Social and peer groups

Going out, doing new things, spending time with friends. There aren’t many things that are better than these things.

So RLSB has set up a number of social and peer groups in London so that people can do just this, with the support of facilitators and sighted guides. There is always room for anyone who wants to join. Find out where your nearest group is and how to join below.

How can I join?

Call, text or email the staff member for the relevant group, all of which are listed below. A Community Support Worker will then arrange a time to meet with you (and a parent/carer or family member if required) to give you more information about what to expect, address any concerns or worries and tell you what activities you can start enjoying!  If you don’t see a group that meets your particular interests or needs, please give us a call to see what new activities are in the pipeline!

The Bridge Project

Do you live in South London? Want to make friends, do something new, see something different? Then join The Bridge Project, RLSB’s newest social & peer group for 16-25s! The fortnightly group with an arts and culture twist is a great opportunity to enjoy fun outings and events, and build your skill set, helping your confidence to grow, so you can go out into your local community to meet new people and visit new places. Contact our project leader Kirsty on: 020 7808 6111 or email kirsty.palmer@rlsb.org.uk

Greenwich

RLSB has teamed up with Blind Independence Greenwich to run a number of services including a social and peer group, for adults aged over 18. The group meets twice a month on a Tuesday. Contact Kirsty on: 020 7808 6111 or email kirsty.palmer@rlsb.org.uk

We also run a group for young people aged 11-19 across London, which meets regularly at The Forum in Greenwich. Contact: Natalie Johnson on Natalie.johnson@rlsb.org.uk or call 0780 965 6998 or 020 7808 6191

Waltham Forest

We have a new social and peer group in Waltham Forest for visually impaired young people aged 16-25. The group meets up regularly and you’ll have the chance to go on various trips and outings as well as take part in sports activities such as cricket and football and other activities such as dancing and rock climbling. Our Waltham Forest social and peer group is a great way to make new friends, so if you interested in joining up or find out more, please contact Katy Postlethwaite on 020 7901 1575, 07887714643 or katy.postlethwaite@rlsb.org.uk.

Lewisham

The Lewisham group meets regularly on Saturdays, once a month. The group welcomes 11-19 year olds. Contact: Gillian Goodchild gillian.goodchild@rlsb.org.uk or 07809 656 996 or 0207 9011575.

Tower Hamlets

A wide diversity of members make up this well established group for visually impaired people over 25. The group meets twice-monthly at Albert Jacobs House, 62 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0PG. Contact Matt Nash: Matthew.Nash@rlsb.org.uk or 07833 732277 or 0207 901 157.

Come and take part in debates, exclusive Q&As with guest speakers. On the third Thursday the group usually heads to a venue of interest in central London. Previous visits have included the National Portrait Gallery, the O2 Centre and the RNIB Resource Centre.

We also run a group in Tower Hamlets for young adults aged 18-35. The group meets twice a month. Contact Matt Nash: Matthew.Nash@rlsb.org.uk or 07833 732277 or 0207 901 1571.

Visionary Placements

Our Visionary Placements project supports blind and partially sighted people seeking full and part-time employment. We provide guidance on how to apply for jobs and provide one-to-one group work on how to sell yourself effectively to employers. We also help with finding work placements, provide assistance for building CVs and provide training in ESOL, literacy and numeracy. Our sessions are free and are held every Tuesday and Friday.

Tuesdays:

Toynebee Hall, 28 Commerical Street, London E1 6LS, 10am-4pm

Fridays:

Idea Store, Poplar Chrisp Street, London E14 6BT, 10am-4.30pm

For more information, contact Amardeep Tokhi on 020 7808 6170 or amardeep.tokhi@rlsb.org.uk.

Short breaks and holidays

RLSB offers free five-day residential breaks to families with blind and partially sighted children. Find out more.

Independent skills

We also offer workshops in self development and cookery and have a basic skills programme which helps people with visual impairments develop their skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT. Get in touch to find out more.