Services and Facilities which may be of interest to blind or partially sighted people

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

We’re the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Northern Ireland (RNIB NI) and we’re here for everyone affected by sight loss. If you’re blind or partially sighted, or supporting somebody who has lost their sight, we offer a wide range of services, support and information to help. You can find out more about what we offer in Northern Ireland via this link – https://www.rnib.org.uk/northern-ireland

RNIB Helpline

Our Helpline is your direct line to support, advice and products from RNIB to help you to remain independent. Call: 0303 123 9999, or email: helpline@rnib.org.uk  We’re available from 8am to 8pm weekdays and Saturday from 9am to 5pm and we’re only a phone call or an email away.

Sight Loss Advice Service

Through either our helpline or website you can contact the Sight Loss Advice Service.  Here you can find out about our Reading Services, online shop, information on eye health and well-being, and advice on your rights.  Find out more here – https://www.rnib.org.uk/advice

RNIB Connect

RNIB Connect is a diverse community led by blind and partially sighted people that brings together anyone affected by sight loss. Find out more and how to join here – https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/joining-connect

Lisburn Leo Talking Newspaper

“Lisburn Leo Talking Newspaper:  a summary of local information from the Ulster Star and other sources.

Normally distributed weekly on audio CD.

Also accessible via the Talking Newspaper app for Android and IOS devices which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

For further information, contact Lisburn.Leo@hotmail.co.uk.”

The Sensory Impairment Team has sent this interesting piece of information to get us out and about safely.  Please contact them direct if you wish to take up this offer.

Let’s get out and about again

With the easing of restrictions and hopefully the better weather, we are all starting to think about getting out and about again a bit more than we have been able to for the last year, but perhaps are feeling a bit nervous about that and wondering how Bow Street has changed or if there are new one way systems in the bus and train stations etc. So what Sensory Support are proposing  is that we offer sessions to small groups of 4 people at a time to just walk some of these areas and find out what if anything has changed so that we can all start building up some confidence.

If you are interested in finding out more or want to register for a place, please ring: 92607746 and ask for Catherine or Dianne and if we aren’t in, leave a message with your name and contact details and we will ring you back. We are planning to run sessions on Friday 4^th, 11^th and 18^th June, 10 – 12 noon. The plan is to meet at the main bus station, familiarise ourselves with that, then walk through Lisburn Square  to Haslem’s Lane, up Bow Street to the Linen Centre then along Railway Street to the Train Station, check it out, then back down Bachelors Walk to Antrim Street and back Bow Street. After that anyone who wants to use the outside covered seating area near the Linen Centre can get a cup of tea of coffee from one of the local shops selling them and enjoy a chat and catch up.