RNIB NI Children and Families Service
Events October – December 2016
Working in partnership with Angel Eyes NI
Angel Eyes NI Glitter Ball
Date:Saturday 24 September
Venue: Ramada Plaza Hotel, 117 Milltown Rd, Old Shaw’s
Bridge, BT8 7XP
Tickets:£45 per head
Get ready for some glitz and glamour at our Glitter Ball. This wonderful evening will include a Prosecco reception, fabulousfour-course dinner with a choice of red or white wine, photo booth and a disco!
Booking is simple, through the following link:
Maiden Voyage Dance Company Performance of
‘Quartet for 15 Chairs’
audio description available
(ages 3 to 8)
Date:Saturday 8 October, 2pm
Venue:The MAC, 10 Exchange Street, Belfast, BT1 2NJ
Tickets:£6.00 each
Family Tickets:£20.00 for four people
For more information please contact the Maiden Voyage Dance Company on 028 9033 0925
Parent’s Information Evening – Newry
Date: Wednesday 12 October 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Venue: Ballybot House, 28 Cornmarket, Newry, BT35 8BG
Contact Roisin for more information
Family Bowling outing – Dundonald (ages 5 to12)
Date: Saturday 15 October 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Dundonald Ice Bowl, 111 Old Dundonald Road, Belfast,BT16 1XT
A great day out for the family with a good old game of bowling. Lunch provided.
For more information or to book please contact
Charlene or Laura
Parent’s Information Evening – Dungannon
Date: Tuesday 18 October 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Venue:Ranfurly Arts and Visitor Centre, 26 Market Square,
Dungannon, BT70 1AB
Our Realise Project Coordinator Donna McNicholl will be coming along to talk about the opportunities with the project, including IT/careers support, one-to-one lessons in music/swimming and
more. If you have previously been in touch with the project we would also love to hear your feedback and views on how we
should shape future services.
Contact Roisin for more information
Maiden Voyage Dance Company Performance of
‘Quartet for 15 Chairs’
audio description available
(ages 3 to 8)
Date: Tuesday 18 October 10.00am or 11.15am.
Venue: Theatre at the Mill, Mossley Mill, Carnmoney Road North,
Newtownabbey, BT36 5QA
Tickets:£4.00 each
For more information please contact the Maiden Voyage Dance Company on 028 9033 0925
Realise Project IT Workshop (ages 8 to 16)
Date:Saturday 22 October 10.30am – 12.30pm
Venue:RNIB DerryOffice, First Floor, Embassy Building,
3 Strand Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 7BH
Come along and learn about assistive technology, new apps for iPad, Zoom text, or have a go at touch typing. Parents/
carers/ classroom assistants/teachers welcome to observe.
For more information or to book please contact Donna
Family Insight Education Workshop
Supporting your child’s learning at home
Date: Saturday 22 October 12.00 – 4.30pm
Venue:Rosspark Hotel, Kells, Ballymena, BT42 3LZ,
This exciting event will include practical ideas on how to best
support and extend your child’s learning at home. Speakers
will include professional teachers, a classroom assistant
and a parent’s perspective. We will discuss practical tips on supporting numeracy and literacy including ‘Tools for School’.
There will be an opportunity for parents to share their ideas and a question and answer session.
Hot lunch served at 12.00pm, event followed by refreshments.
Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Please contact
Karen at Angel Eyes NI
Parent’s information evening – Portadown
Date:Wednesday 26 October 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Venue: Cherrytrees Resource Centre, 1A Edenderry Gardens,
Portadown, BT63 5EA
Contact Roisin for more information
Halloween Play Time
Date:Saturday 29 October 11.00am
Venue:Castle Island Enniskillen, Carron House, Quay Pass,
Enniskillen, BT74 6AG
“Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
Kids soft play, talk and tea, dress up and party with RNIB.
For more information or to book please contact Charlene or Laura
Halloween Family Festival (for all the family)
Date:Monday 31 October 10.00am – 4.00pm
Venue: Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, 153 Bangor
Road, Holywood, BT18 0EU
Magic shows and fancy dress competition. Sample traditional
fayres and learn more about how families celebrated All
Hallows’ Eve in the early 1900s. Be wary of the witch around
the railways and the old hag that haunts Ballycultra town! Visit
the owls who have taken up residence in the Rail Galleries
surrounded by majestic trains. Their infamous drama finale will
end the day and is not to be missed! Transport may be available.
