Insight Gloucestershire What’s On E-Newsletter for March 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 March 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
Connect Online with Virtual Hubs
We’re excited to announce the launch date for our Young Adults Virtual Hub – starting 5th March, running fortnightly at 7 pm. If you’d like to meet new people, chat, and connect with others living with sight loss, sign up today!
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: Fortnightly, Thursdays at 7:30 pm.
- University Students Group: Fortnightly, Wednesdays at 7 pm.
- Working Age Group (25–65): Third Thursday of the month at 7 pm.
- Young Adults Group (18–30): Launching 5th March, fortnightly at 7 pm.
Would you like to join? Contact us – 0117 322 4885 / info@sightsupportwest.org.uk.
Eye Can Salisbury
Our partner charity, Wiltshire Sight, invites you to Eye Can Salisbury. It will be held on Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 10 am–3 pm at Salisbury Guildhall. The exhibitors will have the latest in technology and equipment on display and you will find local and national organisations offering services for blind and partially sighted individuals. Talks will also be held throughout the day. To pre-register either call us or you can 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. Date this change is effective from: March 2025 (First new date will be Friday 28th March)
- 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. Date this change is effective from: Friday 7th March.
- 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. Date this change is effective from: Wednesday 12th March.
Events & Notices From Other Organisations
Casting for Bupa Healthcare Campaign – Paid Opportunity
Raw Research Casting is collaborating with Bupa Healthcare on a campaign directed by Dorothy Allen-Pickard, aiming to destigmatise health discussions by featuring stories from individuals with disabilities. Filming is scheduled in London from 3rd to 10th April 2025, requiring a 1–3 day commitment. Selected participants will receive £350 per filming day, plus £1,600 for their appearance in the final campaign materials; travel expenses are also covered. The campaign will be showcased online, on social media, and in print across the UK, Spain, and Australia. Interested individuals are invited to complete a casting questionnaire at https://forms.gle/cGx1qzA7XuxUzaGD7.
RNIB Voice of the Customer Survey
In RNIB’s latest Voice of the Customer Tracker survey, they want to hear from blind and partially sighted people about their experiences on things like eye health, skills and tools for modern life, getting around, employment and financial inclusion, education and habitation, leisure, relationships and social networks, and shaping society.
This research will help them to understand the areas that most impact blind and partially sighted people and to inform their work and campaigns.
Make your voice heard, complete their survey which will take 20 to 30 minutes: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWS9G2M
RNIB – World Book Day Free Accessible Children’s Book
In celebration of World Book Day on 6 March 2025, RNIB is offering a selection of free accessible books in braille, audio, and other formats, supporting the mission to provide every child and young person with a book of their own. The available titles include The Magic Balloon, Bluey’s Little Book, Who’s in Acorn Wood?, Barbara’s Very Useful Guide to Moods, and The Soccer Diaries: Rocky Takes the Lead. Families and young people with vision impairments can order their copies by contacting the RNIB Helpline at 0303 123 9999. Additionally, author Tom Palmer will discuss The Soccer Diaries: Rocky Takes the Lead and his collaboration with RNIB on RNIB Connect Radio on 28 February 2025
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
Track Day Opportunities at Llandow Circuit
Llandow Circuit in the Vale of Glamorgan offers accessible driving experiences for individuals of all abilities, including those with sight loss. Speed of Sight provides the opportunity to drive custom-built, dual-controlled cars on this well-known track.
One place is still available for the 3rd of June.
For more details or to book, visit Speed of Sight’s website or contact them at info@speedofsight.org.
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:
- The Girl on the Train on Thursday 27th March at 2.00pm
- 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 remoed from this mailing list.
The What’s On E-newsletter as a Word Document:
Click the link below to download the newsletter as a Word document