National Blind Children’s Society (NBCS) and Guide Dogs have officially joined forces to improve the services available for children and young people with sight loss.

From April 29, NBCS became a subsidiary of Guide Dogs. The two charities had already been working together, combining expertise to deliver the successful Movement Matters programme to support parents of children who are blind or partially sighted.

This programme led us to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2012. Since then we have grown closer together and this development is a result of our closely shared vision for children and young people.

The move ensures that the many thousands of blind and partially sighted children and their families in the UK who get no support today w... ]]>Thu, 02 May 2013 10:34:22 GMTA free one-day workshop, Easy on the Eye, is being held in Liverpool for older children and young people with visual impairment, and their parents, carers and teachers.

Deborah Gilden PhD, from the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco, USA, will be presenting the workshop assisted by Damijan Goljat BSc, IT Manager at vision4children which is based at the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm on Friday 2 August at Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD. Topics covered include using Microsoft Office applications and Windows and internet access. Computers will be provided.

For more information go to http://goo.gl/iJtbo or visit www.vision4children.org.uk to register, email jenny@vision4children.org.uk or telephone 0151 252 5137.

Paula Hall, Academic Administration at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) College in Canterbury, put her winning business card into a prize draw at the NBCS stand and was selected at random at the end of the three-day show.

Paula is pictured trying to work out how to get her massive mutt home!

Preston’s ‘Soft Play Area within a Controllable Environment’ (SPACE) is the largest multi-sensory room in the UK. 

It is available exclusively to NBCS on various Sundays from 11.30am to 12.30pm throughout the year for families of children with visual impairment, including any sighted brothers and sisters.

Come and join us, at no charge, for safe, soft play and the chance to socialise with other families, using the special equipment, a slide, ball pool, hammock, bubble tubes, water bed and lots of interactive tactile toys all within a specialist lighting environment.

Dates for 2013

April 14
May 26
August 11
September 22
November 10
December 15

To reserve your place contact Sally Freeman on:

Tel: 01278 764 775
Mob: 07854 331979
Email: sally.freeman@nbcs.org.uk

At the age of only 15, and in spite of being visually impaired from birth, Johnathon Swann has won a prestigious magazine photography competition.

Johnathon, who lives in Fareham, Hampshire, was chosen as winner of the David Rose-Massom Young Photographer of the Year 2012 in the Southampton-based Solent Life magazine before the judges knew about his eye condition.

The competition’s sponsor, David Rose-Massom, said: ‘Johnathon has been selected as our winner not only because of his obvious photographic talents but also as he seemed an apt recipient in a year when he has achieved so much in the face of hardship.

‘Despite being visually impaired Johnathan continues to practise his love of photography and his camera helps him visually as he ... ]]>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:46:50 GMTThe National Blind Children’s Society Board of Trustees has appointed a new chairman and vice-chairman to lead the charity forward.
Taking over as chairman is Frank Clegg, a long-standing trustee and supporter of NBCS. Frank had a distinguished career as National Operations Manger for ITT World Directories, and since retiring has served on several charitable and community-based organisations as well as being a magistrate for several years. He has been chairman of various panels within the Sedgemoor Bench, including the Appraisal Panel and the Magistrates in the Community Committee. He was elected Bench Chairman in 2009 until he retired.
Frank said: ‘I am honoured to be appointed as Chairman of NBCS. The charity is going forward with confidence that it will be much stronger and in a position to strengthen and improve its support services for children and young people. I believe that the future will bring many opportunities to build on the past success of the soc... ]]>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:22:09 GMT
Following the success of last year’s spectacular fundraising day at the world-famous Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales, the National Blind Children’s Society is hosting another day out for golf-lovers on Friday 13 September 2013.

Teams of golfers will once again convene at the Montgomerie course at Celtic Manor, which hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup near Newport in South Wales.

As well as enjoying the golf, taking the opportunity to network in style and making the most of a day at one of the most prestigious and beautiful courses in the world, players will compete for the Warwick Pugh Memorial Shield, as well as several other prizes for competitions including an 18-hole Stableford, putting, nearest the pin, putting, the longest drive and a par 3 challenge.Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:59:53 GMTFollowing the success of our Family Guide Dog Experience Days over the last couple of years, the National Blind Children’s Society would once again like to invite children with a visual impairment and their immediate families to attend a Family Guide Dogs Experience Day in Atherton, Manchester, on Wednesday 14 August 2013. This will be a day when the whole family can experience what it could be like to own a guide dog at some point in the future.

The day includes welcome introductions by both NBCS and Guide Dogs, a tour of the training center including demonstrations, a practical hands-on guide dog experience for all the family and a question and answer session.

