Meet or connect with others who are blind or partially sighted to share interests, experiences and support for each other.
Our friendly, helpful and knowledgeable team can link you up with opportunities to suit you both within RNIB and the wider world.
Our community-led groups can provide a safe environment for you to talk openly. We also have a variety of ways to connect you with others by phone and online - see the list of local groups below that are currently running in your area.
Our Community Access team provide person-centred practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people within their local community to build confidence and independence. Enabling those with sight loss to live a full and independent life.
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!
Chair yoga (for 8 weeks)
Where: AOH Foyle Street, Derry City
When: Monday 2 and 9 June
Time: Arrive at 1.30pm for a 1.45pm start to 2.45pm
Cost: £25 per person for the 4 weeks, payable on the first day
Contact: [email protected] or Una mobile: 07702 140 761.
Community Gardens in Foyle
Location : St Columbs Park
When: Every Thursday in June
Time: 11am to 12ish
Details: Making bird boxes; learning about horticulture
Discover history – the Victorians
Where: Ulster Museum, Belfast.
When: Tuesday 3rd June
Time: 1.30pm - 2.45pm
Handling session and talk facilitated by museum staff
LGBTQ+ pride party for under 25’s
Where: Online
When: Wednesday 4 June
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Contact: [email protected]
RSBC’s LGBTQIA+ Youth Group invites you to an online party to celebrate Pride. This event will be an opportunity to celebrate Pride with vision impaired young people and vision impairment organisations. To book your space, please sign up here: https://lu.ma/2gvvx3io
Braille Session – an introduction with Mary Lea
Where: Limavady Library
When: Friday 6 June
Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Contact: Limavady Library on 028 7776 2540
Bee workshop
Where: Hillsborough Castle
When: Friday 6 June
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07802 865579
Soccer Sight – NI v Iceland
Where : Windsor Park
When: Tuesday 10th June
Time: 7.45pm
Contact: [email protected] or 07802 865579
Free tickets for one adult and ‘carer’ to attend international match and use audio description.
Fishing in ShipQuay Portadown
Where: ShipQuay Prtadown
When: 11 June 25
Time: Meet at 11.55am at Portadown Station – or the 11am train from Belfast Central
Contact: [email protected] or mobile 07702 140 761
More detail: Fishing from 12 to 2pm, coaching for any one new to fishing and support with bait etc if needed for any experienced fisher people. No gear needed – all will be provided – though you are welcome to bring to your own. We’ll meet the walkers afterwards and head to a local cafe for a coffee or a bite.
Newry canal walk (starting at Portadown)
Where: Newry Canal towpath – Portadown start
When: Wednesday 11 June
Time: Meet at 11.55am at Portadown Station – or the 11am train from Belfast Central.
Good walk down the Newry Canal; from approx. 12.15 to 1.30 ish then we will meet the fisherpeople and go for a coffee or a bite in a local cafe
RNIBs Products demonstration and information event
Where: Sensory support building, Glendermott Road, Derry City
When: Thursday 12 June
Time: 11am – please arrive for 10.45am
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07702 140761
Louise will be demonstrating a wide range of products from talking kitchen scales to text to speech devices to support people living with sight loss and answering your questions.
Read Aloud
Location: Omagh Library
When: Thursday 12 June
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Contact: Let the library know you are coming on 02882440733.
A short story will be read aloud with breaks in between for discussion around the theme and characters. These are relaxed sessions were you will connect with others over a cuppa and have the opportunity to sit back and enjoy!
Read Aloud
Location: Enniskillen Library
When: Friday 13 June
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Contact: Let the library know you are coming on 02866322886.
A short story will be read aloud with breaks in between for discussion around the theme and characters. These are relaxed sessions were you will connect with others over a cuppa and have the opportunity to sit back and enjoy!
Archaeological dig with QUB
Location : Moira
When: Tuesday 24 June
Time: 1pm – 3.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or 07802865579.
