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!
Free Christmas craft workshop
Where: Robyns Hobby Cafe, Titanic Quarter, Belfast
When: Monday 1 December
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07802 865579 to register your interest
RNIB Northern Ireland Christmas Open Day
Welcoming customers to RNIBs office in Victoria House, Gloucester Street to kick off festive celebrations in style with a smile for a while! Staff and customers are invited to come along for a day of fun, or just drop in when you can, and browse some great gift ideas with the RNIB team in the Products and Advice Centre.
As well as RNIB product demos throughout the day, we will be hosting an accessible Christmas quiz, live music from the resident RNIB Christmas crooners and don’t forget to bring those Christmas cards along and have your personalised braille messages written on the day
Where: Victoria House, Gloucester Street, Belfast
When: Tuesday, 2 December
Time: 10am to 4pm – or drop in anytime during the day
Contact: Email: [email protected]
Reminisce session – Christmas’ past
Music, artifacts and stories of Christmas gone by!
Where: Ards Library
When: Wednesday 3 December
Time: 11am
Contact: [email protected] or phone 028 9181 4732.
Christmas tour of Hillsborough Castle (first tour)
Where: Hillsborough Castle
When: Wednesday 3 December
Time: 11am
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07802 865579
Fully booked waiting list in operation
RNIB drop-in Tech Hub in the Belfast office
These Tech Hubs are arranged by drop-in, first come, first served basis so there’s no need to book – no appointment needed.
Our volunteers can offer advice and support you on how to make the most of the accessibility features of your smartphone or tablet. Whether you need basic training, or wish to update your existing skills, we can help. Please bring your device with you.
For further information, email [email protected].
Where: RNIB, Victoria House (first floor), 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LS.
When: Thursday 4 December
Time: 11am to 1pm
Contact: email [email protected]
Chair Yoga in Derry city
Funded by the Clear Project under the Public Health Agency
When: Thursday 4 and 11 December
Where: AOH, Foyle Street – if you would like to be accompanied from the bus station, someone will meet you there
Time: 2pm – all abilities welcome and all sight status welcome too
Contact: Nuala Crilly by text leaving your phone name and phone number on 07776 806037.
Omagh EyeSpeak group – Christmas dinner
When: Wed 3 December
Where: Sally O’Briens
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07702 140 761 to be redirected.
EyeSpeak always love to see new folk coming along, so if you live in Omagh or on a public transport line, give it a go!
Foyle Christmas knees up
Where: Ancient Order of Hib on Foyle Street (opposite the bus station)
When: Friday 5 December
Time: 12pm to 6pm
Cost: £10 per person for light hospitality and entertainment
All welcome, this is a great opportunity to expend you friendship group; come up or come down to Derry City for this day out!!
Contact us if you're unsure of the venue and would like to be met at the station.
Contact: [email protected] or text Brian on 078 6060 7328.
Hillsborough Castle Garden Project
Where : Hillsborough castle
When : first Friday of every month next session 5 December.
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07802 865579.
Ulster Museum Talk and handling session
Theme: the 1970’s
Where: Ulster Museum, Botanic, Belfast
When: Tuesday 9 December
Time: 1.30pm - 2.45pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07802 865579.
Snow Tubing in Craigavon dry slope
Where: Craigavon Ski Slope
When : Tuesday 9 December
Time: 11.45am for a prompt 12pm start to 1pm
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07702 140 761.
This is all for fun, you don't have to have done it before and there's no skills needed but you do have to have to be able to walk up the side of the slope to get to the top before coming down again!
Anyone who has done it before has loved it – it's exhilarating. And you can take breaks anytime you want.
New brunch club - Ards Christmas get together
Christmas Jumper day - why not?
Where: Regency Cafe, Main Street Ardsl
When : Wednesday 10 December
Time: 11.00am
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07702 140 761.
Downpatrick Christmas get together
When : Wednesday 10 December
Time: 11.00am
Contact: [email protected] or 07514 623182
Armagh brunch club
Where: Armagh City Hotel
When : Thursday 11 December
Time: 11.30am
Contact: Lynette via [email protected] or phone 07734441227.
This is open to blind and partially sighted and their friends – we will meet in the first instance in the Armagh City Hotel for lunch and chat, we can decide on this day, as a group, on alternative venues for future meet ups – really looking forward to this, let’s make it happen in Armagh!
Newry Christmas get together
When : Wednesday 10 December
Time: 11.00am
Contact: [email protected] or 07514 623182
Balee VIP group, country music event every fortnight
Where: The Services Club, 52 Trostan Avenue, Ballymena BT43 7BL
When: Wednesday evening
Time: 7.30 to 9.30pm
Contact: Sammy McCauley on 07808881520
This is run by and for blind and partially sighted people and their friends, the music is brilliant, the craic is good and there is a warm welcome for everyone, so come on down.
Theatre outing Belfast
Where: The Mac
When: Wednesday 10 December
Time: 6.30pm
Fully booked
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07802 865579.
Christmas tour of Hillsborough Castle (second tour)
Where: Hillsborough Castle
When: Thursday 11 December
Time: 11am
Contact: [email protected] or phone 07802 865579
Fully booked waiting list in operation
ABC Walking group (monthly walk)
Location: Rushmere Shopping centre
When: Wednesday 10 December
Time: meeting place and time will be given by organiser –details below
Contact: Doreen on [email protected]
Monday
Greenisland Social support group
Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue
When: First Monday in month
Time:2-4pm
Contact- [email protected] mobile 07951746093
Greenisland Boccia
Where: Greenisland Football Club, Glenkeen Avenue
When: Third Monday of the month
Time: 2pm -4pm
Contact: [email protected] M: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.
Crumlin ladies Coffee morning
Where: Meet in The Hub, Mill Road, Crumlin
When: monthly
Time-:11am – 1pm
Contact: [email protected] 07951746093
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
Everyone is welcome – this is an informal get together where people come in for their coffee or brunch and chat
Sometimes there are 4 people and sometimes there are 10!! But there is always someone for you to share time with
Regency staff are brilliant at making sure you get to your table and you get your order in, people pay separately at the end
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.
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
When: Last Wednesday of month (commencing again in September)
Time:11am-12.30pm Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.
Read aloud in Derry City Library
Where: Derry City Library
When: every fortnight
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.
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
Portadown out and about – Meet others with sight loss Where: Portadown (various locations).
When: Last Friday of month
Time: 11.00am-12.30pm C
Contact: [email protected] or mobile: 07514 623182.
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.
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.
Armagh Orchard VIP group (fortnightly)
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]
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]
VI tennis South Belfast-
Where: Centre Facilitated by Windsor tennis club
Time: 11.00am - 1pm
Contact: Simon McFarland, 07851 282210
Edgecumbe VIP Social Club
Where: Inverary Community Centre, East Belfast -
When: Thursdays, fortnightly
Time: 7 to 9pm New members welcome
Contact: [email protected] Mobile: 07802 865579.
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 - Next meet up September
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
