Support Groups and Services Taking Place Across the Region
Groups meeting throughout Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Sensory Support Service
Drop-in sessions on Thursdays from 11 am – 1 pm. Support you with reading letters / bills, making calls etc. Bedminster Library, 0117 914 1440, SMS: 07775 695 434.
RNIB Tech Training Session Yate
RNIB run tech training sessions at Yate Library. Contact Chris Turner on 0303 123 9999 or tfl@rnib.org.uk
Assistive technology training – Yate
Assistive technology training hub based in Yate library – Wednesday afternoon during school term times. Trained volunteers are on hand to get visually impaired people up and running with their mobile devices. They will be offered 6 sessions. This can usually be extended if required.
If anyone is interested in attending, they should contact the tech for life team.tfl@rnib.org.uk
Macular Support Groups
- Broadmead – meets third Wednesday of every month:
10 am – 12pm. Broadmead Baptist Church, Union Street, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3HY. - Cote Lane – meets last Thursday of the month
2:30pm – 4pm. Saint Monica Trust, Cote Lane, Bristol, BS9 - Bath Macular Support Group – meets at The Good Living Centre (The Bubble) at St Johns Foundation behind the Cross Bath,
Contact Jo Fishwick on 07947 373 244 or Jo.Fishwick@macularsociety.org to find out more information or find other groups.
Thornbury Macular Support Group
Meets the first Tuesday of each month, 10.30 to 12.30 in the Methodist Church Hall in Castle Court, Thornbury, just off the High Street. Speakers and entertainment are arranged for each week. Tea / coffee and biscuits are provided. Contact marye.king@blueyonder.co.uk to find out more information.
Chipping Sodbury Vision Support Group
Meets at Chipping Sodbury, Grammar School Rooms on the third Tuesday of every month at 2pm. They have speakers and a social group.
Tel: 01454 851507 E-mail: csvision1924@outlook.com
Torch fellowship groups
Torch Trust offer Christian based fellowship where blind and sighted people meet on equal terms. Tea is provided.
South Fellowship Group – Usually meet the last Saturday of the month at 3pm, Location: Counterslip Baptist Church Hall, 648 Wells Road, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 9HT. Contact: Stewart Simmons Tel: 0117 9624220 e-mail s@stewartsimmons.plus.com
Groups meeting throughout Wiltshire and Swindon
Social Prescriber Drop-in, Trowbridge Library
Recently launched – a new drop-in service held at Trowbridge Library which runs on the first Wednesday of the month between 9.30am-12.30pm.
“Are you struggling to manage your health and wellbeing? Your social prescriber from the local GP surgery may be able to help you. Drop into the library to find out more.
Social prescribers can put you in touch with the people and activities that might help you to feel better. This could be an introduction to a community group, a new activity or a local club. Or support to find legal advice, assist with paperwork and form filling, or debt counselling.”
Swindon Chat group
Last Tuesday of the month 5.15pm. Contact: Bernice.Cocking@rnib.org.uk 07761 328571
Online Support Groups and Support
Retina UK ‘Talking’ Travel Peer Support Group
Share travel experiences, tips, and advice on mobility, public transport, and holidays. Meet fellow travellers and discuss the pros and cons of travelling with sight loss. Join the online meeting and connect with like-minded individuals. Contact Mark.Baxter@retinauk.org.uk for more information.
Digital Glaucoma Support Group
If anyone would like to join, please register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v1PxVKFMRr-UrxhV8rHndw or contact the helpline to book 01233 64 81 70 or contact Robyn Asprey on r.asprey@glaucoma.uk
RNIB Living with Sight Loss Courses
Covering a broad range of subjects relating to sight loss including confident tips for everyday living, eye health, magnification, lighting and technology, wellbeing and much more. Contact: George.Hinton@rnib.org.uk 07711 188292, Bernice.Cocking@rnib.org.uk 07761 328571 or Tricia.Sail@rnib.org.uk 078439 79975..
Sighted Guide Training from Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs offers a range of free sighted guide training. www.guidedogs.org.uk/sightedguiding 0800 781 1444.