Refreshments are provided for everyone and it will be a fun and informative experience for all the family. We will hold two sessions: in the morning from 10.30am to 1pm and afternoon 2pm to 4.30pm. We can take five families to each session.

We will also be holding Family Guide Dog Experience... ]]>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:30:46 GMTMy girlfriend Sara will be my main carer for the week and we will both be publishing daily blogs to give people a better understanding of the challenges these children face and also from the perspective of people who give up their time to help these children daily.
I will be taking on as many tasks as possible including going shopping, finding suitable entertainment and remaining active within the community.
Any donation you can manage will be hugely appreciated and will help to continue all the great things the staff and volunteers at NBCS do. ]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:47:40 GMTThe National Blind Children’s Society is delighted to announce a visit to Alton Towers Resort for children with a visual impairment and their families. We are thrilled to have been awarded 150 tickets from Merlin’s Magic Wand and are organising a group visit on Wednesday 21 August 2013.

These tickets come with strict conditions:

1. Families should live in the West Midlands, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire or Cheshire.

2. Tickets will only to given to children with a visual impairment aged 18 years and under who have never benefited from a trip through Merlin’s Magic Wand.

3. Completed applications should be sent to NBCS with proof of your child’s visual impairment, which we have to pass on to Merlin’s Magic Wand. (They will only use this information for the purpose of accessing our application.)

If you fit the above criteria this will be a chance for families to have lots of fu... ]]>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:33:54 GMT


NBCS is fortunate to have 20 tickets for an audio-described matinee performance of The Lion King on Sunday 22 September 2013 at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TB.

These are excellent seats in Rows G and H of the stalls and we would like to invite ten young people with a visual impairment aged 7+ to attend, accompanied by one parent/guardian. The child with a visual impairment goes free and there is a £10 charge for the accompanying parent/guardian (normal ticket price is £60).

We will meet at the theatre at 12.30pm for the touch tour, after which we will have a hospitality room available for the duration to enable everyone to meet, chat and enjoy the refreshments provided (bring some lunch with you as well). The day w... ]]>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:31:12 GMTFri, 18 Jan 2013 14:40:58 GMT
We are pleased to announce that former National Blind Children’s Society Chairman of Trustees Brian Bell has agreed to become a Vice-President of the charity, with immediate effect.

A former corporate banker in London for 18 years, Brian then filled a similar post with a Swiss financial institution based in Geneva. He returned to the UK after taking early retirement.


Brian’s business connections in the UK led to his taking the role of Chief Executive, following a management buy-out, of a major Bristol-based office equipment and supplies retailer which he subsequently sold on.

As Chairman of the Board of Trustees since August 2006, Brian’s banking and financial experience, together with his business acumen, has been extremel... ]]>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:12:43 GMTThe National Blind Children’s Society will be holding its annual Golf Day at the fabulous Celtic Manor Resort, Montgomerie Course, on Friday 13 September 2013.

The venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup, the Celtic Manor Resort offers some of the finest golf courses and facilities in the UK. If you love golf then do consider coming to join us!

This fun-filled day includes:

Bacon roll and hot drink on arrival
18 hole stableford competition (shotgun start)
Putting competition
Nearest the pin
Par 3 challenge
Longest drive
Prize-giving
Raffle
Auction
Three-course evening meal
Refreshments at the Halfway House

A four player team entry including a buggy is £400.

We also have a wide range of sponsorship opportunities for the day ranging from £50 to £3000.
This is one of our main fundraising events for 2013 and we would love to hear from you if you or your company are interested in j... ]]>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:24:57 GMTThe Government has laid the final assessment criteria for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Parliament. Below is the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) response to the announcement.

Personal Independence Payment: final assessment criteria

Introduction
The final assessment criteria for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) were laid in Parliament on 13 December 2012. There will be a debate and vote on the criteria, expected in January, but Parliament cannot amend the criteria and it is highly likely this is the final version.

Significant improvements for blind and partially sighted people
Following the VI sector campaign led by RNIB which has seen thousands of blind and partially sighted people lobby their MP, the final criteria have some very significant improvements. However, as the guidance that assessors will use to interpret the regulations and details of how assessments will be carried out are not yet known, we ... ]]>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:06:41 GMTEdward Timpson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, has written to Christine Lenehan, Director of the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), responding to concerns from the CDC (among others) about the Government’s proposed reforms to provision for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs (SEN), as set out in the SEN Green Paper.

His letter makes explicit the Government’s commitment to ensuring that protections parents have in the current system will be carried forward in to the new one.