For more information or to book please contact Charlene, Laura or Roisin
Parent Information Evening - Support in the eye clinic and benefits support
Date: Monday 2 November 7.00pm
Venue: Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Foundation Road,
Cookstown, BT80 8QF
Laura Irwin, RNIB NI Welfare Rights Officer, will provide
information on benefits available for your child with sight
loss and you as carers.
Our Paediatric Eye Care Liaison Officer Andie Morrow will
also be on hand to go through the registration process and
give a general overview on the QTVI assessments for your
child. Andie works with the Children’s Consultants at the Royal
Victoria Hospital referring into Sensory Support and Vision
Support Teachers.
For more information or to book please contact Charlene
Movie and Munchies Night
Date: Friday 11 November 6.00pm
Venue: Ballymena IMC, Larne Road Link, Ballymena, BT42 3HA
Movie TBC. We will be going for food in Frankie and Benny’s
afterwards.
For more information or to book please contact Charlene
Family Weekend (children with standalone sight loss)
Date: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 November
Venue: Lusty Beg Island, Enniskillen, BT93 8AD
Tailored for families of children with sight loss, this is a fun
weekend for the whole family, whilst offering a break to
parents. As always, places for this weekend are in demand.
Priority will be given to those families who have yet to attend
a weekend.
For more information or to book please contact Laura
Realise Project Weekend Away (ages 17 to 20)
Date: Friday 18 – Sunday 20 November
Venue: Lusty Beg Island, Enniskillen, BT93 8AD
A free weekend away to experience some off-road driving,
archery, speed boating and team work. You can also chill out at the pool or sauna or just relax in the beautiful surroundings
of Lusty Beg Island.
For more information or to book please contact Donna
Angel Eyes NI Gourmet Evening
Date: Friday 2 December 7.00pm
Venue: Belfast Harbour Commissioner’s Office, Corporation
Square, Belfast, BT1 3AL. Tickets:£100 per person
Join us for a unique celebration of local food and drink in
a beautiful historic setting as the Northern Ireland Year of Food
and Drink draws to a close. Signature dishes from leading chefs,
auction and much more.
Contact Frances or visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/
angeleyesni/harbour-commissioners-evening
Meet Santa and Travel on the Winterland Express at W5
Date: Saturday 3 December 11.00am
Venue: Odyssey Pavilion, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast, BT3 9QQ
It’s the most wonderful time of year and something mystical
and magical is happening at W5. From a miniature train ride to seasonal crafts and a magical Santa experience, unwrap a festive adventure for all this Christmas at W5. Please bring a packed lunch.
This is sure to be a popular event so book early to avoid disappointment. For more information please contact Roisin,
Charlene or Laura
Santa at the Folk Park
When:Saturday 10 December 11.30am
Where:Ulster American Folk Park, 2 Mellon Road,
Omagh, BT78 5QU
Back by popular demand. We are off to take a turn of Christmas
past, have story time with the mummers, visit the toy maker,
feed Santa’s reindeer and visit the man himself. He might have
a little something for you!
For more information or to book please contact Laura
Pantomime Time – The Gingerbread Mix-Up
Date: Sunday 11 December
Times: 12.15pm – Touch Tour, show starts 1.30pm
Venue: Lyric Theatre, 55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast, BT9 5FB
Tickets: £5 each,please email or phone Frances at Angel Eyes NI
Meet Primrose: apple of her Dad’s eye, bane of her Mum’s life, all-round little monster. Cast out in the forest with only her Nintendo for company, Primrose meets Pardon – cool cat turned witch’s assistant, with a promising sideline in Big Bad Wolf
impersonations. Can Pardon save Primrose from the evil old witch’s cooking pot? Will the witch find out who’s been eating her gingerbread house? Will Primrose ever finish level 4 of
Bandor, Master of Neverworld? Find out in The Gingerbread Mix-Up, only at the Lyric this Christmas.
Places are limited. A refundable deposit will secure your place.
Please contact Frances at Angel Eyes NI
Cinderella Pantomime – Derry/Londonderry
(relaxed performance)
Date: Sunday 18 December 5.30pm
Venue: Millennium Forum, Newmarket Street,
Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6EB
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!! Come and have a ball at the biggest
panto in the North West! Step into Christmas and have a truly
magical family experience at the Forum with the fun-filled
pantomime, Cinderella.
