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8. Sight Support Whats On August 25 (DOCX, 126 KB)


 

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Sight Support Events and Notices

Win up to £500 in our Summer Raffle!

Our Summer Raffle is back and it’s a great way to support us and be in with a chance to win!

Prizes include a top prize of £500, plus cash prizes of £100, £25, and £10. Tickets are just £1 each or £10 for a book of 10 tickets. All proceeds support the work of Sight Support West of England, Wiltshire Sight, and Insight Gloucestershire.

Buy online today and we’ll email your ticket numbers. If you’d like to sell tickets on our behalf, call us on 0117 322 4885 and we’ll post you some ticket books.
The last day to enter is Friday 3 October.

Buy tickets here: Raffle tickets webpage

Find out more or see terms and conditions: Our Summer Raffle webpage

Smart Discovery Sessions

Curious about smartphones but don’t have one yet? These one-hour sessions, held at our social groups, are a relaxed way to explore what’s possible. We’ll show you how voice commands make smartphones easier to use and you can have a go for yourself.

To book your place on a course, call Sam Edwards on 0117 322 4885 or email info@sightsupportwest.org.uk

Eye Can Bath – our next exhibition is on 16 October!

We’re heading to Bath Pavilion for our next Eye Can exhibition on Thursday 16 October, from 10am to 3pm (last entry 2.15pm).

As always, it’s free to attend and packed with useful info for anyone living with sight loss. Come and explore the latest tech, equipment, services, and support – plus talks throughout the day and friendly advice from our Sight Loss Advisors.

To pre-register, call us on 0117 322 4885 or email info@sightsupportwest.org.uk.

Could you volunteer with us?

We’re looking for friendly volunteers to support our social groups and digital skills sessions.

In Keynsham, we need a volunteer to help out at a monthly social group – making refreshments, greeting new members, and helping everyone feel included.

In the Bath area, we’re also looking for someone confident with smartphones or tablets to provide one-to-one digital support at our monthly tech group.

If you or someone you know might be interested in volunteering, we’d love to hear from you. There are roles across the region and full support is provided.

Find out more:
www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/ or email Becs our Volunteer Coordinator – volunteering@sightsupportwest.org.uk


 

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Sight Support Hubs and Social Groups

Click here for our hub and social group listings webpage.

Our monthly advice hubs offer consultations with local advisors across the region. At a hub you can get tailored information and guidance and explore accessible aids. Most hubs also host social groups where you can meet others living with sight loss. Full listings are available on our website (linked above) You can put your postcode in the search bar to find your nearest hub. or give us a call on 0117 322 4885.

Hub updates to note

Chew Valley Hub is moving

From September, our Chew Valley appointment-only hub will relocate from Stanton Drew to a new venue in Chew Magna. The hub will now take place at:
The Old School Room, Millennium Hall, South Parade, Chew Magna, BS40 8SH
Sessions will be on the third Wednesday of each month, with the first at the new location on 17 September 2025, from 10am to 12pm.

Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment.

New social group in Thornbury

We’re launching a new social group in Thornbury for people living with sight loss. Come along from Monday 8th September Ihub will take place on  the second Monday of each month), from 1pm to 3pm, at Thornbury Methodist Church, High Street, BS35 2AQ – the entrance to the Church Hall is via Castle Court.

Bradley Stoke Hub – room change

From Thursday 18 September 2025, our Bradley Stoke Hub will take place in Room 4 at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. The address remains the same, but the hub has moved to a different room in the building.  Sessions continue on the third Thursday of each month.


 

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Events & Notices From Other Organisations

Avon Talking Magazine want to hear from you

Avon talking magazine are looking to interview people about their lived experiences of sight loss.

If you are interested, please call 0117 9525121 or 0788 979 8582


 

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Local Leisure and Sporting Activities / Events

Regular Groups

Regular sport and leisure groups webpage

For a list of regular sport and leisure groups that don’t change each month and offered by other organisations, please see our website (linked above).

VIP Reading Group – Bristol Central Library, College Green

Takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 10.30 till 12.  Audio books are chosen from RNIB’s talking book service so it’s helpful to sign up before joining. The next books are:

  • 31 July – The Gift of Rain by Twan Tan Eng. 1939 Penang. The story of a man of Chinese/British heritage who feels alienated from both communities. He befriends a Japanese diplomat but questions of loyalty arise when Japan invades Malaya.
  • 28 August – Blackout by Simon Scarrow
  • 25 September – Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry
  • 30 October – Emma by Jane Austen
  • 27 November – Staying on by Paul Scott
  • 26 December – no meeting
  • 29 January – An Instance of the Finger Post by Iain Pears

Further information email vibookgroup.bristol@gmail.com or Katharine Seymour, Central Library on 07880 069877

Visually Impaired Sailing

The Visually Impaired Sailing Association (VISA) has published its schedule for 2025,

Sensing Nature and Wellbeing Walks – Westonbirt Arboretum

Join a visually impaired guide for an immersive sensory walk through the trees at Westonbirt. These interactive experiences explore the arboretum at a slower pace using nonvisual senses.

