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RNIB NI Community Connection

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!

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November 2024 NI (Northern Ireland) Community Connection Programme

Mondays

  • Greenisland Social support group-Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue. This group meets on the first Monday in the month at 2pm - 4pm. November meeting is on Monday 4 November. Contact: [email protected]. Mobile: 07951746093.
  • Boccia (in partnership with Greenisland Football Club and Community Sports Network) - Usually every third Monday of month, 2pm to 4pmin Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue, Greenisland. Come along for a bit of fun, craic, exercise, and company. Open to all. Next group meeting on Monday 18 November at 2pm. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.

Tuesdays

  • Limavady brunch
    First Tuesday of every month (5 November). Rosmar Café at 10.45am. All welcome. For more info contact: George Cooke on 07732 171044.
  • Crumlin Ladies coffee morning - Ladies, why not come long and join us for a chat and a cuppa? We have changed the day this month from Thursday to Tuesday. We are meeting on Tuesday 26 November at 11am to 12.30pm in The Hub, 28 Mill Road, Crumlin.
  • VI Judo Causeway - 1pm to 2:30pm at North Coast Grappling, 17 Victoria St, Ballymoney. £3 per session. Open to new interest.
    Contact: [email protected] M: 07711190440.
  • HAM radio group - Tuesday 13 November (second Tuesday of the month), 8pm to approx. 9.15pm - Facilitated by Lynette Elliott.
    Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07702 140 761.
  • Boccia Mid-Ulster (Weekly for 12 weeks) - Starting Tuesday 12th November 2024 Weekly for 12 weeks until Tuesday 11th February 2025. Time: 1.30-2.30pm (This excludes Tuesday 24th and Tuesday 31st as there will be a break for the Christmas Holidays). Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Fountain Road Cookstown, BT 80 8QF. Contact: [email protected] M: 07710066251.
  • Ballymena brunch - Forth Tuesday of every month (26 November). Fayre Grill café, Wellington Street, Ballymena. Time: 11am
    Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07702 140 761
  • What’s happening in November: Facebook live audio newsletter - Una will share the Community Connection program in our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/RNIBConnectNI on Tuesday 1 Nov approx: 12pm.

Wednesdays

  • Read aloud in Ards library
    When    : Wednesday 6 November
    Venue: Ards Library
    Time: 11am to 12pm
    Facilitated by: Libraries NI
    One of the library staff will read a short story and the group discuss the characters and the plot, good fun light entertainment.
  • Causeway Boccia
    When: Wednesdays (weekly)
    Venue: Coleraine West Community Centre, The Rope Walk, Coleraine
    Time: 2pm –3:15
    Contact: [email protected] or Mob: 07711190440.
  • Lurgan and Portadown community visit to Belfast Grand Central Station - 13 November, meeting at 11am. Please note the train leaves from Portadown at 10.29am. RNIB Community Connection are offering group orientation visits to the station. This will provide you with an opportunity to travel into the station, to spend time becoming familiar with the space, meet other people and we’ll go to a nearby café for coffee/tea/lunch (refreshments at own expense). Registration essential. Contact [email protected] or mobile 07514 623182.
  • LGBTQ+ online monthly meet up (UK wide)
    Wednesday 20 November
    New members welcome
    Contact: [email protected] or Mob: 07702140761.
  • Christmas meet up in Ballynahinch - Wednesday 4 December. We're back in Ballynahinch for our Christmas meet up! If you live in the area or are accessible to it easily and would like to meet and connect with others who are blind or partially sighted and their friends, then join the RNIB Community Connection team for tea/coffee and a chat. Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.
  • Gardening Club - Belfast - the second Wednesday of the month. Restricted numbers and registration required. Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07802 865579.
  • Dungannon monthly audio book club
    Where: Dungannon Library
    When: 28 November
    Time: 11 to 12.30pm
    You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you.
    For further info contact Paul McKearney [email protected]