Tickets are limited. For more information contact Laura
Cinderella Pantomime – Belfast (relaxed performance)
Date: Wednesday 11 January 6.00pm
Venue: Grand Opera House, 2-4 Great Victoria Street, Belfast,
BT2 7HR.
RNIB have reserved front row seats at the Grand Opera House’s
annual pantomime performance of Cinderella. Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Grand Opera House audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh out loud comedy,
stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and
hisses. Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her
very ugly sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming. The
clock is ticking, so book your tickets now!
As always priority will be given to families who were not at
last year’s Panto. Contact Roisin, Charlene or Laura to book
Ongoing activities
RNIB Realise project one to one support
Onetoone taster sessions in extracurricular activities such
as swimming, music, horse riding etc for ages 8 to 16 years.
Onetoone taster sessions in technology support for ages
8 to 20 years.
Onetoone guidance in subject choice or career support for
ages 13 to 20 years.
For more information please contact Donna
Realise Project Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Realise Project is now taking bookings for Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award which is due to start in October 2016.
For more information please contact Donna
Angel Eyes NI Regular Clubs and Groups
The Saturday Club (ages 4 to 18)
Date:Every 3 weeks, Saturday 24 September, 15 October,
5 and 26 November, and 17 December (Christmas Party)
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 simply to enjoy a bit of peer support and a chance to talk with Angel Eyes NI’s in-house experts.
The first session will have sport from DSNI and a Clayotic Workshop.
Booking is essential to ensure we have the appropriate level of support. To book please email
If you are new to the club, please contact Frances at Angel
Eyes NI on 028 9094 1632 or email and
we will send you a one-off registration form.
Sunday Sports Club
Date:Sunday 25 September, Sunday 6 November
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Venue:Foyle Arena, 2 Limavady Road, Derry/Londonderry,
BT47 6JY
This is a great way for families to come together for an hour when the parents can catch up over a cuppa while the children have lots of fun trying new sports with trained coaches, with
support from DSNI.
For more information please contact Frances at Angel Eyes NI
In Tune workshops with Open Arts (ages 5+)
Venue: Spectrum Centre, Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 3AA
For more details on dates and times, please contact Frances
at the Angel Eyes NI office on 028 9094 1632 or email
Parents and 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 from birth to four and their
parents/carers.
Parent and Tots Antrim
Date:Wednesday 12 October, 16 November, 14 December
Time:11.00am – 12.30pm
Venue: Funky Monkeys, Junction One, 111 Ballymena Road,
Antrim, BT41 4LL
Please contact Charlene to book
Parents and Tots Jordanstown
Dates: Thursday 27 October, 24 November, 15 December
Time:11.00am – 12.30pm
Venue:Jordanstown School, 85 Jordanstown Road,
Newtownabbey, BT37 0QE
Please contact Charlene to book
Parents and Tots Newry
Dates:Friday 21 October
Time:10.30am – 12.00pm
Venue:Orana Centre, 2 Warrenpoint Road, Newry, BT34 2PF
This event, in partnership with Surestart, invites parents/carers
of children with sight and/or hearing loss and additional needs
to come and meet others in a similar situation. Each month we
have a set theme and activity for children and parents to have fun with. For more information contact Roisin
Parent and Tots Lurgan
Dates:Last Thursday of each month - 29 September,
20 October, 10 November, 8 December.
Venue: The Links, 23A Castle Lane, Lurgan,
Craigavon BT67 9BD
We have sessions coming up with Relax kids, Access Technology,
Arts and crafts making and much more. The group is in
partnership with Splash Surestart and Mencap.
For more information contact Roisin
Time to Play Groups
We would like to make you aware of the Family Focus – Time
To Play groups, a new opportunity for children aged from birth
to four 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, Blind
Children UK (NI), 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 email
BCUK(NI)
0845 3727 402 or
Sense
Colette Gray on 028 9083 3430
3079
Contact us
RNIB
Roisin Meagher – Southern Trust Family Officer
028 9033 4122 or 07939 300 949
Charlene Brunty – Northern Trust Family Officer
028 9033 4117 or 07772 693 446
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 301 949
Angel Eyes NI
Paula Robson
028 9094 1633 or
Karen Wilson – Education Advocate (Family Insight Project)
028 9094 1634 or
Frances Boyd
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.
© Action for Blind People registered charity number 205913
and SC040050