The coronavirus pandemic is a confusing and troubling time for us all. As people across the UK follow government advice to stay at home, many are worried about the impact this could have on some of our more vulnerable members of society who might already be feeling isolated and alone.   It is perhaps an especially challenging time for the 121,000 blind and partially sighted people across Wales. Many rely on regular face-to-face connections with family, friends and key workers…

A young rugby fanatic from Beddau near Llantrisant was able to watch his favourite team, Cardiff Blues, perform in the annual Judgement Day event despite breaking his leg during a training session at his local rugby club recently. Nine year old Osian, who plays for the under 10s team at Beddau Rugby Club, sustained a spiral fracture of his tibia during tackle practice which left him in a full leg cast for nine weeks. Despite being provided with crutches by…

Wales’ largest sight loss charity is making a plea for volunteers for their involvement in HUB Festival in August. HUB Festival takes place over August Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August. The charity is looking for volunteers to give two hours of their time to help raise money to support people with sight loss in Wales, and in exchange they will receive a free weekend wristband! Carol McKinlay, RNIB Cymru’s Fundraising Manager, said: “This is an…

Julie James AM, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, visited RNIB’s head office in Cardiff today to officially launch the Online Today service in Wales. Online Today is a Lottery funded UK-wide project that will support blind and partially sighted people to get online.   A team of digital inclusion officers and volunteers are working with people with sight loss, or who are deaf or hard of hearing, to help them gain confidence in using digital technology in everyday life….

The theme of today’s Wales Vision Strategy conference was “The World Outside”, and focused on what it is like to navigate the world if you have sight loss and what needs to be done ensure people are not cut off from the world.   Key partners and stakeholders had an opportunity to engage with policy influencers and experts from across Wales about the important legislative developments in planning, transport and equality. Information was shared about the cutting edge developments and…

An entrepreneurial former student of The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) has partnered with the College for his new business. The venture is aimed at helping organisations to be more aware of visual impairments and the needs of over two million people in the UK in both work and leisure environments. Daniel Williams studied AS Levels in Sociology and Health and Social Care alongside a BTEC Level 3 diploma in Business Studies at RNC. Following this, he read…

This June we are calling on people to wear an RNIB Sooty Badge to show support for people with sight loss.   Our favourite TV teddy bear has helped RNIB, the UK’s leading sight loss charity, to raise money since the 1960’s and during June, for the first time ever, specially made Sooty badges will be available.   But we need volunteers to help at our UK-wide RNIB Sooty Badge collections. Can you spare some time? Visit rnib.org.uk/volunteering, email [email protected]…

Wales’ largest sight loss charity is making a plea for volunteers in Wales.  The charity is looking for volunteers to support local blind and partially sighted people to be digitally connected and enjoy the benefits of being online.  This includes devices such as tablets, e-readers and smart phones.  Helping people to get online can open up a whole new world and increase independence. Sharon Jones, RNIB Cymru’s Volunteering Development Advisor, said: “We’re going to make everyday digital skills available to…