With support from our Community Access team, feel empowered to get out there and make what you want happen!
We begin with a simple one to one assessment to identify what you want or need
We can talk you through the full range of RNIB support services and refer you to a service if that’s what you want
We can work with you to get the support you need from your local health and social care services
We deliver training in visual awareness to equip organisations with the skills and confidence to include people who are blind or partially sighted in all their activities and services
We work with you in getting involved in the wider community through our established networks and partnerships
Following an audio described tour of Titanic Belfast, Charlene Newell, 57 who’s registered blind from Kilkeel said, “RNIB makes such a difference to us with sight loss - you keep us all connected and feel like we belong to something."
Bowl Back Better – Dander Bowls. 10.30am to 12pm. In Partnership with Irish Bowls Federation and will include a walk and talk as well as bowls outdoors. Facilitated by Coleraine Bowls club, Lodge Rd, Coleraine. Registration is essential to attend, adhering to all Government Covid 19 guidelines. Sanitation stations will be provided, social distancing will also be asked of all participants. For those needing assistance or guide, we would ask participants to arrange this as it will not be provided. Restricted numbers of 12. Registration required. Contact by email [email protected] or call 07711 190440.
Phone group. 2pm to 2.55pm, facilitated by Heather Owens. A social shared phone group for a chat about anything and everything. Contact: [email protected] or 07702 140761.
Read Aloud (monthly)organised by Joe Bourke. Tuesday 10 August from 11.00 to 12pm. Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07702 140761.
HAM Radio(monthly) facilitated by Lynette Elliott Tuesday 10 August from 8pm to approx. 9.30. A Teams session for a chat about HAM Radio. Contact: [email protected] or 07702 140761.
Special event - A Celebration of Sport - Facebook Live - running Tuesday 17 August 12.00pm. Ahead of and during the Paralympics (24 August – 5 Sept) inspirational blind and partially sighted people from Northern Ireland and representatives from various organisations will be live in Facebook Connect NI to showcase their sport and encourage participation. On Tuesday 17 August Tony Barclay will be live in our ‘RNIB Connect NI’ facebook group discussing his achievements in running and park runs: www.facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI Contact: [email protected].
Garden Group (monthly)Tuesday 17 August from 3.30 to 4.25pm. Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07702 140761. A social shared phone group for a chat about gardening.
Cookery Club (monthly) Tuesday 31 August, 2pm – 4pm via Teams. Monthly cook along. Contact: [email protected].
A Celebration of Sport - Facebook Live – Tuesday 31 August, 12pm – Tennis. During the Paralympics (24 August - 5th Sept) inspirational blind and partially sighted people from Northern Ireland and representatives from various organisations will be live in Facebook Connect NI to showcase their sport and encourage participation - On Tuesday 31 August Melanie Stewart (and others TBC) will be live discussing tennis clubs and tennis! www.facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI.
Phone Group.10am to 10.55am, facilitated by Robin Manson. A social shared phone group for a chat about anything and everything. Contact: [email protected] or 07702 140761.
Ards walk and talk (monthly). Noon to 12.55pm. Facilitated by Una Mulgrew. Contact: [email protected] or M: 07702 140761.
LGBTQ Teams talk (UK wide- monthly, every third Wednesday) Wednesday 18 August from 6pm. Contact: [email protected]or 07702 140761. A social shared phone group for a chat about anything and everything.
Gogglebox group (monthly) Wednesday 25 August 4pm to 4.55pm. A Teams chat about the latest TV, Movies and Box sets. Facilitated by Melanie Stewart. Contact: [email protected] or 02890 334105.
Out and about program. 10am to 1pm. Variety of walks. Registration required. Contact: [email protected].
Shared phone group. 2pm to 2.55pm. Facilitated by Alan Owens. A social shared phone group for a chat about anything and everything. Contact: [email protected] or 07702 140761.
Shared phone group. 2pm to 2.55pm. A social shared phone group for a chat about anything and everything. Contact: [email protected] or 07951746093.
Phone group.3pm to 4pm. Contact: [email protected] or 028 90334105. A social shared phone group for a chat about anything and everything.
Read Aloud phone group (fortnightly). Organised by Michael Joyce and facilitated by Deirdre at Derry City Library.11.30am to 12.30pm. Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07702 140761. (Derry folk only).
Walk the ParkRun Programme - 10am to 12pm – various locations. An opportunity to get familiar with local ParkRun 5km routes. Restricted numbers and registration required. Not suitable for those with poor mobility. Contact: [email protected] for locations.
A Celebration of Sport - Facebook Live- Swimming - Thursday 19 August at 12pm. Ahead of and during the Paralympics (24 August - 5th Sept) inspirational blind and partially sighted people from Northern Ireland and representatives from various organisations will be live in Facebook Connect NI to showcase their sport and encourage participation. On Thursday 19 August Sharon McClure from RNIB and blind swimmer Lynette Elliott will be live in our ‘RNIB Connect NI’ facebook group, discussing swimming clubs and swimming! www.facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI.
VI Gaming Group (monthly) - Thursday 26 August from 4pm to 5pm. Via Teams. Contact: [email protected]or 028 90334105.
Special event - Cyber Safety event - Friday 6 August 10am. Facilitated by Allstate Northern Ireland. Virtual session on cyber safety and how to protect yourself on the internet. Registration required. Contact: [email protected].
West Belfast Walk (organised by Disability sports NI)- Friday 6 August 10.30am – 12pm. Restricted numbers - pre book. Contact: [email protected] or 07464146128.
Special event - Sailing day with Sailability Carrickfergus - Friday 13 August 9.30am – 3.45pm. Restricted numbers and registration required. Contact: [email protected].
Facebook LIVE Quiz with Tony Barclay - Friday 27 August from 2pm to 3.30pm. Join: www.facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI.
VI Judo Return to the Mats (TBC). Sat 7 August 2021, 9:30am-11am – New Row Coleraine. Open to new interest. Contact: [email protected] or 07711 190440.
Do you have a story to tell, not your life story just a story in your life that features you! Something entertaining or interesting. Connect hopes to create an audio book of short stories by and for the blind and partially sighted community! We even want to make a mini film made up of interviews, you relating your stories in your words, showing relevant photos and film, so, get crackin’, have a bit of fun, get friends and family involved recording, dictating, touch typing, and get in touch with [email protected]
Please join us when you can for a chat and a bit of craic. We will be facilitating online and telephone activities throughout January and February and everyone is welcome. Contact details for each session are included. Sessions are weekly unless stated otherwise.
RNIB's Facebook groups are a welcoming and supportive space for people affected by sight loss to talk about the issues that matter to them, ask questions, get tips and share their story.
Whether you're blind or partially sighted, or someone who is close to a person with a sight condition, our community-led groups can provide a safe environment for you to talk openly.
Become part a community united by shared experiences by joining your local group today at www.facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI
We can get you started with support or advice in:
Technology or products that might assist you in living more independently
Enquiring about receiving written information in a more accessible way, Bank statements or medical information for example
We can help put you in touch with local mobility services, other voluntary groups or recreational facilities
To find out more about opportunities available now in your community, get in touch and a local member of our team will be happy to help.
Call us on: 0303 123 9999
Email us any time: [email protected]
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