Our news and events page will keep you up to date with details of what's happening in the Lisburn in Focus project.
For further information, or if you have something we could include, email Lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk or call us on 028 9260 0388.
Lisburn in Focus Newsletters
Mayor of Lisburn Dines in the Dark at Lighters
Fifty Lisburn residents - including The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Alderman William Leathem - took a plunge into darkness on Friday evening (1 March) when they participated in a Dine in the Dark event at Lighters Restaurant, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn.
The event was organised by Lisburn in Focus, a five year project, funded by BIG Lottery Safe & Well Programme which is working to make the Lisburn Council area the most welcoming and inclusive Council area in Northern Ireland.
Led by The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB NI) in partnership with Guide Dogs, Lisburn City Council and Lisburn City Centre Management, the Project creates opportunities to raise awareness amongst the wider community regarding socialising, shopping and conducting business in the Lisburn Council area.
Mike Selby, a volunteer with RNIB NI commented, "I knew to expect something strange, but when I put on my blind fold, I realised my hearing wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was. I also found out how much I normally use my sight to pick up on what people are saying and all sorts of little things - such as the fact that I'd finished my soup - that would have never crossed my mind before. It's been fascinating."
Mayor of Lisburn, William Leathem, "The first mouth full was very strange because I didn't know what or, how much I had on my fork. Dining in the Dark is a very steep learning curve but it's something I'm embracing and enjoying."
It Takes Two to Tandem
Saturday 16 June saw Northern Ireland's second annual tandem-only sportive take place at the Down Royal Race Course, Maze.
Despite the rain over fifty cyclists gathered to take part, with a mixture of experienced amateurs and complete beginners.
The "It Takes Two to Tandem" cycle was organised by Lisburn in Focus, the Maryland Wheelers and the David McCall Foundation and supported by the Big Lottery Fund, Sport NI and Coca Cola. Tandem cycling is a great way for people who are blind or partially sighted to get on a bike and experience the health benefits that cycling can provide.
Lisburn in Focus, a Project led by Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB NI) has been supported by BIG Lottery, Sport NI and Coca Cola during the past twelve months and as a result, a regular group of tandem cyclists meet up every Thursday at 7pm in Wallace Park. One of the group, Barry Toner, a cyclist from the Lisburn area commented, "Training with the pilots leading up to the event gave me the confidence to push my own comfort zone. Handing over a portion of trust is never easy, less so when you can't see any of the world around you and even less so when you're speeding along a country back road with occasional vehicles speeding by! I would highly recommend any blind or partially Sighted person giving it a go. It was lots of fun and completing a 10mile route has certainly given me a sense of achievement."
The first route - 42 miles - was launched by the Mayor of Lisburn, William Leathem, who wished all the participants well and sounded the air horn. Over 25 tandem bicycles set out to do one of three routes; 2 miles, 10 miles or 42 miles, giving complete novices and more experienced cyclists a chance to enjoy the day together.
Cyclists came from clubs the length and breadth of Northern Ireland, and many club cyclists tried piloting tandems for the first time. There was strong support and representation from the Maryland Wheelers, Lurgan Park tandem group and Newry Mourne WATCH Club. RNIB NI also had a significant number of tandem cyclists present from the Holywood, Belfast and Lisburn areas.
For details of tandem cycling in Lisburn please contact lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk or call us on 028 9260 0388. The Lisburn Tandem Group meets weekly in Wallace Park and is run by volunteers, supported by Lisburn in Focus.
Phase 2 of React in Lisburn Underway!
The second phase of React units is now being installed in the City. Building on the success of the first 12 units, new units are now in place at River Island, the Cancer Research premises, Piper's Hill, CJ's Bar and Grill, South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Lisburn Train Station and the Credit Union.
It is hoped that the final units will be installed soon, completing a route from the bus centre, through Bow Street, up to Bow Street Mall, over to the Train station and back round to Market Square. This should be a boon for those that have trouble navigating around Lisburn, and allow greater access to the shops and services in the City Centre.
For further information, or to have a tour of the units please contact the Lisburn in Focus team:
Tel: 028 9260 0388.
Email: lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk
Connect your business to 46,000 new customers!
Retailers connect your business to more customers with the help of RNIB NI and Lisburn in Focus.
On Thursday 22 September 2011 we launched 'The retail experience - How to help your business reach blind and partially sighted customers' at Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre, Lisburn.
If you're a retailer who is looking to reach new customers, we can help.
The one off event, which was designed to help make the retail experience for blind and partially sighted customers a positive one, includes:
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Keynote address from Alistair Hamilton - Chief Executive of INVEST NI
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How to quickly and easily create an excellent retail experience for blind and partially sighted people
Pick up your free copy of 'The retail experience' - Good Practice and Standards guide produced by RNIB NI.
Contact Us:
For more information please contact the Lisburn in Focus team on
Tel: 028 9260 0388
Email: lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk
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