Insight Gloucestershire What’s On E-Newsletter for April 2025
Find out about local notices, groups and events that are accessible to anyone living with sight loss.
Monthly What’s On Guide
Welcome to your monthly update of accessible services and events in Gloucestershire covering April 2025.
If you are interested in What’s On e-newsletters from our partner charities Wiltshire Sight and Sight Support West Of England, 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
Insight Gloucestershire Events and Notices
Visit us at Nailsworth Town Meeting – 5 April
Come along to the Nailsworth Town Meeting on Saturday 5 April, from 10:30am to 12:30pm in the Town Square (near the bus station). Insight Gloucestershire will be there with a Community Sight Loss Advisor who will be available to offer information and advice to anyone affected by sight loss.
The event features local community groups, displays, and a chance to speak with the Town Council. The Mayor will present the Annual Town Awards, with live music from Nailsworth Silver Band. Covered stalls and refreshments will be available (weather permitting).
Could our Moving Forward Course help you or someone you know?
Our upcoming Moving Forward Course is designed to help people adjust to life with sight loss, build confidence, and learn practical skills for everyday life. Taking place over three online sessions in May, this course covers essential advice, accessible technology, and ways to stay active and independent.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, have been living with sight loss for a while but feel this course could help, or know someone who might benefit, these sessions provide valuable insights and practical guidance.
Each session is delivered by our experienced team – senior sight loss advisor, rehabilitation officer, and technology project coordinator – and provides an opportunity to ask questions and learn from others.
Course schedule
Session 1 – First Steps: Introduction to Rehabilitation and Getting Out and About
Monday 12 May, 2 pm to 3.15 pm
An introduction to living with sight loss, covering mobility, safety, and local support services.
Session 2 – Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: Everyday Smart Access
Monday 19 May, 2 pm to 3.15 pm
Discover simple tools and technology to help with reading, writing, and everyday tasks.
Session 3 – Specialist Technology and Staying Social, Staying Active
Tuesday 27 May, 2 pm to 3.15 pm
Explore specialist tech and find out about social and activity groups to help you stay connected.
We encourage people to attend all three sessions to get the most benefit from the course. However, if there is a particular session that interests you, you are welcome to attend just that one.
This course is open to anyone living in the areas covered by us and our partner charities, Wiltshire Sight and Insight Gloucestershire, who is looking to gain new skills and support. Each session is held on Zoom.
How to register
To book your place, call us on 0117 322 4885 or email info@sightsupportwest.org.uk
Find out more about each session on the Moving Forward event listings pages.
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: First Thursday each month at 7:30 pm.
- University Students Group: Fortnightly, Wednesdays at 7 pm.
- Working Age Group: Third Thursday of the month at 7 pm.
- Young Adults Group (18–30): Fortnightly at 7 pm.
Would you like to join? Contact us – 0117 322 4885 / info@sightsupportwest.org.uk.
Eye Can Salisbury
Join us at Eye Can Salisbury on Wednesday 2 April, 10am to 3pm (last entry 2.30pm) at Salisbury Guildhall. Hosted by our partner charity Wiltshire Sight, this free event brings together local and national organisations offering services for blind and partially sighted people. There’ll be equipment and technology to try, and informative talks throughout the day. If this is too far to travel we do have Eye Can Bath coming up this October.
To pre-register, call us or book on Eventbrite: Eye Can Salisbury 2025
Insight Gloucestershire Hubs and Social Groups
Our sight loss advice hubs provide a space for consultations with your local advisor, offering information, guidance, and advice on all things sight loss related. You can explore a selection of helpful aids at the hub and your advisor can suggest what equipment and technology might be useful to help you meet the challenges sight loss can pose. Additionally, some 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 01242 221170. Click here for our website hub and social group listing. You can put your postcode in the search bar to find your nearest hub.
Changes to Note for Upcoming Hubs
- Cheltenham Coffee morning has changed, it will now ruin on the 4th Friday of each month.
- Dursley Hub – has changed time and monthly date – it will now run on the 1st Friday of the month. Drop-in time is 11am to 12pm and we have a social group running from 11am to 1pm. appointments are also available.
- Stroud Hub has changed to the 4th Thursday of each month. Drop in 11am – 12pm, social11am – 1pm. Appointments available.
- Gloucester Hub – has changed venue, time and monthly date. The new venue is St Mary de Crypt Church, Southgate Street, Gloucester. GL1 1TP. This will be running om the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We have a drop-in time from 1pm to 2:30pm, the social group will be running at same time. Appointments will be available.
Events & Notices From Other Organisations
Could you or someone you know benefit from the Cotswold Vale Talking Newspaper?
The Cotswold Vale Talking Newspaper (CVTN) is a free audio service for anyone who has difficulty reading printed materials – including those living with sight loss. Each week, CVTN volunteers bring the news to life, reading aloud articles from local newspapers and magazines to help people stay connected with their community.
To find out more or to get in touch, visit www.cvtn.org.uk
Take part in Retina UK’s Sight Loss Survey
Retina UK has launched its 2025 Sight Loss Survey and is keen to hear from people living with inherited sight loss – especially young adults and people from diverse backgrounds.