In his letter Mr Timpson lists points in the new Bill that will focus on firmly establishing parents’ rights to request a statutory assessment, as well as ensuring that others like a GP or health visitor can also make a request. Regulations and a new code of practice will be set out.

Full text of Mr T... ]]>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:25:08 GMT
14-year-old Tiri Hughes, of Devon, has achieved a sporting breakthrough.

After being nominated by the South Devon School of Gymnastics she has been named Disability Personality of the Year in the 2012 annual Torbay Sports Awards.

Her mum Laura said: ‘Tiri has worked her socks off this last 18 months in gym and swimming and deserves this award 100 per cent.

‘I am so proud of her!’

Tiri is the first female athlete to win this award, and the first of all with a sight impairment.

Giveacar is a UK based fundraising organisation that specialises in donating unwanted and scrap cars to charitable causes throughout the world, like National Blind Children's Society.

They provide a FREE service which is available throughout the UK, and can work with you hand-in-hand in the following ways:

They can arrange the collection of the vehicle

Depending on its age and condition, they can either send it for environmentally safe disposal and recycling at an Authorised Treatment Facility, or to a salvage auction.

This means that a large portion of the proceeds are donated to a nominated charity of the ... ]]>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:41:34 GMT
Do you need ideas for gifts?

Why not buy one of our cuddly soft toys through ebay with all the proceeds going to NBCS.

You will also have time to explore the ruins at Machu Picchu, the ‘lost City of the Incas’. These breathtaking pre Columbian ruins are nestled high in the Andes between two peaks. The ruins were rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham and are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world.<... ]]>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:00:13 GMTFundraising challenges include treks to exotic destinations such as Machu Picchu or the Great Wall of China, sky-diving and parachuting, mountain-climbing and walks from Land’s End to John o’Groats.

If running is something you have done for years or are considering starting, why not run on behalf of NBCS?
We have a limited number of places available in the Virgin London Marathon, the UK’s largest fundraising event. These are taken very quickly so please register your interest as soon as possible.

Other marathons and half-marathons take place across the UK and abroad. If you are planning to take part please consider raising money for NBCS at the same time. we can supply you with running vests, sponsorship forms and other promotional materials.

Self Funder – Deposit £65 + Balance £449 (includes £100 donation to charity)

Minimum Sponsorship – Deposit £65 + Min Sponsorship £775<... ]]>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:55:33 GMTYour London to Paris cycling challenge will see you cycling 234 miles (377kms) over 3 days and through 2 countries. 

Your challenge begins in the leafy suburbs of West London where you will meet the rest of your group and navigate your way out of Greater London through the English countryside to the South coast. You will head towards Hampton Court and then off on relatively traffic free, small country roads, negotiating the North and South Downs to Portsmouth. You then board an overnight ferry to Caen, snuggling into your berth for the night for a restful sleep following a long first day and a great cycling experience.

Your second day will see you continue your exciting journey past pretty French hamlets and through the beautiful French countryside until you reach the town of Evreux.

The penu... ]]>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:42:57 GMTThis may only be a short challenge, but it's still tough and offers all the rewards of achievement! Take part in a beautiful trek raise funds and awareness for NBCS, without having to take lots of time off work.

Hadrian’s Wall originally ran from coast to coast and spanned 72 miles. Today there are only sections of this left, which cuts though the beautiful Northumberland National Park.

Starting at Lanercost Priory, you trek for 25 miles alongside the only remaining sections of the wall, admiring ancient monuments, beautiful scenery and the skill of the Roman engineers who built this famous landmark, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Self Funder – Deposit £59 + Balance £200

Minimum Sponsorship – Deposit £59 + Min Sponsorship £500

Fo... ]]>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:42:33 GMTTake up our 100km challenge
The London to Brighton Challenge is a tough but rewarding one. To walk, jog or run the 100km from city to coast – across varied terrain, day and night – is a challenge like no other. Some will attempt it as an ultra-marathon-style run with an eye on the clock, many will take the longest walk of their lives and others will mix it up with a bit of a jogging and walking.

To succeed requires good preparation, the ability to dig deep and to absorb the camaraderie to get you to the finish line in Brighton.
The London to Brighton Challenge is an experience you will never forget.

For more information and to sign up to th... ]]>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:06:07 GMTNBCS were delighted to hold our second Family Guide Dog Experience Day in conjunction with Guide Dogs for the Blind at the GD Redbridge Training Centre, near London.

Carolyn was followed by ‘Blind’ Dave Heeley, the man who did 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. Dav... ]]>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:31:30 GMTThu, 11 Oct 2012 15:25:29 GMTMon, 08 Apr 2013 15:02:27 GMTBelow are contact details of other organisations which provide information about the statutory education process for children and young people with special educational needs.

IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Educational Advice)

SOS!SEN (The Independent Helpline for Special Educational Needs) 

Deciding where to study can be as important as deciding what to study for anyone going to university. Will your child go to a university close to home or will they move away to a new town or city? Will they live at home, or move into student halls of residence or a shared house or flat. Finding out as much as possible about the university and the area before they go will be helpful such as finding out where the halls of residences are, where the lectures will be held, where the students union and health centre is, and what student support services they have.

Every college and university will have its own website and prospectus... ]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:36:04 GMTThe Education and Skills Act 2008 increased the minimum age at which young people in England can leave learning. This requires them to continue in education or training to the age of 17 from 2013 and to 18 from 2015.

Young people must choose to:

• stay in full-time education
• undertake work-based learning such as an Apprenticeship
• follow part-time education or training if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours per week.

However, when your child leaves school and moves onto college or training their Statement of SEN will not be maintained by the Local Authority and... ]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:31:56 GMTIf your child has a statement of special educational needs, this must be reviewed at least annually in order to ensure that it is still correct or whether it needs amending.

• Collect all the information on possible schools
• Visit the schools and talk to the head teacher and, if possible, the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
• Talk to your local authority

Ask for help - never assume that support will be automatic

Children with special needs attend a mainstream school provided that:

• Parents' views are considered
• The child's needs can be met
• It is an efficient use of resources and there are sufficient resources to meet the child's needs
• The education of other children in the class will not be disrupted

You may be unhappy with the support that your child is receiving in a mainstream or private school and may be considering a specialis... ]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:18:47 GMTYour child has a visual impairment if their visual difficulties are not correctable by spectacles or contact lenses.

Your child may or may not be registered as either ‘sight impaired’ (previously known as ‘partially sighted’) or ‘severely sight impaired’ (previously known as ‘blind’).

The term ‘special educational needs’ (SEN) has a legal definition. Children with special educational needs all have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. Children with SEN may need extra or different help from that given to other children of the same age.

Government benefits and allowances are changing all the time. While we try to keep the information on our website as up-to-date at possible, please always check Directgov’s web pages for the latest news on benefits and allowances.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for over 16s

If you already receive DLA for your child, it will usually ... ]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:06:20 GMTThe Equality Act came into force in 2010 and replaces major parts of the Disability Discrimination Act.

The Equality Act 2010 states that all education providers and employers are not allowed to discriminate against people because of their age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. They must make reasonable adjustments, provide support and make things accessible for people with disabilities including those with a sight impairment.

The Equality Act does not apply to education in Northern Ireland as it is instead covered by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (SENDO).

For more information on SENDO 

Examples of reasonable adjustments in education 

Students who are blind or partially sighted can have particular difficulties accessing print or other materi... ]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:00:06 GMTWhen your child reaches the age of 16 and has completed Year 11, there are several choices to be made as they move into adulthood. Leaving school is an important time for any teenager and their family but for parents of children with visual impairment there can be many additional complications and obstacles to overcome during this time. In this section, dedicated to parents of young people aged 16 and over, we outline some of the things you need to think about in order to help you start to make plans for their future.

Please see our Education section if you would like more information on transition planning and moving on to college or university.

If your child chooses not to remain in school, college or university, the following options are also available to them:

Guest speakers include Welsh rugby star Roy Bergiers and MSP Iain Gray.

The dinner will have an autumnal theme and will be held at the Holiday Inns in Regent’s Park, London.

Starting with a drinks reception, guests will enjoy a delicious evening meal accompanied by wine and soft drinks in a beautiful setting. There will be hosts and guest speakers, raffles and auction prizes. Guests will have the opportunity to hear from a number of after-dinner speakers including a senior politician, and international sportsman and a journalist, and everyone can take part in a cross-border auction.

London:
Host: Henry Bennett, RP Fighting Blindness Trustee and Treasurer
Speaker: TBC

RP Fighting Blindness is a key provider of funding for retinitis pigmentosa research. All of its funding comes from members, don... ]]>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:32:50 GMTBe part of a winning team

It’s the perfect morning, the sun is gently shining through the trees forming branches of light leading you towards what could be one of the greatest days of your life. 
You have been preparing for this, months of training, pounding the street come rain or shine for this moment, for this race. But stop, take some time and reflect, today you are changing lives. Every time your feet hit the deck you’re striding towards improving a child’s life.