What’s On Newsletter – January 2026
Read the latest What’s On newsletter for news, events and opportunities for blind and partially sighted people across our region.
Welcome
Welcome to the January edition of What’s On!
Welcome to What’s On, your monthly e-newsletter from your local sight loss charities – Sight Support West of England, Wiltshire Sight and Insight Gloucestershire.
Each month we’ll bring you the latest news, events and opportunities for blind and partially sighted people across our region, including updates from each charity and from external organisations.
We’ve recently brought our newsletters together into one shared edition so you can find everything in one place. Local news from your area is clearly marked under each charity’s section, and you may also discover new events and opportunities nearby that you might like to join.
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 or magnification software.
1. Whats On Newsletter January 2026 (DOCX, 134 KB)
General updates from your local sight loss charities
Festive closure
Our offices will close at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve and reopen at 9.30am on Friday 2 January.
We would like to wish you a happy Christmas and our very best wishes for 2026. Thank you for being part of our community, and we look forward to staying in touch in the New Year.
Moving Forward course – online
The Moving Forward course returns in February. It is a free, three session online course for people who are newly adjusting to sight loss. Running via Zoom in February 2026, the course offers practical information, reassurance and the chance to learn from specialist advisors. Sessions cover understanding local services and rehabilitation support, getting out and about safely, reading and everyday accessibility, and making the most of technology and social opportunities. Each session runs from 2pm to 3.15pm on 9, 16 and 23 February. Call us if you would like to book a place on the course – 0117 322 4885.
Find your local Sight Loss Advice Hub
Our monthly hubs offer advice, information and the chance to meet others who are blind or partially sighted. Visit our website to find your nearest hub and social group, or contact your local charity for details:
- Sight Support West of England – 0117 322 4885
- Wiltshire Sight – 01380 723682
- Insight Gloucestershire – 01242 221170
View hub listings on our website
Sight Support West of England news
Hub Updates
Due to the festive season, please note:
- The Bedminster hub due to take place on 2nd January at the Guide Dogs Centre is cancelled
- The Kingswood hub due to take place on the 1st January at The Park Centre is cancelled
Insight Gloucestershire news
Community Sight Loss Advisor (Cotswolds) – job vacancy
Insight Gloucestershire is recruiting a part time Community Sight Loss Advisor to support blind and partially sighted people across the Cotswolds, including Moreton in Marsh, Bourton on the Water, Chipping Campden and Cirencester. The role involves providing information, advice and guidance, working one to one with service users and helping organise local community hubs. The post is three days per week, salary £26,000 pro rata. No previous sight loss experience is required, as full training will be provided.
Closing date: Monday 5 January 2026 at 5pm. Find out more on our Work For Us webpage
Digital Skills Support Service for Gloucestershire
Our Digital Skills Advisor, Amanda, is now offering one to one support to help people feel more confident using technology, including smartphones, tablets and built in accessibility features. Appointments are available at community hubs in Moreton in Marsh, Cirencester, Bishops Cleave, Bourton on the Water, Gloucester, Nailsworth, Dursley, Tewksbury and Cheltenham. Amanda also offers regular appointments at the resource centres in Stroud on Tuesdays and Cheltenham on Thursdays.
To find out more or book an appointment, contact us on 01242 221170 or info@insight-glos.org.uk
Cheltenham theatre trips
Join Insight Gloucestershire for our upcoming theatre trips at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham:
- Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty on Thursday 22 January at 2pm. Tickets cost £33, with free carer tickets available.
- The Beekeeper of Aleppo on Thursday 4 June at 2pm, tickets cost £41 with free carer tickets available.
The trips include a free touch tour at 11.30am and an optional lunch at 12 noon (at extra cost). To book your place call us on 01242 221170.
Wiltshire Sight news
Hub Updates
Due to the festive season, please note:
- The Highworth Hub due to take place on the 1st of January at Highworth Room is cancelled
- The Melksham social group scheduled for the 1st of January will now meet at Melksham Library on the 8th of January between 1pm and 3pm.
- Swindon Pilgrim centre social on the 15 January, 10am to12.30pm come along for refreshments and a friendly chat. There will also be a presentation from Swindon Healthwatch.
Swindon Wiltshire Sight Audio Book Group
If you enjoy listening to books and chatting about them, come along to the Wiltshire Sight Audio Book Group, which meets on the second Tuesday of every month at Swindon Central Library (first floor) from 10.15am to 11.30pm. New members are always welcome. For more information, email Ali at audiobookgroupvolunteer@gmail.com
Leisure and sporting activities
Regular groups
For a list of regular sport, leisure and social groups run by other organisations, visit our Local leisure and social groups webpage.
Cheltenham – Connect: VI Community Gathering with Hook & Loop Collective.
Sat 21 Feb – Pittville Park, Cheltenham
For all ages. Walk together, chat, get creative, enjoy good food!
Hosted by VI artists Holly Thomas & Sarah Goddard
Travel access & sighted guides available.
Email to register interest: Hello@HookAndLoop.org.uk
More info: hookandloop.org.uk/ViConnect/
Gloucester – GRIT Paraclimbing Festival
The GRIT Paraclimbing Festival takes place on Saturday 24 January at the 270 Climbing Centre in Gloucester. This inclusive, family friendly event shows that climbing is for everyone, with activities suitable for both new and experienced climbers. The day includes children’s and adult competitions, opportunities to learn from adaptive climbers, and a blind climbing challenge led by a GB visually impaired athlete.
The event runs from 10am to 5pm. Grit Paraclimbing webpage
Pewsey – Indoor bowls for people with sight loss
Bowls in Pewsey is now indoors for the winter months. Sessions will take place on the second Tuesday of each month at Woodborough Social Club, Smithy Lane, Pewsey, SN9 5PL. 10.30am to 12pm. All equipment will be provided, and no experience is needed. Email : clubsec.pvbc@yahoo.com
Bristol – Invitation to Explore Dance
Hello from Holly and Katy at Half Light Projects
We’re planning new opportunities for blind and visually impaired people in Bristol who are interested in dance classes.
We’d like to know what styles of dance excite you, or those you’ve always wanted to try. EG
Funk / Contemporary / Line dancing / Latin or Ballroom / Street / Céilidh/folk / Anything else!
Your input will help us shape accessible dance sessions. If you’d like to find out more, or share what styles appeal to you, please email: holly@halflightprojects.com
Bristol – VIP Reading Group
Bristol Central Library, College Green
Takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 10.30am till 12pm. Audio books are chosen from RNIB’s talking book service so it’s helpful to sign up before joining. The next books are:
- 29 January – An Instance of the Finger Post by Iain Pears
- 26 February – Leonard and Hungry Paul – Ronan Hessian
- 26 March – Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
- 30 April – Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- 28 May – Diary of an Ordinary woman – Margaret Forster
- 25 June – Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
- 30 July – Saltblood by Francesca Tores
Further information email vibookgroup.bristol@gmail.com or Katharine Seymour, Central Library on 07880 069877
Bristol – Showdown club expression of interest
UK Showdown is exploring starting a club in Bristol. Showdown is a fast-paced sport, similar to table tennis, created for people with a visual impairment but open to everyone.
Watch it in action: YouTube video
If you’d like to take part in a taster session or regular club, register your interest here: forms.office.com/e/wSsDbnZddY
Support groups and courses
Regular groups
You can find details of regular local social and support groups on our website. These include ongoing activities run by other organisations across our region. Visit our Leisure and social groups page
You’ll also find a wide range of online groups and virtual activities on our Online groups and resources page
Online – Glaucoma UK Events
Glaucoma UK has published its programme of Online Support Group meetings for the first few months of 2026. Find out more n the Glaucoma UK website
Online – Fight for Sight research webinars
Fight for Sight is running free webinars. Upcoming 2026 topics include Building mentorship opportunities in vision research on 21 January, and Why a form of vitamin B3 is being tested in glaucoma clinical trials on 21 April.
For details and booking, visit the Fight for Sight website.
Phone Groups – RNIB Living Well with Sight Loss
RNIB is running Living Well with Sight Loss phone groups for adults, as well as family members and others who support them. These four-session groups offer practical information on topics such as benefits, eye health, everyday tips and equipment, hobbies, and organisations that can help. Sessions also provide space to share experiences and learn from others.