The survey helps shape support services, secure funding, and influence NHS access to treatments like Luxturna. It takes around 40 minutes and can be completed online or by phone.
Deadline: Friday 25 April 2025
Find out more and take part: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/sight-loss-survey-2025/
RNIB report explores motherhood and sight loss
RNIB has published the findings from their recent survey on the experiences of blind and partially sighted mothers. Many people welcomed the opportunity to have this topic explored, and the report highlights key insights and lived experiences.
You can read the full report and summary findings here:
Read Navigating Motherhood with Sight Loss I Voice of the Customer report 2025 | RNIB
You can also listen to a special podcast on the topic via RNIB Connect Radio:
RNIB Connect / RNIB Research Explores Being A Mother With Sight Loss
Help RNIB improve post-diagnostic support
RNIB is collaborating with Thiscovery to research how post-diagnostic support for people with sight loss can be improved. They are inviting people with lived experience, family members, and professionals in the field to complete a short survey. Insights will shape future services across the Eye Care Support Pathway. To take part, visit: RNIB Survey
Energy support for households at risk
If you or someone you support has a telemeter (an older electricity meter controlling storage or immersion heaters), they could face higher bills when the RTS signal is switched off on 30 June. Energy suppliers should be arranging upgrades, but if not, contact them urgently. The Severn Wye Advice Line team can also help and speak to suppliers on your behalf.
Support is also available for people in rural or excluded communities, including help with:
- Fuel debt, billing issues, and emergency credit
- Energy efficiency advice and small home improvements
- Accessing grants and support services
Call 0800 500 3076 or visit the Severn Wye website to find out more
VICTA Science Fair
VICTA’s 2025 Online Science Fair is now live. Participants can explore a range of activities, including giveaways such as Amazon Echo Dots, Echo Show Kids, and Hot Wheels Braille Racers. Competitions and challenges are open in four categories, with £50 vouchers to be won. Families visiting a science centre can benefit from VICTA’s facilitated ticket offer. Full terms and conditions are available on the VICTA website VICTA Science Fair 2025 – VICTA For more information, contact the Activities Team at sciencefair@victa.org.uk
Local Leisure and Sporting Activities / Events
The Lost Flock
Join Hook & Loop Collective this Easter for a performance event made by YOU!
They’re looking for budding performers and creatives who are visually impaired (or have a visually impaired parent) to join an action-packed day of making, creating and sharing with family and friends.
Sunday 13th April, 10am-5pm
Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester
Recommended age for children is 5-14 years. VI participants can bring a friend or have their sibling involved if they wish.
Website link for full details and booking form: Hook and Loop Website
Get in touch with any questions: hello@HookAndLoop.org.uk
Gloucestershire Growlers
The group aim to give visually impaired people in and around the county the opportunity to take part in sport and create an environment where they can socialise with people who truly understand the daily impact of having a visual impairment. Although the group aim play to win, team spirit is more important than results and the group pride themselves on their unique “Growler camaraderie!
They are organising two indoor sessions at Gloucestershire’s Nevil Road ground on 6th of April. If you would like any more information contact Phil Gingell at bristolbluephil@googlemail.com
Support Groups and Courses
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 17th April – A demonstration of VisionAid’s most interesting products.
You can find out more and book a place DeafBlind UK Website
Macular Groups
See list below, but please contact before attending, as groups may have an alternate venue, or an outing planned.
Call 0300 30 30 111
Gloucester Macular Group
Meet on the first Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm at Gloucester Deaf Association, Colin Road, Barnwood, GL4 3JL
Cheltenham Macular Group
Meet on the third Wednesday of each month 2pm to 4pm at Christ Church, Malvern Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2JH
Stroud Macular Group
Meet quarterly, 10am to 12pm in March, June, September and December
At Stroud Hospital, Trinity Road, Stroud, GL5 2HY
See Differently Support Group
An 18+ support group for the blind and visually impaired, along with their family members and / or carers. Come along to chat, socialise and maybe play a few games or two.
Takes place every other Tuesday, 1-2.30pm
Location: The Redwell Centre, Matson, GL4 6JG
Email Harvey on: seedifferently@hotmail.com
Stroud Visually Impaired Club
Meets on the first Thursday morning of the month in Sherborne House, Stonehouse. Members come from the Stroud area and Cam and Dursley. Transport maybe available.
Please contact Celia on:
07770 146536 / 01452 864645 or email: celiakelly1961 for more information.
Local Audio Described Arts Events
The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham
The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, is delighted to be offering audio described performances for:
- Dear Evan Hansen on Saturday 10th May at 2.00pm
- The Midnight Bell on Friday 16th May at 7.30pm (touch tour at 6.00pm TBC)
Touch Tours on stage at 11.30am (unless otherwise stated)
Please contact Sally-ann if you would like further details or to book the touch tour or tickets:
Sally-ann 01242 695574
sally-ann.rhodes@everymantheatre.org.uk
Please let Sally-ann know if you would like her to regularly post you a large print season brochure or if you would like to be removed from this mailing list.
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