RNIB NI Children, young people and families team
Events April – September 2017
Welcome to our events for end of April – September 2017.
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
Family fun day - Newry Funhouse
Date: Saturday 29 April, 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Greenbank Industrial Estate, Rampart Road BT34 2QU
Families are invited to come along for a spot of lunch and kids can go wild in the indoor play area.
For more information and to book, contact Roisin
Albinism Fellowship Information Day
Date: Saturday 29 April, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Venue: RNIB NI, First Floor, Embassy Building, 3 Strand Road, L'Derry BT48 7BH
These events are a great chance for families and adults with albinism to get together, share advice and experiences and learn more about albinism and services available in Northern Ireland.
For more information and to book, contact: Rosaleen Dempsey on 028 9033 4116 or
Family fun day - Cooley Castles, Omagh
Date: Saturday 13 May, 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Venue: 47 Cooley Rd, Sixmilecross, Omagh BT79 0SP
Come along for a day full of bouncy castles, go karting and more.
For more information or to book a place contact Laura
Albinism Fellowship Information Day
Date: Saturday 20 May, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Venue: RNIB NI, Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LS
These events are a great chance for families and adults with albinism to get together, share advice and experiences and learn more about albinism and services available in Northern Ireland.
For more information and to book, contact: Rosaleen Dempsey on 028 9033 4116 or
Air-Tastic – Bangor
Date: Saturday 27 May, 11.00am
Venue:Air – Tastic Units 3-5, South Circular Retail Park, Newtownards Road, Bangor, BT19 7AG
Come along to Bangor’s indoor trampoline area. Lots of games and activities to try. Trampolines age 5 and up. Soft play area for under 5s.
For more information or to book a place contact Laura
Play therapy – Parents’ session
When: Saturday 27 May, 10.00am – 4.30pm
Where: RNIB Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LS
From time to time every child experiences something frightening, sad or painful. Difficult feelings can sometimes linger and resurface. These days there is so much information available about what helps children develop – but sometimes this information can be a little scary. We feel ever more pressured as parents to ‘get it right’.
There are simple but very powerful steps we can take to help our children to heal from the wounds and disappointments life sometimes brings. How do we help our children to heal, grow and move through?
We are delighted that Sinead and Charlene from Play Therapy NI have agreed to deliver this workshop for us. The workshop is adults only and plenty of relaxing and recharging is involved along with the transformational work.
Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
For more information and to book Roisin
Family Weekend for families of children with complex needs
Date: Friday 2– Sunday 4 June
Venue: La Mon Hotel and Country Club, Castlereagh, Belfast BT23 5RF
This weekend is tailored for families of children with sight loss and additional complex needs. We will have therapies for the children to engage in and fun activities for the whole family, whilst offering a break to parents.
As always, this weekend is very in demand, with only a limited number of family places so we offer priority to those families who have yet to attend a weekend. If you have attended a weekend before but would like to go again, please request to put your name down but we ask that you understand that you may not get a place.
For more information and to book Charlene or Roisin by Friday 5 May.
Note: We will also be running a family weekend in November for children with complex needs. Please contact Laura for information.
Stena Line Pirates and Princesses Kids Cruise
Date: Saturday 17June
Venue: Stena Line Superfast (Belfast to Cairnryan non-landing return)
Our big summer event this year is something a little different. Come with us for a big party on the Stena Line Superfast where children can be pirates and princesses for the day. Faces will be painted, balloon animals will be squeakily created, there’s dressing up, arts, puppet shows, party games plus a disco and karaoke that keeps them bouncing until home-time.
Leaving at 11.30 on the Superfast, they’ll party until we arrive back in Belfast at 17.45. It’s a fantastic non-landing cruise, perfect for under 8s, but all are welcome. Places for this event are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
For more information or to book a place contact Roisin, Charlene or Laura
Sensory Kids Play programme (Up to age 19)
Date: Each Wednesday during the month of June, starting 7 June.
Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm
Venue:70 Broughshane House, Main Street Broughshane BT42 4JA
A four week programme for children with complex needs. Sensory Kids is a family business set up to help young children with special needs as well as able-bodied children to enhance their development.
For more information and to book, contact Charlene
Parents information evenings - Dungannon
Date: Thursday 15 June, 7.00pm
Venue: Ranfurly House, Dungannon
These evenings are aimed at parents who would like to share concerns or gather knowledge about the different stages involved in supporting their child. Come along and have a cuppa and a scone and meet others in a similar situation.
