RNIB Children, young people and families service
Events October 2017 – January 2018
Welcome to our events for October 2017 to January 2018.
We have some great events over Halloween and Christmas. We have tried to ensure we give you plenty of opportunities to meet other families and share experiences whilst having fun and learning helpful information.
We ask that you always get in touch to book into each event, and when you have booked but can’t attend, please let a member of the team know as soon as possible so we can either fill the space or recoup the cost.
We’re delighted to be working with: Angel Eyes NI, Guide Dogs NI, Sense NI, Tesco community services, Splash Sure Start, SureStart Newry, Mencap, Belfast Activity Centre and more.
Events
Johnny Rocco’s – Enniskillen
Dates: Saturday 23 September, 11.00am
Venue: 35 Main Street, Irvinestown, Enniskillen, BT94 1GJ
Join us for a fun-filled day of bowling, soft play and go karts.
For more information or to book, contact Laura.
Halloween Storytime and Party
Date: Monday 30 October
Venue: St Columbs Park House, 4 Limavady Road, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 6JY
Come along and enjoy party games, arts and crafts and of course a disco. Our special guest Perrin will call in for some storytelling and there will be some ghostly goings-on.
For more information or to book a place, contact Laura.
Monster Manor at W5
Date: Tuesday 31 October
Venue: W5, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast, BT3 9QQ
Are you and your family brave enough to investigate the creepy mansion known as Monster Manor?
If the rumours surrounding this old place are true, you will encounter singing pumpkins, dancing skeletons, floating ghosts, paintings which transform and all manner of mysterious monsters!
It’s really spooky, a little bit scary and a whole lot of fun. So this October why not bring your family along and discover the secrets of Monster Manor for yourselves? We dare you!
For more information, contact the team.
Realise Project Weekend Away (Ages 18 – 25)
Date: Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 November, or Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 November (TBC)
Venue: St Columbs Park House, 4 Limavady Road, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 6JY
Activities include: independent travel, off road driving, culinary skills and career planning.
This is a very unique opportunity for young people from across Northern Ireland to meet, share ideas, learn a wide variety of skills that encourage independent living and to have some mighty fun.
For more information or to book, contact Donna.
Movie and Pizza Evening (for all the family)
Date: Friday 24 November
Venue: Pizza Hut Lisburn followed by Lisburn Omniplex, Governor’s Road, Lisburn, BT28 1PP
Meet up with families over a slice or two of pizza and then it’s off to watch the latest movie. Audio description available.Movie and time to be confirmed closer to date.
For more information or to book, please contact Roisin.
Parents first aid course
Date: Saturday 25 November
Venue: Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Fountain Road, Cookstown, BT80 8QF
This course is a basic, level one, first-aid course, covering infant to adult. Places will be limited.
For more information and to book, please contact Charlene or Marcella.
Visit Santa’s Cottage in the Mournes
Date: TBC
Venue: Sandbank Road, Newry, BT34 5XX
Come and visit Santa’s Cottage and experience for yourself the wonders of the old time Christmas. Every child deserves something special at Christmas. We will visit his cottage, meet his elves and reindeer, visit the igloo and Christmas garden and maybe meet the main man himself. Places are limited.
For more information or to book, contact any of the team.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Date: Sunday 3 December
Venue: Millennium Forum, 3 Newmarket Street, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6EB
A gigantic beanstalk, Daisy the cow, magic beans, a goose that lays golden eggs and the nastiest of giants.
Telling the story of peasant boy Jack and his attempts to please his impoverished mother and win the hand of Princess Jill.
Packed with great song and dance routines, hilarious comedy, dazzling scenes and magical special effects.
For more information or to book, contact Laura.
Christmas Wonderland at Jungle NI
Date: Saturday 9 December
Time: 12.00pm
Venue: Jungle NI, 60 Desertmartin Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, BT45 7RB
Meet Santa, his colourful elves and receive a fabulous gift (children 9 years and above will receive two activity vouchers to use in the Christmas Wonderland).
Explore the woodland petting farm and meet a host of curious creatures, including Santa’s very own reindeer! Pen a letter to Santa with the help of his little Elves and post it in time for Christmas. Enjoy making your own Christmas card. One activity token per child can be used on the following: archery, clay crafts, climbing wall, face painting, paintball target range or rodeo ride. Chill out in our cosy cafe, soaking up the fantastic festive atmosphere or indulging your sweet tooth. Toast yummy mallows with Santa’s Elves in a cute and cosy BBQ Hut.
For more information or to book contact the team.
Angel Eyes NI – Christmas pantomime
Date: Sunday 10 December
Venue: Lyric Theatre, Belfast
Touch tour followed by performance of Beauty and the Beast at 2.30pm. Tickets £5 per head.Booking through Just Giving.