ABC Walking group (monthly walk)
Location: Gosford Park Walk
When: Wednesday 25 June
Time: meeting place and time will be given by organiser –details below
Contact: Doreen on [email protected]
Walking program – week 2
Location : Whitehead to Blackhead - (4-5 miles)
When: Thursday 26 June
Time: 9.30am leaves Belfast Grand central station
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07802 865579.
Peer support group in Foyle area
Location : Glendermott Road - Sensory support offices
When: Thursday 26 June
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Details: Peer support with speakers coming in to give local information
Walking program – dander group week 2
Location: Waterworks Park Belfast
When: Friday 27 June
Time: Meet in Belfast city centre at 10am
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07802865579.
Enjoy a short , gentle walk with plenty of seating and toilets close by.
Greenisland Social support group
Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue
When: First Monday of the month
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Contact: [email protected]. Mobile: 07951746093.
Greenisland Boccia
Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue, Greenisland
When: Every third Monday of the month
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Contact: [email protected]. Mobile: 07951746093.
Limavady brunch
Where: Rosmar Café
When: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 10.45am
Contact: George Cooke on 07732 171044.
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
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
Where: Fayre Grill café, Wellington Street, Ballymena
When: Fourth Tuesday in the month
Time: 11am
Contact: [email protected] or mobile 07702 140 761.
Read aloud in Ards Library
Where: Ards Library
When: First Wed in month
Time: 11am to 12pm
Anyone is welcome to come along to this - friends and family too
Libraries NI choose a book; poem or short story to read and discuss over a cuppa
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761
Ards Monthly brunch
Where: The Regency Cafe
When: Third Wed in month
Time: 11am to 12.15pm
All welcome
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761
VI Bowls at Pickie Bowling club, Bangor
Where: Ward Park, Bangor, Co Down
When: every Wednesday every week
Time: 2pm
Contact: Joe Bourke on 07532758755
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 (various locations)
When: Last Wednesday of month
Time: 11am-12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.
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.
Crumlin ladies Coffee morning
Where: Meet in The Hub, Mill Road, Crumlin
When: Once a month
Time:11am – 1pm
Contact: [email protected] or mobile 07951746093.
Foyle monthly brunch
Where: Café Central, Bishop Street (opposite Holywell Trust)
When: First Thursday in the month
Time: 12pm
All welcome (including friends and family)
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07860607328.
NB: Brian is the lead RNIB Connector for the Foyle 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 Foyle - please feel free to ring Brian during working hours, he will return your call if he is unable to accept it at the time.
Read aloud in Derry City Library
Where: Derry City Library
When: every fortnight - so email or text for next date
Time: 11.30am to 12.30pm
Anyone is welcome to come along to this - friends and family too
Libraries NI choose a book; poem or short story to read and discuss over a cuppa
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761
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.
Newry out and about – Connect with others with sight loss
Where: Newry (various locations)
When: Second Thursday 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.
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.
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.
Newtownabbey Swim Group
Where: Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey
When: Every Friday
Time: 9.15am to11.30am
Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07951746093.
Bangor's 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
18-35 Group
Where: Various locations
When: One Saturday near to the end of every month
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.
LGBTQ face to face meet up bi-monthly
Where: Various locations
When: One Saturday a quarter
Time: Approx. 1pm to 3pm
If you are VI and identify as a member of the LGBTQ community you are very welcome; for queries or any info please contact Una (details below)
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07702 140761.
Ards Read aloud
Where: Ards Library, Main Street Newtownards
When: First Wednesday in the month
Time:11am to 12pm
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.
Limavady Read Aloud
Where: Limavady Library
When: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 11am to 12pm
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.
Derry/Londonderry Read aloud
Where: Derry City Library
When: Thursday (fortnightly)
Time: 11.30am to 12.30pm
Facilitated by Libraries NI
Contact: [email protected]
Online Book Group
Where: Facilitated by Libraries NI via Zoom
When: Last Thursday in the month
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Contact: kimcleland@librariesniorguk or telephone: 028 9085 4789
Belfast
Where: Cregagh Library, Belfast
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 11am to 12.30pm
Larne
Where: Larne Market Yard
When: Fourth Thursday of the month
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
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
Limavady
Where: Limavady Library
When: First Monday of the month
Time: 10.30am
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 further information on other locations contact: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or call 01264 560 259. For all other queries please call our Helpline on 0300 3030 111.