For more information please contact Roisin
Lusty Beg Residential– (Ages 18 to 20)
Date: Friday 16 – Sunday 18 June
Venue: Lusty Beg Island, Ardshankill, Kesh, Enniskillen BT93 8AE
We are inviting you to an action packed weekend, not to be missed. Activities will include: off-road driving, archery, canoeing, and team games. We will also be including workshops to provide; support in career searching and employment, RNIB Connect and campaigning.
Transport, accommodation, activities and meal costs are covered. Swimming pool optional. However, bring swimwear and towel as we will be taking part in water activities.
Please note that we have limited spaces. Newcomers will take priority
For more information and to book, contact Donna or Danny
Parents information evening - Portadown
Date: Wednesday 21 June, 7.00pm
Venue: Cherrytrees Resource Centre, 1A Edenderry Gardens, Gilford Road, Portadown BT63 5EA
These evenings are aimed at parents who would like to share concerns or gather knowledge about the different stages involved in supporting their child. Come along and have a cuppa and a scone and meet others in a similar situation.
For more information and to book Roisin
Go Mountain Biking Three Day Course (Ages 11-25)
Dates: Tuesday 4 July – Thursday 6 July
Venue: Belfast Activity Centre, Barnett’s Stable Yard,
Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5PB
Three fun days where you have to opportunity to learn
new skills on a mountain bike and gain a ‘go mountain
biking’ qualification.
For more information or to book, contact Ryan Sturrock
on 028 9032 9373.
NERF Works - (Ages 6 and over)
Date: Friday 7 July, 11.00am - 1.00pm
Venue: NERF Works, 51 Green Road, Ballyclare, BT39 9PH
Blast your way to victory at NERF Works Ballyclare! Let off steam in the purpose built arena - the only official NERF site in Northern Ireland!
For more information and to book Charlene or Laura
Watersports Fun Day – (Ages 8 and over)
Date: Saturday 8 July, 11.00am – 2.00pm
Venue: Craigavon Watersports Centre, 1 Lake Road,
Craigavon BT64 1AS
Have a blast testing your water skills by banana boating and
canoeing on this fun day out. Wetsuits and lunch included. Transport may be provided.
For more information or to book contact Roisin
Jungle NI – (Ages 8 and over)
Date: Tuesday 11 July, 10.30am – 3.00pm
Venue: The Jungle NI, 60 Desertmartin Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, BT45 7RB
Come along and enjoy some serious fun and adventure! A great day out for the family with zorbing in the morning, BBQ for lunch, then up into the trees we go for a treetop trail.
For more information and to book Charlene
Share Village Residential – (Ages 13 to 17)
Date: Monday 17 – Friday 21 July
Venue: Share Village, Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ
It’s that time of year again. We’re inviting you to a fun-filled week of activities and workshops. Build on your personal independence, learn new skills and meet new people.
Activities will include: banana boating, archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, sports and team games. Workshops will cover: support in subject choice, career planning and I.T. Swimming pool optional. However bring swimwear and towel as we will be taking part in water activities.
*We will also be running a short film making workshop (‘Raising awareness on issues around sight loss’). If you would like to take part in only the film making, and not the residential, we will take names for the one day event.
For more information and to book, contact Donna or Danny
Please note that we have limited spaces. Newcomers will take priority
Film making with the Realise project- (Ages 13 to 17)
Date: Tuesday 18 or Thursday 20 July
Venue: Share Village, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ
This is an excellent opportunity to have fun and learn how to create a short video using an iphone/ipad. You will be taken through all the essential stages from generating ideas, storyboarding, planning and filming to importing and editing, adding transitions, sound effects and text, to sharing videos on the internet. In just a few hours, you will gain skills to take away and apply on your own videos.
We are running this workshop as part of our 13 to 17 year old residential. If you would like to take part in only the film making, and not the residential, we will take names for the one day event.
For more information and to register interest, contact Donna or Danny
Family fun day in Dungannon
Date: Wednesday 19 July, 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Dungannon Funky Monkeys, Oaks Centre, Dungannon BT71 4NA.
Families are invited to come along for a spot of lunch and kids can go wild in the indoor play area.
For more information and to book Roisin
Confidence Building Residential – (Ages 10 to 14)
Date: Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 July
Venue: Ardaluin House, Bryansford Road, Newcastle BT33 0LF
This residential offers children the chance to get away and meet others while learning new skills and having fun. It may be of particular benefit to children who haven’t been on a residential before. Transport may be available.
For more information and to book Roisin
Family fun day- Coleraine (Up to age 12)
Date: Thursday 27 July, 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Cheeky Chimps 24 Newmills Road 24 C&D Northbrook Industrial Estate, Coleraine BT52 2JB
A great family fun day at the soft play with face panting lunch to end the day
For more information or to book please contact Charlene
Paddling Qualification Three Day Course (Ages 11 to 25)
Date: Monday 31 July – Wednesday 2 August
Venue: Belfast Activity Centre Barnett’s Stable Yard,
Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5PB
An excellent opportunity to enjoy three fun days of paddling
where at the end of it you get a paddling qualification.
