Children, young people and families service - Northern Ireland

We want blind and partially sighted children and young people, aged 25 and under, to enjoy the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities and quality of life as those who have full sight.

Here you will find information on how we can help, and contact details to find out more.

Our services

We provide a range of services for blind and partially sighted children and young people and their families in Northern Ireland. Our team also offer specialist services to those who support them in education, recreation and the wider community.

These include:

Support for young people

If you’re a young person with vision impairment, our one-to-one support could help increase your independence, self-confidence and life skills. For example:
  • Support with applying to university/college – including applying for Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA).
  • Employment - build your skills, qualifications, and work experience through taking part in our Realise project and the Eye Work Too project
  • Signposting to local and international volunteering opportunities 
  • Signposting to other agencies and support services
 

Activities and events

Our activities and events help to stimulate children’s senses. Family activities provide fun for all the children and offer information and support for parents/carers. We also offer confidence building events for young people.
 
Find out more about our activities and events for children, young people and families in Northern Ireland.
 

Andrea Begley supports RNIB NI

Andrea Begley supports RNIB NI

Watch this video featuring Andrea talking about what inspired her to become an ambassador for our charity in Northern Ireland and elaborates on her own sight loss journey. Andrea, who won The Voice UK in 2013, is a long term supporter of our work here within the sight loss community living in Northern Ireland.

Youth Inclusion Hub

We’re proud to be a part of the Youth Inclusion Hub in Northern Ireland.

The Youth Inclusion Hub supports youth workers in promoting inclusion in mainstream youth clubs and activities. We advise on matters concerning inclusive youth work in Northern Ireland, such as working with young people with a disability.

The Hub is a combined project between Mencap, RNIB NI, Lilac Project, Disability Sports Northern Ireland (DSNI), Cedar Foundation and the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS)

Visual awareness training for leaders

We can deliver expert training in visual awareness to any youth club, group or organisation that works with young people aged 16 to 25. Gain the skills and confidence to fully include someone with sight loss in events and activities.
 
These interactive training sessions can be customised, and at a time or place that suits you. You could also opt to bring a group to ‘The Dark Experience’, our specially designed sight loss simulation course at Belfast Activity Centre. 
 

Looking Ahead

Download a copy of our publication 'Looking Ahead: a parent's guide' for parents and carers of children with sight loss.
 
This booklet attempts to set out a road map of services and organisations that you and your child may encounter through the sight loss journey here in Northern Ireland. It’s available in PDF and MS Word format:

Contact us

Find out more about the support, advice and activities our Northern Ireland team offer:

Find out more

Donate now

Right now we can only reach one in three of the people who need our help most. Please make a donation and help us support more blind and partially sighted people.

Donate now