Ballymena VIP group
Where: Ballymena Library
When: Second Monday every month
Time: 11am-12.30pm
Contact: [email protected]
Ballee VIP club - music and dancing
Where: Ballee VIP club in Ballymena
When: Wed evenings
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Contact: Sammy McAuley on 07808881520 or Ballee VIP Facebook page.
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.
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
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.
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: 07561 632612 or [email protected]
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: Kendra Reynolds (Branch Library Manager) Telephone: 028 8676 3702.
VI Bowls Belfast
Where: Grove Bowling Club, York Road
When: Every Tuesday
Time:10.30am- 1pm
Facilitated by Irish Bowls Federation
Contact: [email protected]
Edgecumbe VIP Social Club
Where: Inverary Community Centre, East Belfast -
When: Thursdays, fortnightly
Time: 7 to 9pm
New members welcome
Contact: Stephen Norris, Mobile: 07462867526
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: Open Arts Waiting list in place
Archery for everyone
If interested in joining the beginners course contact David, [email protected]
Fermanagh VIP Club
Meet every second Friday in Enniskillen for chat and activities
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07702140761.
Deafblind NI support group
Where: First Coleraine Presbyterian Church Hall
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Contact: Deafblind NI 0800132320
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.
VI tennis east Belfast
Location: CIYMS Tennis Club, 91 Circular Road, Belfast
Time: 11am to 1pm
Contact: [email protected]
Ulster Museum Belfast
Monthly handling sessions and talk
Where: Museums NI - see contact below
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 1.45pm – 2.45pm
Contact: Ulster Museum directly for more information or visit the website: Welcome | National Museums NI
VI tennis South Belfast-
Where: Centre Facilitated by Windsor tennis club
Time: 11.30am - 1.30pm
Contact: Simon McFarland, 07851 282210
RNIB Talk and Support phone groups
The RNIB Talk and Support team run free phone befriending social groups for adults with sight loss across the UK. They provide an opportunity for people to socialize in small groups by phone to build friendships and get peer support with other people in a similar situation. They match individuals together for conversations based on group preferences
For more information contact RNIB Helpline.
VI Judo Causeway (Tuesdays)
£3 per session
Open to new members
Where: North Coast GrapplingGrappling, 17 Victoria St, Ballymoney
When: Tuesdays (weekly)
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07711190440
Causeway Boccia
Where: Coleraine West Community Centre, The Rope Walk, Coleraine
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 2pm –3.15pm
Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: 07711190440
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: 07711190440
Rise and Shine Ladies Coffee
Where: Greggs Café (next door to the Forum) Coleraine
When: Last Friday of the month
Time: 11am
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 0771119044
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
Glaucoma Support Group
Where: face to face and online
When: Second Wed every Quarter (Wed 12 March 2pm to 4pm)
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Contact: Elaine Manson, mobile 07734980687 or [email protected].
Talking Newspapers provide 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
Whether it’s the magical place your favourite book used to take you, or special memories locked in letters and journals that you can no longer read, we understand the importance and power of the written word and how difficult it can be for you to read what you want, when you want.
Life is full of print and the inability to read this can present significant barriers to leading an independent life. Our team can help with removing these barriers. They can help you to stay in touch with your local community, continue to attend social groups and activities, enjoy your favourite hobby, or widen your horizons through education and travel, by simply taking your print and converting it into a format you can read yourself.
What formats do we offer?
Contact the team on 02922 749668 or 07534 266186 or email [email protected].
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07711190440
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07710066251
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 028 90334105
Mobile 07514 623182
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07951746093
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07702 140761
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 078 0286 5579