Walks run every Friday at 11:30am from April to September and last around 1.5 hours. No need to book – just meet at the Welcome Building.

Free but admission fees apply. Please wear suitable footwear for walking on grass. Assistance dogs only. Some guides will be working with guide dogs – please don’t distract them.

For more information:
customerrelations@forestryengland.uk / 0300 067 4890

Sailing at Chew Lake with CLADS

CLADS offers inclusive sailing sessions at Chew Valley Lake, welcoming people with a disability, with or without sailing experience. Enjoy fresh air, meet others, and build confidence on the water. Two free taster sessions available. Email info@clads.co.uk to find out more.

Inclusive Table Tennis – Share Your Views

Ignite Bristol is exploring a new inclusive table tennis programme and would love your input. If you’re interested in taking part or helping shape the sessions, fill in this short form: https://forms.gle/iLEMMsS9GV17vmyEA

Bristol Arrow Bowls Club.

Click here: Bristol Arrow Bowls Club website

Sessions for people living with sight loss take place every Monday and Friday from 2pm at the Bristol Arrow Bowls Club, 80 Redland Road, Bristol, BS6 6AG. Contact Mike Blunsden, Chair, for more information on 01179 567354.

Tyntesfield garden walks for blind and partially sighted visitors

The National Trust is offering sensory garden walks at Tyntesfield for blind and partially sighted visitors. These interactive tours explore nature through touch, sound and scent, and include insights into the estate’s history.

Walks take place on the fourth Friday of each month from 11am, following a fully accessible three quarter mile trail. Each session is limited to 6 participants (plus companions).

Attendance is free but standard admission applies. A mobility shuttle is available.

Please note walks may be cancelled in unsafe weather.

For details, visit the National Trust Tyntesfield website.


 

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Support Groups and Courses

Regular Support Groups

Webpage for regular support groups and services

See our website for a list of regular support groups offered by other organisations that take place locally and online.

Royal National College – Get Workplace Ready Course

RNB are offering a Get Workplace Ready, a free three-month course for ages 18–29, starting 27 October.
Details and booking: www.rnc.ac.uk

RNIB Living well with sight loss courses

During August, RNIB will be running three presentations of its Living Well with Sight Loss telephone course.  The four-session course is open to people with sight loss across the UK and first one starts on 1st August.

RNIB LIving Well With Sight Loss Telephone Courses

RNIB is also running a telephone course, ‘Focus on Friends and Family’ starting on 3rd September.


 

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Local Audio Described Arts Events

Galleries and Museums

Bristol Museum – Gender Stories

10 September from 6 – 8.30 pm after the museum closes. Details of tour to follow in next edition. In the meantime, read more about the exhibition at Gender Stories | Bristol Museums Audio described content available via QR codes

Arnolfini Gallery

Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA

The next described sessions will be on Saturday 2nd August and Sat 6th September from 10-11am

The tours will explore 2 exhibitions. The Other side of the Mountain by Sarah Longe and Standing by the ruins by Dana Awartani. Samples of Dana’s work can be handled.

Tours held before the galleries are open to the public so are relaxed and with minimal disruption.

Sighted guides will be there to assist you and complimentary tea and coffee will be served in the café bar, afterwards. Free event – but please email to book a space community@arnolfini.org.uk

Bath – Victoria Art Gallery

Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, BA2 4AT

  • 18 August 2025 – Katharine Wall, Collections Manager
  • 15 September – Lost Spells
  • 27 October – Jane Austen’s Bath

Sessions run from 10–11.30. The gallery is closed to the general public on those days so please ring 01225 477232 for access information or email

Kersti Haabjoern – Kersti_Haabjoern@bathnes.gov.uk

Royal West of England Academy

The next described tours will be of the 2025 Annual Open Exhibition. Dates to be confirmed. Contact: Connie Ngan connie.ngan@rwa.org.uk

 

Theatres – Upcoming Audio Described Shows

 

 

Bristol Beacon

Neon Dance in Bristol with workshops

A powerful fusion of music, film and dance comes to Bristol Beacon on Friday 26 September, 8pm. Last and First Men is audio described and features live music, bold choreography, and narration by Tilda Swinton. Suitable for ages 14+. Tickets: £11.20–£20.16.