For more information or to book contact Ryan Sturrock
on 028 9032 9373.
Movie and popcorn evening -(Ages 7 to 14)
Date: Friday 5 August
Venue: IMC Ballymena, Larne Road Link, Ballymena BT42 3HA
Have a good time watching a movie in the cinema with some treats. Movie and time to be confirmed closer to date.
For more information or to book please contact Charlene
Share Village Residential - (Ages 10 to 12)
Date: Monday 7 – Friday 11 August
Venue: Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ
It’s that time of year again. We are inviting you to a fun filled week of activities and workshops. Build on your personal independence, learn new skills and meet new people.
Activities will include: banana boating, archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, sports and team games, I.T. workshop.
Swimming pool optional. (However bring swimwear and towel as we will be taking part in water activities)
For more information and to book, contact Donna or Danny
Please note that we have limited spaces. Newcomers will take priority.
Summer Schemes
All summer schemes for ages 8 and above.
Movie Making Madness
Lights, Camera, Action!! These three day workshops are an opportunity to see what it’s like behind the scenes of making a movie. Plan and develop your story, set the scene and roll the camera.
Derry/Londonderry
Date: 14 – 16 August
Venue: The Nerve Centre,7-8 Magazine St, L/Derry BT48 6HJ
Belfast
Date: TBC
Venue: Nerve Belfast,Ulidia Resource Centre, Somerset St, Belfast BT7 2GS
For more information or to book a place contact Laura
Southern Trust Summer scheme – Newry
Date: 14 – 18 August
Venue: Venue in Newry TBC
This fun five day summer scheme will give our children and young people the chance to try out different fun activities and make friends. Activities will include arts and crafts, music, dance, cooking, and karate to name a few. Transport may be available for those travelling from outside areas.
To book or for more information please contact Roisin.
** If you would be interested in volunteering at this group or know someone who would, please get in touch.
Northern Trust Summer scheme - Cookstown
Date: Monday 21- Wednesday 23 August
Venue: Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Fourtain Road, Cookstown, BT80 8QF
This fun three day summer scheme will give our children and young people the chance to try out different fun activities and make friends. Activities will include arts and crafts, music, dance, cooking.
For more information and to book contact Charlene
Family fun day in Portadown
Date: Saturday 16 September, 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Peter Pan’s Neverland, Unit 4 Meadows Retail Park, Portadown, BT62 3NJ
Families are invited to come along for a spot of lunch and kids can go wild in the indoor play area.
For more information and to book Roisin
Dundonald fun day
Date: Saturday16 September, 11.00am - 2.45pm
Venue:Dundonald International Ice Bowl, 111 Old Dundonald Rd, Belfast BT16 1XT
A great family fun day out ice skating with a bit of lunch and to end the day a great game bowling.
For more information and to book Charlene or Laura
Johnny Rocco's – Enniskillen
Date: Saturday 23 September, 11.00am
Venue: Johnny Rocco's, 35 Main St, 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
Roe Park Resort Family Weekend
Date: Friday 6 October – Sunday 8 October
Venue: Roe Park Resort, 10 Lisnakilly Road, Limavady BT49 9FB
This weekend is tailored for children with sight loss and their families and offers an opportunity to meet with other parents in a relaxed environment while the kids are entertained with a wide range of activities. Places on our family weekends are always in high demand and spaces are limited so please book early. While priority is given to families who have yet to attend a weekend, we encourage families to put their names on the waiting list.
For more information or to book contact Laura.
Note:We will also be running an additional family weekend in November for children with complex needs. Please contact Laura for information.
Clubs/Groups
Kids Club in Banbridge (Ages 5 and up)
Date: Every second Friday, 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Tesco Extra Community Room, Bridgewater Retail Park, Banbridge, Down BT32 4LF
Due to popular demand we are holding our Banbridge kids club every second Friday. We will have games and crafts, all with a bid to increase confidence. Numbers are limited.
For more information and to book, contact Roisin
Kids Club in Armagh (Ages 5 and up)
Date: Saturday 6 May
Venue:Market Place Theatre, Armagh BT61 7BW
Following 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 5+ and their siblings.
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 regular clubs and groups
The Saturday Club (Ages 4 to 18 years)
Date: 22 April, 13 May, 3 June, 24 June
Time: 2.00 – 4.00pm
Venue: Jordanstown School, 85 Jordanstown Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QE