyday actions we can all take to make communities more inclusive. Small actions like putting your bin back and keeping pavements clear can make a big difference to blind and partially sighted people.

“By building understanding early, we can support the next generation to recognise barriers and play their part in improving accessibility and inclusivity for people with sight loss.”

Find out more about how small changes can make a big difference for blind and partially sighted people.

All media enquiries to RNIB’s PR team on [email protected] or for urgent enquiries out-of-hours, please call07968 482812.

Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives. A different world where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are.

RNIB. See differently.

Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk

Girlguiding South West England is one of the nine countries and regions of Girlguiding, the UK’s leading youth organisation for girls and young women. Guiding is offered to Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger units throughout the region’s 16 Guiding counties and islands. We help all girls know they can do anything. We help them know that, whether they’re 4 or 18 or in between. All girls have a home at Girlguiding - whoever they are, and wherever they are. We show them a world of possibilities, big and small. We help them think big and be bold in a space where they can be themselves, get creative, explore, and have fun. We’re a powerful collective voice – with girls, led by girls – changing the world for the better.

We’re over 42,000 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, who come together to laugh, learn, explore and have adventures, in communities across the UK, Channel Islands, and virtually. We're almost 11,500 volunteers who make guiding happen by giving time, talent and enthusiasm. The Guide Association South West England. Registered Charity No. 305951