Wiltshire Sight What’s On E-Newsletter for February 2025
Find out about local notices, groups and events that are accessible to anyone living with sight loss.
Welcome to your monthly update of accessible services and events in Wiltshire and Swindon, covering February 2025.
If you are interested in What’s On e-newsletters from our partner charities Sight Support West of England and Insight Gloucestershire, as well as our Children and Young People What’s On e-newsletter, you can find links to them on our 2025 What’s On E-Newsletter webpage
Wiltshire Sight Events and Notices
Connect Online with Virtual Hubs
Our Virtual Hubs provide a welcoming space for those living with sight loss to connect, share experiences and have a chat. Open to anyone affected by sight loss, these online groups are hosted on Microsoft Teams with training available for newcomers.
Groups Available:
- Parent Support Group: Fortnightly on Thursdays at 7:30 pm.
- University Students Group: Fortnightly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
- Working Age Group (25–65): Third Thursday of each month at 7 pm.
- Young Adults Group (18–30): Start date to be confirmed.
Contact us to sign up!
Eye Can Salisbury
We are excited to announce Eye Can Salisbury! It will be held on Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 10 am–3 pm at Salisbury Guildhall. The exhibitors will have the latest in technology and equipment on display and you will find local and national organisations offering services for blind and partially sighted individuals. Talks will also be held throughout the day. To pre-register either call us or you can book on Eventbrite: Eye Can Salisbury 2025.
Wiltshire Sight Hubs and Social Groups
Our sight loss advice hubs provide a local space for consultations with your advisor, offering information, guidance, and advice on equipment and technology. You can explore a selection of helpful aids and discover how technology can help you. Additionally, most 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 01380 723682. Click here for our website 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
- Stuart Ling from Humanware is coming to the Amesbury Social Group on Thursday 13th February 2025 from 10.30-12.30 in Amesbury Library to demonstrate the Humanware Resources.
- Warm and Safe Wiltshire are attending the Salisbury social group on Wednesday 19th February from 10.30-12.30 in Salisbury Library.
Events & Notices From Other Organisations
Guide Dogs’ Policy and Campaigns Advisory Board
Guide Dogs is seeking passionate individuals with lived experience of sight loss to join their new England Policy and Campaigns Advisory Board. Members will provide invaluable insights, sharing perspectives on vision impairment and contributing to campaigns that champion accessibility, safety, and equality for people with sight loss.
The role involves quarterly meetings (approximately three hours each) and no prior experience with Guide Dogs services or campaigning is required. Applicants must be 18 or over, live in England, and be enthusiastic about advocating for the rights of vision-impaired individuals.
For more details, contact livedexperience@guidedogs.org.uk
Cakes, Care and Connection
St Thomas Church, Salisbury, SP1 1BA
- Tuesday 4th March 11am to 2:30pm
Join this disability dedicated ayre in the heart of the city for a one stop shop of advice and information and quite a lot of cake.
Come and meet a range of local disability organisations in and around Salisbury. Find our more and become a member of the Disability Interest Group Salisbury. Contact Karen Linakar on 01722 424697 / karen.linaker@wiltshire.gov.uk
Local Leisure and Sporting Activities / Events
Westlecot Indoor Bowling sessions
Still time for a New Year’s resolution of a new hobby!
VI Bowling sessions at Westlecot Bowls Club, Bowling green lane Swindon SN1 4EU. Nearest bus route: 22 – Stop Springfield Road.
Tuesday 4th February 12 – 2pm – meet at 11:45
Tuesday 25th February 12 – 2pm – meet at 11:45
We meet at 11.45 in order to change shoes and select bowls.
Play from 12 for a hour then have a refreshments break. Return to bowl until 2pm. The cost is £5 which includes £3.50 rink fees and refreshments.
No need to book, turn up on the day.
Track Day Opportunities at Llandow Circuit
Llandow Circuit in the Vale of Glamorgan offers accessible driving experiences for individuals of all abilities, including those with sight loss. Speed of Sight provides the opportunity to drive custom-built, dual-controlled cars on this well-known track.
Places are still available for the 3rd and 4th of June.
For more details or to book, visit Speed of Sight’s website or contact them at info@speedofsight.org.
Wiltshire Sight – Swindon Audiobook Reading group
Monday 3rd February 2025 10:00am – 11:30am
Swindon Central Library, Regent Circus, Swindon, SN1 1QG
Salisbury Museum would like to create resources for visually impaired people
Following the opening of their new galleries in July 2024, they would like to work with a group of visually impaired people to devise audio described tours and object handling. Are you interested in history and making museums more accessible? If so they would love to hear from you! The work will take place during 2025 and participants will need to be able to attend workshops at Salisbury Museum – all expenses will be covered. Please contact Bridget Telfer, the Community Curator, for more information:
Email: bridgettelfer@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Telephone: 01722 332151
Join Age UK Wiltshire’s Fitness and Friendship Clubs
Age UK Wiltshire’s Fitness and Friendship Clubs provide a welcoming space for older adults to enjoy gentle exercise, socialise, and relax. Sessions are sight-loss friendly, and Community Sight Loss Advisors can help with accessibility by calling ahead (let us know if this would be helpful).