For more information and to reserve a wheelchair space, please contact Angel Eyes NI office on 028 9094 1634 or email
Bricks 4 Kidz and Crazy Clay (Ages 4 plus)
Date: Saturday 13 January
Time: 12.15 – 2.15pm
Venue: Unit 8, 1 Ballylorn Lane, Dundonald, BT16 1XJ
Interactive fun Lego and Crazy Clay workshops and free play Lego building to develop and expand imagination.
For more information and to book, contact Marcella.
Special Education Needs Seminar – Legislation and Rights
Date and venue TBC
This seminar aims to inform and empower parents, developing knowledge, understanding and skills to confidently and competently advocate on behalf of their child, securing the best outcomes in education. We will look at the many aspects of the SEN Statementing process, including:
• Legislation and the rights of the child and parent
• The various stages/procedures of the Code of Practice and Statutory Assessment
• Timeframes
• The importance of Annual Review and parental contribution
For more information and to register interest, contact Karen Wilson, Angel Eyes NI.
Clubs/Groups
Healthy Minds Activity Club (Realise project – ages 11 to 16)
Date: Wednesdays* 27 September – 18 October, 7.30pm – 8.30pm (*plus Saturday 21 October, 10.30am – 2.00pm)
Venue: Social Enterprise Hub, Hawkin Street, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6RD
We will learn about a healthy mind, healthy body, emotions, social support, identity and ‘managing my sight loss’. Activities include fitness for mind and body, speech and drama, inspirational speaker, vocal coaching, culinary skills, off road driving and so much more.
For more information or to book, contact Donna.
RNIB Kids Club in Armagh (ages 7 and up)
Date: Saturday 30 September, 14 October, 18 November
Venue: TBC
OFollowing from the success of our Banbridge group, we would like to offer a monthly one in Armagh for children/young people with sight loss aged 7+ and their siblings. Each month the kids will choose the activity for the month ahead with a little help from us. We hope this group will help build independent living skills, confidence, friendships and much more!
For more information and to book, contact Roisin.
If you would be interested in volunteering at this group, please get in touch as we are in need of volunteers.
Angel Eyes NI Saturday Club (ages 4 to 16 years)
Dates: Saturday 23 September, 28 October, 25 November, 16 December 2017, 27 January 2018
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Venue: Jordanstown School, 85 Jordanstown Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QE
Our Saturday club is getting bigger and better. The club offers families a chance to come together for an afternoon where the children get a chance to try out new sports, crafts, life skills including baking and have the fun of making new friendships and gaining confidence. At the same time, parents get together to hear a guest speaker or to simply enjoy a bit of peer support and a chance to talk with Angel Eyes NI’s in-house experts.
Booking essential.
If you are new to the club, please contact the office on 028 9094 1632 or email and we will send you a one-off registration form.
Angel Eyes NI – In Tune Music sessions with Open Arts
Dates: Saturday 14 October, 11 November, 9 December and 31 January 2018
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Venue: Spectrum Centre, Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 3AA
These sessions are for children aged four and upwards who are blind or visually impaired. The session will be led by trained artists who will ensure that the day will be engaging, fun and |full of music. Places are limited, booking essential. Please bring a drink and snack.
For more information, contact Angel Eyes NI on 028 9094 1632 or email
IFA Weekly Partially sighted Football Club Lisburn
Dates: Saturdays 10.00am – 11.00am (ages 6 to 15)Wednesdays 7.00pm – 8.00pm (ages 16 plus)
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Cost: £2.00 per session
Venue: Lagan Valley Leisureplex, 18 Lisburn Leisure Park, Lisburn, BT28 1LP
If you have a keen interest in football and are partially sighted then come along to the weekly group and receive coaching from former Northern Ireland International player Mal Donaghy. New players are welcomed each week.
Contact Mal for more info on 07894 614 325.
One-to-one lessons and activities
We can provide and refer to a variety of activities and lessons. If something you are interested in is not listed here, please enquire with a member of the RNIB Children, youth and families team.
• One-to-one music classes (under 8)
• One-to-one swimming classes (under 8)
• One-to-one music therapy for children with complex needs
For more information, please contact any member of the RNIB Children and families team.
• One-to-one lessons in swimming, music, horse riding, touch typing etc to build confidence and learn a new skill (8 to 16 years).
• One to one I.C.T. support (8 to 20 years): – I.T. lessons focus on accessibility of PC/Mac/iPad, Microsoft Word and Excel, and useful apps, tips and tricks to best use your device to meet your needs.
• One to one careers advice (13 to 20 years): – Subject choice / careers planning / employment support.
• Duke of Edinburgh Award: – The Duke of Edinburgh award, run in partnership with RNIB and Belfast Activity Centre, is currently ongoing. We are now taking names for the next intake in September 2017.
