Wiltshire Sight 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. Wiltshire Sight Whats On May 2025 (DOCX, 100 KB)
Wiltshire Sight 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, Sight Support West of England, or Insight Gloucestershire.
To book, call 01380 723682 or email info@wiltshiresight.org
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 month at 7 pm.
Young Adults Group (18–30): Fortnightly, Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Would you like to join? Contact us – 01380 723682 / info@wiltshiresight.org
Digital Inclusion Project
We are about to launch our exciting digital inclusion project in Wiltshire and are looking for Technology Support Volunteers to join us in our mission to ensure that everyone has equal access to the digital world and all its benefits.
We will be running one-to-one tech sessions at our advice hubs across Wiltshire and Swindon, as well as offering standalone four-week training courses.
If you are comfortable navigating your way around a smartphone, smart speaker or tablet and willing to learn about all the different accessibility features and apps available and have the patience and empathy to share your knowledge with others, we’d love to hear from you!
For further information, contact Becs, our Volunteer Coordinator, on 07849 833 047, volunteering@wiltshiresight.org
Wiltshire Sight 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) or by calling us on 01380 723682.
Changes To Note for Upcoming Hubs
- Swindon Audiobook Reading group will now be meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Swindon Central Library. On Tuesday 13th May we will be discussing “The Disappearance of Adele Bedeau” by Graeme Macrae Burnet 10.15 – 11.30 First floor Swindon Central Library, Regent Street. Dates for future Audiobook sessions in 2025 are: 10 June, 8 July, 12 August, 9 Sept, 14th Oct, 11 Nov and 9 Dec.
- No Highworth Hub in May. Next Highworth hub on Thursday 5 June, Highworth Library 10.15 – 12.15. After this it will continue to run on the 1st Thursday of every month.
- No RWB Hub in May. Next RWB Hub on Thursday 12 June, Royal Wootton Bassett Library, 10.15 – 12.15. After this it will continue to run on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
Events & Notices From Other Organisations
The Salisbury & District Talking Newspaper
The Salisbury & District Talking Newspaper provides blind and visually impaired people across Salisbury and South Wiltshire with free weekly recordings of local news and stories. Featuring highlights from the Salisbury Journal, it is delivered on a USB memory stick, along with a player if needed.
To find out more or to sign up, contact 01722 327821 or email their Secretary at shirleyled15@gmail.com
Local Leisure and Sporting Activities / Events
Salisbury Museum – A Touch of Frink
Salisbury Museum is offering a free creative course for visually impaired people, inspired by the artwork of Elisabeth Frink. Join artist Miles Bodimeade to explore the Frink exhibition through a touch tour and create your own sculptures.
The six-week course runs every Wednesday from 11 June to 16 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm, at Salisbury Museum (The King’s House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN).
Booking is essential. No artistic experience is needed and the venue is fully accessible.
To book, contact Bridget Telfer at bridgettelfer@salisburymuseum.org.uk or call 01722 332151.
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
Fitness and Friendship Clubs – Age UK Wiltshire
Friendly, sight-loss aware sessions for older adults, offering gentle chair-based exercise, social time with tea and biscuits, and relaxing tai chi. First session is free, £5 after (some locations free). Clubs run in Swindon, Salisbury, Chippenham, and Devizes. For accessibility support, contact your Community Sight Loss Advisor.
More info: Tracey – 07754 612 569 or fitnessandfriendship@ageukwiltshire.org.uk
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 Chat group
Last Tuesday of the month 5.15pm
Contact communityconnectionsouthwest@rnib.org.uk
Swindon Bats Sports & Social Club
Swindon Bats have a fantastic variety of groups and events taking place including Ten Pin Bowling, Showdown, Coffee & Chat, Walk and Talk and more. Contact them at: info@swindonbats.org or call their Secretary Sue Mead on 07788150487. You can check their website for details of all their upcoming events and groups
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
Devizes PHAB meetings and events
(Physically disabled and Able bodied) an organisation which brings people with and without disabilities together. See their program of events on their website (linked above).
Support Groups and Courses
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).
Local Audio Described Arts Events
Salisbury Playhouse
Wiltshire Creative audio described performances – May:
- 1st May – The Da Vinci Code – 2.15pm and 7.30pm
Join Professor Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu on a thrilling race across Europe to solve hidden clues in da Vinci’s artwork in this fast-paced adaptation of Dan Brown’s bestseller. - 15th May – The Croft – 2.15pm and 7.30pm
In a remote Highland village, two women uncover dark secrets hidden in a deserted Crofter’s hut. A bold and haunting play where the past and present collide.
Book tickets and touch tours via the Wiltshire Creative Accessible Performances webpage, call 01722 320333 or visit the Playhouse Box Office (Malthouse Ln, Salisbury, SP2 7RA).