Thursdays

  • New New New- RNIB in partnership with Arts Care “Here and Now”project - Arts Care invites anyone with sight loss and an interest in fun singing to join us for eight sessions. We will be meeting in Carrickfergus Community Forum offices, under the expert leadership of Roisin Whyte. The address is, CCF, Lancasterian Street, Carrickfergus. It is above Poundland and the front door faces Iceland supermarket. There is a lift just inside the door for anyone who needs it.
    Session one is on Thursday 31 October at 10am-12noon.
    Session two is on Thursday 7 November at 10am.
    Session three is on Thursday 14 November at 10am.
    Session four is on Thursday 21 November at 10am.
    Session five is on Thursday 5 December at 10am.
    Session 6 is on Thursday 12 December at 10am.
    A further two sessions will be organised for the New Year.
    If you are interested or need someone to meet you in Carrickfergus please contact- [email protected] or 07951746093.
  • Foyle monthly brunch
    Where: Café Central, Bishop Street (opposite Holywell Trust)
    When: Thursday 7 November
    Time: 12pm
    All welcome – bring your friends if you want to.
    Just a social together to catch up over brunch.
    Contact: [email protected] or phone: 078 6060 7328.
  • Boccia and tandem cycling with Derry Strabane Council - Foyle Area. Starting Thursday 7 November – starts at 11.15, please be at the venue for 11am. Contact: [email protected] or phone 07860607328.
  • Limavady read a-loud - Thursday 21 November (3rd Thursday every month). Limavady Library. Come and listen to a s ort story and discuss the characters afterwards with a cuppa!
  • Belfast - Dander walk program – first session Wednesday 7 November, 10am, meeting Belfast city centre. Gentle walk in local park followed by coffee and chat. Contact: [email protected] or mobile 07802 865579.
  • Last of our summer singing (Session 5) - Fancy a few sessions of singing? - We've joined with Age NI Friendship choir in Newtownabbey for 5 sessions. This is our last session, and it will be taking place on Thursday 28 November, 2pm to 4pm. St Bridgids Church Hall, Ballyclare Road, Glengormley. Come and join the fun and craic. If interested contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • VI Gaming – every Thursday 4pm to 5pm - A social group for a chat about gaming. Via Teams. Registration via email [email protected] or mobile 07514 623182.
  • Newry out and about – Thursday 14 November. We're back in Newry from 11.00am - 12.30pm! If you live in the Newry area or are accessible to it easily and would like to meet and connect with others who are blind or partially sighted and their friends, then join the RNIB Community Connection team for tea/coffee and a chat. Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.
  • History group visit to Riddells Warehouse -Thursday 14 November. Closed group – restricted numbers waiting list in operation. Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07802 865579.
  • Crumlin Ladies coffee morning - We have changed the day this month to Tuesday 26 November. Do you live in or around Crumlin or can access it easily. Come along for a chat and company. Meet at 11am in “The Hub” Crumlin, 28 Mill Road, Crumlin. Contact: [email protected] M: 07951746093.
  • Derry City Library - Read aloud (every fortnight). Thursday 14 and 28 November,
    11.30am to 12.30pm. Facilitated by Libraries NI. All welcome, come along and listen to a story, a book or poem. Discuss the characters over a cuppa. The more the merrier!
  • Archery for Everyone - Archery sessions held regularly in Newtownabbey area with coach David Thompson. If you are interested please contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Causeway Coast VI Bowls / IBF Disability hub (Indoor) - Thursdays from 10.00am to 12pm. Ballybrakes indoor bowling club, Ballymoney. In partnership with Irish Bowls Federation. £3 per person. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07711190440.
  • VI Judo Causeway - From 5:30pm at North Coast Grappling, 17 Victoria St, Ballymoney. £3 per session. Open to new interest. Contact: [email protected] M: 07711190440.

Fridays

  • West Belfast walk – meeting at the main gate of Falls Park at 10.30am. Organized by DSNI. Two levels, a slow walk, and a faster walk. The group usually go for coffee in the local café for a chat. Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07702 140761.
  • Portadown out and about – Friday 22 November. We're meeting in Portadown from 11.00am - 12.30pm! If you live in the Portadown area or are accessible to it easily and would like to meet and connect with others who are blind or partially sighted and their friends, then join the RNIB Community Connection team for tea/coffee and a chat.
    Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.
  • Newtownabbey Swim Group - 9.15 to 11.30am, every Friday morning Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey.
    Meet in the foyer of the leisure centre at 9.15 with swimsuit on under clothing.
    Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Rise and Shine Ladies Coffee and Chat (Coleraine) - (Last Friday of the month), 11am at Greggs Cafe, (next door to the Forum) Coleraine - Open to new interest.
    Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 0771119044.

Saturdays

External groups

  • Ballymena VIP group - meet the second Monday every month in the Ballymena Library, for further info contact: [email protected].
  • Ballee VIP club – every 2 weeks – entertainment from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Phone Sammy McAuley for further information on 0780 888 1520 – check out Balee VIP Facebook page.
  • Banbridge ‘Tandem and Walking’ Group ‘TWG+’ - Tandem Club: Lurgan Park from after Easter to end of August at 7pm. Walking club: Parks across Portadown, Lurgan and Banbridge areas. Frequency: Fourth Wednesday every month from 9:30am - 3:00pm all year. Contact: Doreen McFarlane on 07734723575.
  • ‘Banbridge VIP’ Group - Venue: Anglers Building, Havlock Park, Church Street, Banbridge BT32 4QA. Frequency: First Wed of the month from 2.30 to 4.30pm. Contact: Doreen McFarlane on 07734723575. New Members Welcome.
  • Bangor - Lots happening in the Bangor area too, book clubs, men’s groups, bowling etc., for further info contact: [email protected].
  • Belfast Macular Group - Venue: Cregagh Library, Belfast. Frequency: 2nd Tuesday in month from 11am – 12.30pm. Contact: Emma Baxter at [email protected].
  • ‘Insight’ Social support Group (Mid-Ulster, Cookstown) - First Monday of each month (except when there is a bank holiday, then changes to the second Monday of the month). Monday 7 October from 1.00 to 2.30pm at Cookstown Community Centre, 42 Fairhill Road, Cookstown, BT80 8AG.
  • Tea, Story & Chat (Monthly) - Third Wednesday of every month from 2-3pm at Cookstown Library, 13 Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DJ. Facilitated by: Kendra Reynolds (Branch Library Manager). Tel: 028 8676 3702.
  • Online Book group – monthly book group facilitated by Libraries NI via Zoom. Last Thursday in the month from 3pm – 4pm. Contact: [email protected] or telephone: 028 9085 4789.
  • VI Bowls Belfast - from 10.30am to 1pm at Grove Bowling Club, York Road, Belfast. Open to new interest. Facilitated by Irish Bowls Federation. Contact: [email protected].
  • Edgecumbe VIP club - Inverary community center, east Belfast. Fortnightly Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Social group. New members welcome. Contact: Stephen Norris. M: 074 6286 7526.
  • Atlanta swimming club - Shankill Leisure center, Belfast. Wednesdays from 11am to 12 noon. Contact Mina Gillespie. Waiting list.
  • Acorn arts group - Divis community center, Thursdays 10am to noon. Contact: Open Arts. Waiting list in place.
  • “Archery for everyone” - Beginners courses happening now in Doagh. If interested contact: David at [email protected].
  • Larne Macular Group - Meet the first Monday in the month from 10.30am - 12pm in Upper Crust restaurant, Main Street Larne. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Larne Macular Group – Meet 4th Thursday in the month from 10.30am - 12pm in Larne Market Yard. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Carrickfergus Macular group - Meet 4th Tuesday in the month from 11am - 12.30pm in Northlands Court, Northlands, Carrickfergus. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Newtownabbey Macular group - 2nd Wednesday in the month from 11am - 12.30pm in Glengormley Library, Carnmoney Road, Glengormley. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Antrim Macular Group – Meet 4th Wednesday in the month in All Saints Parish centre, 18 Railway Street from 2pm - 3pm. Contact: [email protected]. M: 07951746093.
  • Fermanagh VIP Club - meet every second Friday in Enniskillen for chat and activities. Contact Una on 07702 140761.
  • Macular Degeneration Group (Limavady library) - First Monday of the month. Next meeting is Monday 6 March at 10.30am. To register interest contact (not in the summer)
  • Macular Degeneration Group (Coleraine) - 2nd Thursday of the month from 1pm - 3pm at 1st Coleraine Presbyterian Church Hall. Contact Macular Degeneration Society.
  • Deafblind NI support group - Meet 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1pm - 2:30pm at 1st Coleraine Presbyterian Church Hall. Contact Deafblind NI on 0800132320.
  • Lisburn outlook – from coffee mornings to tandem cycling – if you live in or near Lisburn, please contact [email protected] to receive their newsletter.
  • EYEspeak Omagh - self-help support group meet regularly for leisure and learning. Contact Una on 07702 140761.
  • VI (Visual Impairment) tennis Belfast - from 1pm – 2.30pm during summer months at CIYMS tennis club, 91 Circular Road, Belfast. Facilitated by CIYMS. Contact: Melanie Stewart.
  • Ulster Museum Belfast – monthly handling sessions and talk. Second Tuesday of the month from 1.45pm – 2.45pm. Contact Ulster Museum directly for more information or visit the website: Welcome | National Museums NI.
  • VI (Visual impairment) tennis Belfast - from 4pm – 6pm during the summer months at Windsor tennis club. Facilitated by Windsor tennis club.

Personal Transcription service

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?

  • Audio in human voice or digitally generated synthetic speech, on CD, Daisy CD, USB or as an mp3 file
  • Braille
  • Large and giant print
  • Electronic text
  • Tactile images
  • Accessible sheet music and musical scores

Contact the team on 02922 749668 or 07534 266186 or email [email protected].

RNIB Talk and Support phone groups

RNIB Talk and Support runs free befriending social groups for adults with sight loss across the UK. They provide opportunities for you to socialize in small groups by phone to build friendships and get peer support with other people in a similar situation. We match individuals together for conversations based on age and group preferences.

For more information visit our talk and support page.

To join or find out more about any of the above groups contact our RNIB Northern Ireland Community Connection Team: 

Jonathan Adams

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07711190440

Jackie Cotton

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07710066251

Fiona Joyce

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 028 90334105

Mobile 07514 623182

Sharon McClure

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07951746093

Una Mulgrew

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 07702 140761

Olive Rodgers 

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 078 0286 5579

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