Groups run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 to 21 January 2026, or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 13 to 22 January 2026.
To enquire about these courses, please complete the RNIB online webform.
They also have a Focus on Technology phone group starting on the 7th January.
For further information, email lwwslenquiries@rnib.org.uk or phone 0303 123 9999.
Wessex Water offers support for customers who need extra help
This includes:
- help during incidents
- large print or Braille in all communications
- scam prevention passwords
- nominated contacts
- additional meter readings.
Customers can join the Priority Services Register by calling 0345 600 3 600 or visit wessexwater.co.uk/priority-services.
For those struggling to pay, Wessex Water provides options to:
spread payments / reduce bills / repay debt / save water
More details wessexwater.co.uk/help-to-pay or call on 0345 600 3 600.
Swindon – Visual impairment support drop in
A monthly visual impairment support drop in takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month, from 10am to 12pm, at Craven House, 145 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BU. The group offers a chance to chat with others and access information from Swindon Vision Services, Swindon ECLO, RNIB and the Macular Society. Refreshments are provided. Upcoming sessions take place on 22 January, 26 February, 26 March. Contact: Nikki Bullock, Sensory Impairment Specialist, Hearing and Vision Team 01793 465500.
National – Deafblind UK Winter Wellness support
Deafblind UK’s Winter Wellness programme offers extra support through the colder months for anyone with both sight and hearing loss. Running until 27 February 2026, it includes extended phoneline hours, festive phone and video groups, winter befrienders, and uplifting text messages.
Find out more or register by contacting 0800 132320, text 07903 572885, or email info@deafblind.org.uk
Audio described arts and theatre
Galleries and Museums
Bath – Victoria Art Gallery
Bridge Street, BA2 4AT
Art on Mondays talks for VI Visitors
- 26 January – Katharine Wall, Collections Manager – Poster Power
- 9 February 2 – Nathalie Levi, Senior Curator – Upper Gallery Sculpture
- 16 March 2026 – Richard Menuier, Bath Record Office and Anne Buchanan, Local Studies Libraries – Poster Power from the Record Office
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 victoria_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk
Bristol – Arnolfini
16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA
The next described tours are of Emma Talbot: Everything is Energy on:
- Friday 30th January 10am to 11am
Tours take place before the galleries open to the public. Sighted guides are available, and complimentary tea and coffee is served afterwards in the Arnolfini Café Bar. Free event, but email community@arnolfini.org.uk to book a space.
Further information on this link Audio Described Tours | Emma Talbot: Everything is Energy – Arnolfini
Bristol – Royal West of England Academy
Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1PX
Saturday 14 March 10.30–12 noon – Cosmos: The Art of Observing Space. Featuring contemporary and historic artists with wide range of work inspired by the cosmos.
RWA exhibition link To join, please email Connie Ngan connie.ngan@rwa.org.uk and say whether you will bring a sighted companion or need a volunteer guide.
Refreshments available after the tour
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Queen’s Road, BS8 1RL
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition
There will be a described tour on 25 February from 6 – 8.45 pm
Booking information in next month’s newsletter. If you want further details, in the meantime, you can leave a voice mail for the Museum on 0117 922 3571 – and one of their team will get back to you.
Theatres & Performance – Audio Described Shows
Cheltenham – The Everyman Theatre
The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, is delighted to be offering audio described performances for the following shows.
- Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty on Thursday 22 January at 2pm.
- The Beekeeper of Aleppo on Thursday 4 June at 2pm,
Contact Sally-ann if you would like further details, to book the touch tour or tickets, or to receive the season’s brochure: on 01242 695574 sally-ann.rhodes@everymantheatre.org.uk
Please note: you can book directly with The Everyman Theatre or call Insight Gloucestershire for details of any shows we are organising trips for.
Salisbury Playhouse
This year Salisbury Playhouse is presenting Jack and the Beanstalk. Join us in Salisburyshire for a giant musical pantomime! With colourful costumes and songs full of pop, it promises festive delight for all the family.