To express interest in any of the above activities for children over 8 years of age, please contact Donna (Realise project).
Toddler groups
Please come and join us at a group nearest you. Have a cuppa and a scone and let the little ones have fun with lots of sensory toys. Open to children aged up to four years and their parents/carers.
Jordanstown
Dates: Saturdays 23 September*, 28 October*, 25 November*
*with Time to Play
Time: 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Jordanstown School, 85 Jordanstown Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QE
For more information and to book, contact Charlene.
Lurgan
Date: Thursday 28 September and Thursday 7 December
Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm
Venue: Links, 23a Castle Lane, Lurgan BT67 9BD
In partnership with Splash SureStart. Come along to this great space for fun sensory sessions.
For more information and to book, contact Roisin.
Newry
Date: Monday 25 September, 16 October
Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm
Venue: Orana child and family centre, 2 Warrenpoint Road, Newry, BT34 2PF
We are excited to be up and running in partnership with SureStart Newry and Mencap. Each month we have themed sensory play/music and additional workshops.
For more information and to book, contact Roisin.
Family Focus Time to Play groups
A new opportunity for children up to four years old to come together in a fun environment that provides habilitation assessment and learning through play. The groups will provide the opportunity to access specialist help and advice for you and your child through play, art, music therapy and much more.
The Time to Play groups will feed into the parent and toddler groups already in operation, where possible. These sessions are in partnership with Guide Dogs, Angel Eyes NI and Sense and are being facilitated through funding from the Big Lottery.
For more information please contact:Angel Eyes NI – Paula Robson on 028 9094 1633 or
Guide Dogs (NI) – 0845 3727 402 or
Sense – Colette Gray on 028 9083 3430
Ballynahinch Home Start
Dates: 14 September, 12 October, 9 November, 14 December, 11 January 2018
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: Ballynafeigh Community Building, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GG
Contact Paula from Angel Eyes NI for further dates and to book.
Belfast Ballynafeigh Community Group
Dates: Friday 17 November, 15 December, 19 January 2018 (not running in September and October due to building work)
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pmVenue: Ballynafeigh Community Building, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GG
Contact Paula from Angel Eyes NI for further dates and to book.
Derry~Londonderry group
Dates: Thursday 7 September, 5 October, 2 November, 7 December, 4 January 2018
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pmVenue: Waterside Theatre, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 6BG
Contact Paula from Angel Eyes NI for further dates and to book.
SureStartDungannon (tailored for children with complex needs, led by Sense)
Dates: Last Wednesday of each month
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pmVenue: Surestart Multisensory room, Ballysaggart Business Complex, Ballygawley Road, Dungannon, BT70 1BS
To book, please contact Michelle O’Neill from Sense on 07572 151 267.
Coffee & Chat
This is a great place for parents, grandparents, and guardians to come along and have conversations of common interest. They are held in venues that are child friendly, so the little ones can play safely. You can come along to these groups without your little ones also.
Contact Paula at Angel Eyes NI.
Newtownards
Date: This group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month: Thursday 28 September, 26 October, 23 November, 21 December* and 25 January 2018
*date to be confirmed
Venue: Regent Street Methodist Church, Newtownards, BT23 4BT
Banbridge
Date: This group meets on the fourth Monday of the month: Monday 25 September, 23 October, 27 November, 22 January 2018
This group will not meet in December.
Venue: Tesco Community Room, The OUTLET Banbridge, Bridgewater Retail Park, BT32 4LF
Contact us
RNIB
Roisin Meagher – Southern Trust Family Officer
028 9033 4122 or 07939 300 949
Charlene Brunty – Northern Trust Family Officer (PT)
028 9033 4117 or 07772 693 446
Marcella Dempsey – Northern Trust Family Officer (PT)
028 9033 4117 or 07813 845 209
Laura McCauley – Family Insight Project Coordinator (Belfast, South Eastern and Western Trust Areas)
028 9032 9373 or 07710 066 727
Donna McNicholl – Realise Project Coordinator (Ages 8 to 20)
028 7122 9545 or 07889 301 449
Angel Eyes NI
Paula Robson – (Early Years Parent Support – Family Focus project)
028 9094 1633 or
Karen Wilson – Education Advocate (Family Insight project)
028 9094 1634 or
Frances Floyd
028 9094 1632 or 07735 059 763
Funded by the Big Lottery in Northern Ireland, Family Insight is a five-year project led by RNIB NI in partnership with Angel Eyes NI.
The Realise Project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund,Empowering Young People Programme.
We also gratefully receive funding towards our services from:
The Education Authority, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
© RNIB 2017 Registered charity number 226227 (England and Wales)