Booking link: https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/last-and-first-men-by-neon-dance

Booking contact number 0117 203 4040

Booking contact email hello@bristolbeacon.org

Bristol Hippodrome

St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ

  • 18 October – Welsh National Opera perform Tosa by Puccini
  • 1 November – The Book of Mormon
  • 18 November – Mamma Mia!
  • Sunday 14 December – Jack and the Beanstalk with Will Young

Book touch tours separately. Contact Access for All bristoladmin@theambassadors.com or call the access booking line 0333 009 5399 for tickets

 

Bristol Old Vic

King St, BS1 4ED

  • 4 October – Starter for Ten. The musical of David Nicholls book returns with Mel Giedroyc
  • 20 December – Treasure Island
  • 24 January 2026 – Lost Atoms – At times hilarious, at times devastating the play explores how memory affects the way we look at love

More details and to book – ring the Box office – 0117 987 7877

Bath – Theatre Royal

Sawclose, BA1 1ET

  • 30 August – As You Like It – with Harriet Walker
  • 18 October – Small Hotel with Ralph Fiennes
  • 21 and 30 December – The further Adventure of Peter Pan
  • 28 February – Prima Facie – with Jodie Comer. The hottest ticket in town. Mostly sold out –  but tickets for AD performance may be available

Preshow audio notes sent before show. Hearing devices are available from all bars when the house opens – 30 mins before the show. All shows have touch tours. For more details and tickets phone 01225 448844. Make sure you subscribe to the Theatre’s Access List.


 

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Children and Young People

Inclusive summer activities in Bristol

Ignite Bristol is running a brilliant range of inclusive sessions for d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent children and young people this summer:

Contact: Katie.Crook@accesssport.org.uk  or James.Snook@accesssport.org.uk

LOOK family bowling in Hereford

Join LOOK for a fun, free family bowling event on Wednesday 6 August, from 1pm to 3.30pm at Hereford Bowl.
This relaxed afternoon is for families with a visually impaired child or young person, including siblings and carers. It’s a great chance to connect with others, enjoy some friendly competition, and meet the LOOK team. All welcome, no bowling experience needed!
Book your place: LOOK Family Bowling Event

RNC events for young people

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is running three events:

  • Summer Weekend (2–3 August) for ages 10–13: V.I. sports, activities, and a slumber party (£25).
  • Open Day (19 September) for prospective students and families.
  • Have a Go Weekend (25–26 October) for ages 13–17: free accommodation, sports, music, and cooking.
  • They also offer Get Workplace Ready, a free three-month course for ages 18–29, starting 27 October.
    Details and booking: www.rnc.ac.uk

The Outlook Trust

The Outlook Trust organises outdoor activity and residential breaks for blind and partially sighted children and young people with additional disabilities.
Find out more: About The Outlook Trust Charity

Inclusive tennis in Winterbourne

Weekly sessions for disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent young people aged 8–18.

SEND inclusive climbing

Clip ‘N’ Climb sessions for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children aged 4–17.

  • Wednesdays, 5–6pm
  • BLOC Climbing Centre, BS2 0SH
  • £9.90 per session
    More info and booking: BLOC website

Super 1s girls’ cricket

Free inclusive cricket sessions for girls aged 12–25 with SEND.

City of Bristol Para Swimming Trials

For confident swimmers aged 7+ with basic stroke ability and a can-do attitude. Trials are flexible to individual needs.
Enquiries: cobscpara@gmail.com (Coach Keira)

Victa: VI tandem cycling in Reading

Victa is running a free VI cycling day on 19 August at Palmer Park Velodrome, Reading, for ages 8–17. Beginners welcome.
Apply by 1 August: Victa VI Cycling Application Website

Online Groups / Events / Socials


 

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Research Opportunities

Survey – Employment support for disabled people

The Commons Work and Pensions Committee has launched a new inquiry, ‘Employment support for disabled people‘, on how to improve the job prospects of disabled people and is calling for the views of disabled people, employers, and experts (the closing date for submissions is 29th September).

Writing and sight loss – share your experience

Anglia Ruskin University is exploring the challenges people with sight loss face when writing or typing. The aim is to better understand these difficulties and find practical solutions.

They’re looking for adults (18+) who experienced sight loss in both eyes after learning to read and write.

You can take part by completing a short 10–15 minute online survey, or by arranging a phone call with Rukaiya (15–30 mins) on 07460 445124.
Take the survey: A.R.U Survey Link


 

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Online Events / Notices / Groups / Socials

Looking for online groups, events or peer support?
You can find many of our regular online listings, including national social groups, webinars and condition-specific support, on our website.  Visit our Online Resources From Other Organisations webpage