Services from RNIB Northern Ireland
Our vision is to create a world where sight loss is not a barrier to living a full, independent life – we do this by equipping people with the skills and support they need to thrive.
We support people of all ages, and their families. Contact us today on 0303 123 9999 to find out how we can help you or your loved one.
RNIB Helpline
Our Helpline is your direct line to support, advice and products from RNIB to help you remain independent. All of our support services in Northern Ireland can be reached via our main Helpline.
Call us on 0303 123 9999, or email [email protected] to speak to one of our advisors. We’re available from 8am to 8pm weekdays and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Sight Loss Advice Service
Our specialist team of Sight Loss Advisers are dedicated to providing you with in-depth help and advice on a range of issues, such as:
- Common eye conditions
- The help you’re entitled to from your local council and health trust
- Certification and registration of sight loss
- Benefits and concessions to which you might be entitled
- Daily living, including shopping, travel and technology
- Education and employment
- Housing
- Social and leisure activities and sports
- Other sources of local support and organisations that may be useful to you.
You can also learn about our Reading services, and how you can borrow books and learning resources for adults and children in braille or audio, from the largest library of its kind in the UK.
“RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice team explained what benefits I was entitled to and helped me with my claims. The money was vital, with working part-time and spending more on public transport, taxis and specialist equipment.”- Ken Carson, Bangor
Call us on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].
Our Eye Care Liaison Officers
Our Eye Care Liaison service is an immediate point of contact for someone diagnosed with serious sight loss or an eye condition. Our Eye Care Liaison Officers (also know as ECLOs) provide emotional and practical support. We are a confidential point of contact for anyone affected by sight loss, and their families, who are seeking help and advice. We don’t want you to feel as if you’re facing sight loss alone. Get in touch with your local ECLO today via our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].
In the Community
Our Community Connections Team provide practical and emotional support to build confidence and independence. We can also help you meet or connect with others who are blind or partially sighted to share interests, experiences and support for each other.
“RNIB brings people together, it really does. I’m so grateful for the friendships I’ve now made.” - Orla Fitzgerald
Children, Young People and Families
We support blind and partially sighted children and young people, including those with complex needs, from birth to 25 years old, through specialist advice and guidance on:
- Early years and transitions, throughout education and onto employment
- Useful products, toys, games, books, magazines and curriculum materials
- Connections to information, networks and other sources of support
- Our new Parent Pathways course has been specifically designed for anyone supporting a child with sight loss.
We also run events the whole family can enjoy. Find out more through our Children, young people and families in Northern Ireland pages.
“RNIB as has been extremely helpful in all walks of my son Ben’s life. Our local RNIB Family Officer has been a constant rock of support, wealth of knowledge and her enthusiasm is infectious.” - Hannah Conroy
Mental Health support and Living Well with Sight Loss courses
If you or a family member have experienced sight loss, you may be worried about the future and the changes you’re facing. Through our free Need to Talk project we can provide: mental wellbeing checkins and counselling for anyone over the age of eleven, Living Well with Sight Loss courses, and free eLearning courses for friends or family and professionals.
Products for Life Store - Belfast
We sell and advise on products that can help people with sight loss to maximize their independence, both in and outside the home – from large print watches to talking kitchen scales, brailling accessories to electronic magnifiers.
You can book a demonstration of any of our products at our Belfast store in Victoria House, Gloucester Street. We can also provide demonstrations online or advise over the phone.
We are currently operating on an appointment only basis.
Campaigning support
Everyone in Northern Ireland has the right to live life to the fullest.
Unfortunately, every day, people with sight loss meet barriers to this - from obtaining important information in a format they can’t read, to obstacles in the street making their journeys unsafe, and misconceptions of their abilities and ambitions.
If you have met any barriers to fully accessing your local town, services, or feel you have faced discrimination of any kind, our campaigns team can provide advice and support. Contact us on [email protected] or [email protected].
Services for business
We can help you ensure your services and products are accessible and improve your overall customer experience, both face to face and online.
We’ll can advise on website and app accessibility, provide transcription services, training and help you achieve our RNIB Tried and Tested accessibility certification.