This classic tale will be sprinkled in Salisbury magic by the writers and designers of last year’s award-winning pantomime, Sleeping Beauty (Best Costume Design, UK Pantomime Association Awards 2025).
Our Audio described performances take place on Wednesday 7th January at 5.30pm. Salisbury Playhouse booking link
Bath – Theatre Royal
Sawclose, BA1 1ET
- 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
- 14 March – Operation Mincemeat
Pre show audio notes sent before show. Hearing devices available from the bars when the house opens – 30 mins before the show. All shows have touch tours. More details and tickets on 01225 448844. Make sure you subscribe to the Theatre’s Access List.
Bristol – Hippodrome
St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ
- 30 April – The Greatest Showman
- 13 June – Matilda the Musical
- 16 July – Rocky Horror Show starring Jason Donovan
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
- 24 January 2026 – Lost Atoms – The play explores how memory affects the way we look at love
- 14 March – Midsummer Night’s Dream
- 14 May – Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical
More details and to book – ring the Box office – 0117 987 7877
Children and young people
Regular groups
You can find information of regular activities on our website – Activities for children, young people and families
Bristol – Free VI fun football sessions
Free McDonald’s VI Fun Football sessions are taking place at Lockleaze Sports Centre in Bristol. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, across January to March, and are designed for children with visual impairment to enjoy football in a supportive environment. Sessions are delivered with British Blind Sport and Bristol Rovers Community Trust. McDonalds sign up link
Bristol – Inclusive gymnastics and trampolining
An inclusive gymnastics and trampolining club is being explored in Bristol. Sessions would be suitable for beginners and experienced participants, focusing on confidence, balance and fun in a supportive environment. Families are invited to register their interest to help shape future sessions.
Inclusive gymnastics and trampolining Bristol form
Applications open for Thomas Pocklington Trust Young Voices 2026–27
Thomas Pocklington Trust is now recruiting for its next YoungVoices cohort. This programme supports blind and partially sighted young people aged 13 to 16 to build confidence, develop leadership skills and contribute to national policy and projects. Participants join a supportive peer community and have opportunities to present at events and collaborate with partner organisations. Applications are open until January 2026.
Find out more or apply: Become a Student Voices or Young Voices Volunteer – Thomas Pocklington Trust
Contact: volunteering@pocklington.org.uk / kate.ohagan@pocklington.org.uk
North Somerset – Free VI junior swimming taster session
VICTA and Swim England are offering a free swimming taster session for children and young people who are blind and partially sighted on Saturday 10 January, hosted by Clevedon Swimming Club. Families in North Somerset are especially encouraged to take part. Full details and the application form can be found at:
VICTA swimming taster session link
National – FA Para Football – England Talent Days
For ages 7–16 with a visual impairment, cerebral palsy, or hearing impairment. First step on the Para Football pathway. Upcoming dates: 1 April 2026 at St George’s Park, DE13 9PD. Register online – https://forms.office.com/e/RqFfguz20V
Parent carer health services survey
Local parent carer forums in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are inviting parents and carers of children and young people with SEND to take part in a health services survey. The survey looks at experiences of accessing health care, including assessments, waiting lists, appointments and communication with professionals. No diagnosis is needed to take part. Feedback will help shape improvements to local health services. The survey takes around 20 minutes and closes on Sunday 18 January. Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DSCRLKC
Take part in research
Have your say on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment
The UK Government is reviewing the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process. RNIB is inviting blind and partially sighted people to share their experiences of the PIP assessment and ideas for how it could be improved. The feedback will help inform RNIB’s campaigning for a fairer system during the review. Find out more and the link to the survey on this RNIB survey webpage
Rare Disease Day 2026 survey – have your say
Genetic Alliance UK is running a survey to inform its Rare Disease Day 2026 campaign, exploring what equity means for people affected by rare conditions. Responses will help shape future resources and campaign messaging. Closing date 6th January 2026. Contact rarediseaseday@geneticalliance.org.uk
Looking for online activities?
We keep a list of virtual groups and events from other organisations on our website. These include social groups, webinars, technology sessions and more, all accessible from home. Visit our Online Resources From Other Organisations webpage