What to Expect:
- 45 minutes of chair-based exercises with bands and balls
- 30-minute break with tea and biscuits
- 45 minutes of meditation and tai chi
Details:
- Cost: £5 per session (first session free; some locations are free)
- No booking required; contact the trainer for accessibility needs
Locations: Clubs run across Wiltshire, including Swindon, Salisbury, Chippenham, and Devizes. Visit Age UK Wiltshire’s website for full details.
Contact Tracey: 07754 612 569 | fitnessandfriendship@ageukwiltshire.org.uk
All Abilities Bowls Wiltshire
Join All Abilities Bowls Wiltshire, where you’ll receive guaranteed, top-quality coaching from day one! Our internationally qualified coaches are dedicated to helping players of all abilities improve their game. With adaptive equipment, expert guidance, and a welcoming community, everyone can enjoy this inclusive sport. Join us Saturdays, 10 am to 12 pm, at Swindon Manor Indoor Bowls Club. Equipment provided—just bring flat-soled shoes. Contact Richard Ball at 07703893166 or email richardb290@gmail.com for details.
Swindon Blind Craft Club
Swindon Blind Craft Club meets every Tuesday between 10 am and 1 pm and is run by Lou Curtis at Swindon Blind Association, Craven House, 145 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BU. Parking available and bus stop opposite. Bring your own lunch. Carers welcome.
You can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including creating baskets, painting, and tile decoration! Get in touch with Lou if you want to come along and find out more: 07703 306 403.
Swindon Bats Sports & Social Club
Swindon Bats have a variety of groups:
Contact them at: info@swindonbats.org or call their Secretary Sue Mead on 07788150487
Swindon Bats Monday Club
Takes place at Craven House, Swindon on the 2nd Monday of the month from 1pm-3pm a chance for you to meet and socialise with other VIPs. This month they will be learning about and having a go at VIP Chess!
Swindon Bats Weekly Tenpin Bowling
Meets at Tenpin West Swindon:
Wednesdays-12:15pm-2:30pm
Mondays- 18:45pm-21:00pm
Bowls Club in Chippenham
The Bowls Club in Chippenham are running a weekly indoor bowls club for people with sight loss and other disabilities. Taking place at North Wilts Bowls Club in Chippenham (near Sainsburys) each Friday 4-5pm, September – Easter. Coaching is given. The contact for this club is Maureen on 01249 657228.
Devizes PHAB Group
(Physically disabled and Able bodied) an organisation which brings people with and without disabilities together. See their program of events at Devizes PHAB meetings and events
Support Groups and Courses
Living Well with Sight Loss Phone Group
Living Well With Sight Loss – February
Session 1: Monday 3rd February
Session 2: Wednesday 5th February
Session 3: Monday 10th February
Session 4: Wednesday 12th February
Times 11am
Money Matters Focus Group
Session 1: Tuesday 4th February
Session 2: Thursday 6th February
Session 3: Tuesday 11th February
Session 4: Thursday 13th February.
Times: 11am
Email: communityconnectionsouthwest@rnib.org.uk
Call Trish Sail 07843 979975 / George Hinton 07711 188292 / Bernice Cocking 07761 328571
Deafblind UK Talk Tech webinar
Deafblind UK has scheduled some more free ‘Talk Tech’ webinars, intended to provide practical tech advice to people with sight and hearing loss. Details are:
Thursday 20th February – Find out about RealSAM voice-controlled smartphones for people who are blind, visually impaired, or who would simply find it easier to operate technology by voice.
Thursday 17th April – A demonstration of VisionAid’s most interesting products.
You can find out more and book a place DeafBlind UK Website
Swindon Chat group
Last Tuesday of the month 5.15pm
Contact communityconnectionsouthwest@rnib.org.uk
RNIB Swindon Chat group
Fourth Thursday in the month from 10am to 12 noon.
General chat with advice from ECLO / ROVI at Craven House, Swindon. Contact: Bernice Cocking
Bernice.Cocking@rnib.org.uk 07761 328571
Local Audio Described Arts Events
Salisbury Playhouse
Malthouse Ln, Salisbury, SP2 7RA
Wiltshire Creative’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Panto
Audio described performances:
- The 39 Steps – Thursday March 6th at 2.15 and 7.30pm.
Experience the hilarity and suspense of The 39 Steps, Patrick Barlow’s award-winning stage adaptation of Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller. Four actors play over 150 characters in this fast-paced comedy full of daring antics, romance, and mystery. A whirlwind adventure not to be missed!
There will be touch tours for both shows. Tickets can be booked online at Wiltshire Creative Accessible Performances webpage , by phone on 01722 320333 or in person at The Playhouse.
Please remember to book your Touch Tour as well as your tickets. Touch tours are free but do need to be booked!
The What’s On E-newsletter as a Word Document:
Click the link below to download the above newsletter as a Word document: