Insight Gloucestershire What’s On E-Newsletter for May 2025
Find out about local notices, groups and events that are accessible to anyone living with sight loss. You can read the full What's On newsletter on this page by browsing the sections below. If you prefer, you can also download a Word document version of the newsletter.
Download the What's On newsletter as a Word document
If you find it easier to read a Word document version of the newsletter, you can download it below. The Word document follows our accessible formatting guidelines and may be easier to navigate with screen readers.
5. Insight Gloucestershire May 2025 (DOCX, 81 KB)
Insight Gloucestershire Events and Notices
Could our Moving Forward Course help you or someone you know?
Moving Forward event listings pages
Our online Moving Forward Course is designed to help people adjust to life with sight loss, build confidence, and learn practical skills. Taking place across three Zoom sessions in May, the course covers rehabilitation, accessible technology, and ways to stay active and independent.
The sessions are delivered by our experienced team and include plenty of time to ask questions and share experiences.
Course schedule:
Session 1 – First Steps: Tuesday 13 May, 2pm-3.15pm
Introduction to mobility, safety, and local support.
Session 2 – Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: Tuesday 20 May, 2pm-3.15pm
Simple tools and technology for everyday life.
Session 3 – Staying Social, Staying Active: Tuesday 27 May, 2pm-3.15pm
Specialist tech and social groups to stay connected.
We encourage attendance at all three sessions, but you are welcome to join just one if preferred.
The course is open to anyone supported by us, Wiltshire Sight, or Sight Support West of England.
To contact our partner charity Sight Support on 0117 322 4885 or email info@sightsupportwest.org.uk
Connect Online with Virtual Hubs
Our Virtual Hubs are open to anyone affected by sight loss. Hosted on Microsoft Teams, training is available for newcomers.
Join one of our hubs:
Parent Support Group: Third Thursday of month at 7:30 pm.
University Students Group: Fortnightly, Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Working Age Group: Third Thursday of the month at 7pm.
Young Adults Group (18–30): Fortnightly, Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Would you like to join? Contact us – 01242 221170 / info@insight-glos.org.uk
Insight Gloucestershire Hubs and Social Groups
Click here for our hub and social group listings webpage.
Our sight loss advice hubs provide a space for consultations with your local advisor, offering information, guidance, and advice on all things sight loss related. You can explore a selection of helpful aids at the hub and your advisor can suggest what equipment and technology might be useful to help you meet the challenges sight loss can pose. Additionally, some hubs host social groups where you can meet others, share tips and tricks, and enjoy a chat.
For full details of our sight loss advice hubs and social groups, see our website which has the latest information, or you can call our office on 01242 221170. See our hub and social group listings. You can put your postcode in the search bar to find your nearest hub.
Changes to Note for Upcoming Hubs.
- From the 19thMay onwards, the Cirencester Hub will be at Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, GL7 1YE on the 3rd Monday of each month drop in advice 10 – 11am, social group 10am to 12pm.
Events & Notices From Other Organisations
Could you or someone you know benefit from the Cotswold Vale Talking Newspaper?
The Cotswold Vale Talking Newspaper (CVTN) is a free audio service for anyone who has difficulty reading printed materials – including those living with sight loss. Each week, CVTN volunteers bring the news to life, reading aloud articles from local newspapers and magazines to help people stay connected with their community.
To find out more or to get in touch, visit www.cvtn.org.uk
Local Leisure and Sporting Activities / Events
Westonbirt the National Arboretum at Tetbury – Sensing Nature and Wellbeing Walks
Let our visually impaired guides lead you through an immersive and interactive sensory experience that aims to shift your perception, enjoy the arboretum at a slower pace and explore the trees of Westonbirt through your nonvisual senses.
Walks occur at 11:30am every Friday of the month from April – September.
Please note that dogs are not permitted on these walks (except assistance dogs). Some of our visually impaired guides will be assisted by a guide dog. Please do not disturb the assistance dogs while they are working.
How long? Approx. 1.5 hours
How much? Free after admission.
Where to meet? Meet at the Welcome Building, where you will be guided to the starting point for the walk.
Do I need to book? No.
What to wear? Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor walking as you will be going off path and over grass.
Accessibility? Dependent on weather, these sensory walks may not be suitable for wheelchair users due to the off path experience.
Get in touch customerrelations@forestryengland.uk /
Call 0300 067 4890
British Blind Sport launches new membership tiers
British Blind Sport Membership webpage
To celebrate 50 years, British Blind Sport has launched new membership tiers to support blind and partially sighted people to get active. The free Active Membership offers access to events, resources, a community Facebook group, a discount on BBS shop items, and more. New Professional and Friends of BBS memberships are also available for coaches, volunteers, and supporters. To find out more and join, visit their website (linked above) or email info@britishblindsport.org.uk
Nature in Art near Gloucester launches project to make art accessible
Nature in Art museum (located near Gloucester) has recently been awarded a Small Open Grant from Museum Development South West, with thanks to support from Arts Council England. This is to support our project ‘Art for Every Sense’, which aims to remove barriers for blind and visually impaired people to engage with art. We are planning to use audio commentary and tactile prints of our paintings to do this.
If you are interested in supporting this project through feedback, testing or other means, please ring 01452 733 942 or email Hattie Revans at keeper@natureinart.org.uk
Support Groups and Courses
Macular Groups
See list below, but please contact before attending, as groups may have an alternate venue, or an outing planned.
Call 0300 30 30 111
Gloucester Macular Group
Meet on the first Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm at Gloucester Deaf Association, Colin Road, Barnwood, GL4 3JL
Cheltenham Macular Group
Meet on the third Wednesday of each month 2pm to 4pm at Christ Church, Malvern Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2JH
Stroud Macular Group
Meet quarterly, 10am to 12pm in March, June, September and December
At Stroud Hospital, Trinity Road, Stroud, GL5 2HY
Helping young people with tech and skills – VICTA Tech Week webinars
Parent Workshops: Technology for your VI Child Website
To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025, VICTA and TAVIP are hosting three free webinars for parents and carers. Topics include the latest accessible tech (6 May), online safety for young people with SEND (12 May), and preparing for the move to university (15 May). Each session brings expert advice, practical tips, and a chance to ask questions. Choose the sessions you would like to attend when signing up. Find out more and register by contacting VICTA or visiting their website (linked above).
See Differently Support Group
An 18+ support group for the blind and visually impaired, along with their family members and / or carers. Come along to chat, socialise and maybe play a few games or two.
Takes place every other Tuesday, 1-2.30pm
Location: The Redwell Centre, Matson, GL4 6JG
Email Harvey on: seedifferently@hotmail.com
Stroud Visually Impaired Club
Meets on the first Thursday morning of the month in Sherborne House, Stonehouse. Members come from the Stroud area and Cam and Dursley. Transport maybe available.
Please contact Celia on:
07770 146536 / 01452 864645 or email: celiakelly1961 for more information.
Local Audio Described Arts Events
The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham
The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, is delighted to be offering audio described performances for:
- Dear Evan Hansen on Saturday 10th May at 2.00pm
- The Midnight Bell on Friday 16th May at 7.30pm (touch tour at 6.00pm TBC)
Touch Tours on stage at 11.30am (unless otherwise stated)
Please contact Sally-ann if you would like further details or to book the touch tour or tickets: on 01242 695574
sally-ann.rhodes@everymantheatre.org.uk
Please let Sally-ann know if you would like her to regularly post you a large print season brochure or if you would like to be removed from this mailing list.