RNIB Northern Ireland

18/06/2026

Welcome to episode 9 of the RNIB NI Podcast ‘REVVING It Up with Volunteers and NaviLens’
Listen up, speak up, break down barriers. Search and subscribe via your preferred podcast provider today!
This month we catch up with CEO of the BRM Group Stephen Kealy as the team get ready to welcome over 30,000 people to year three of REVVV It Up, the family friendly tractor pulling and music festival in Dungiven. RNIB are delighted to be one of two chosen charities at this unmissable event, running from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July 2026. Joanne Wilson from our Volunteering team shares some great info on volunteering with RNIB and how you can join the party.
our Policy and Campaigns Manager Paula Beattie is back talking with Connect Radio’s Allan Russell on what the team are up to in NI and following the official launch of NaviLens at Grand Central Station Belfast, we catch up with Translink CEO Chris Conway and we hear from Raúl Moreno from NaviLens. Torie Tennant who is blind and a frequent passenger at Grand Central Station Belfast, Joins Joe to share her experience of travelling with the support of measures like NaviLens. Revvv It Up Festival Navilens Translinkk

https://audioboom.com/posts/8918144-rnib-northern-ireland-podcast-episode-9-revvving-it-up-with-our-volunteers-and-navilens

Image shows Laura and Joe from RNIB NI sitting in the podcast recording studio smiling to the camera.

17/06/2026

Sight loss counselling, it’s good to talk about it!
At RNIB we offer emotional support for blind and partially sighted people through our Sight Loss Counselling team, a group of professional telephone and online counsellors.
We offer:
• One-to-one telephone counselling – this gives you the time and support to talk through your situation and feelings
• Online counselling – use the self-refer form to get in touch with our team through email, video or instant messaging
• Telephone support groups – discuss your feelings and experiences in small groups facilitated by one of our counsellors
• Guides to good mental health – we've produced a series of guides with tips on improving your mental wellbeing.
Take a look on our website for more information on how to contact our experienced team and find a list of other accredited sight loss counsellors and find the support you need.

If you're affected by sight loss, we're here for you

16/06/2026

To honour The Snooty Fox Dungannon owner Marie’s mother-in-law, who was registered blind having lost her eyesight in her 30s due to diabetes, staff held a fashion event instore with raffle on the night, raising a very wonderful £2,140.

We're so grateful to local people for fundraising for her services, and always glad to know our staff and services have made a positive impact in our communities 🥰

Here's RNIB's Stephen Campbell, with black labrador guide dog Nemo, accepting the cheque on behalf of RNIB Northern Ireland in the glamorous boutique

15/06/2026

Delighted to attend and support today's Inconsiderate Pavement Parking campaign launch with Ards and North Down Borough Council at Bangor Aurora Leisure Centre, alongside our friends from Bangor SIGHT group and Whitenoise Studios.

A truly powerful new awareness raising video coming your way from this partnership with the Ards Over 50s and Disability Forums - highlighting the need to consider others when parking and the huge impacts cars obstructing the pavements can have for people with visual impairments, using wheelchairs, or pushing prams etc.

A hard hitting, emotional campaign that we really hope makes people realise they have the power to ensure people feel safe enough to walk down their own streets and make the journeys they need to. Which could be as simple and everyday as walking the dog, or getting a pint of milk from the shop for tomorrow's breakfast.

Fantastic to also hear how the .official worked with local schools to tackle this issue, alongside a 'Kids Court' for those found to be speeding in the area.

"You have a choice. We don't" 👏

14/06/2026

Knowing the signs of diabetes are extremely important in protecting your health, and your sight 👀

Do you know?:
- The Four Ts ✅
- Key risk factors ⚠
- The biggest myths in how diabetes develops ❌

Knowing the signs could make all the difference ❤️

The Four Ts:
Toilet 🚻
Thirsty 💧
Tired 😴
Thinner ⚖️

Listen to the full interview with Suzy Hull of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland now and share to help raise awareness and bust some myths

13/06/2026

Are you sorted for Father's Day yet? Explore thoughtful gifts for dads, grandads and father figures in the RNIB Online Shop.

From gifts that give back, to practical, accessible products designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind, we've got you covered.

Grooming to gardening
Postable Gift hampers to gaming
Watches to wearable technology.

Browse the range: https://shop.rnib.org.uk/pages/fathers-day

Image shows screenshot of RNIB Shop Father's Day landing page on website. Pink banner with white text reading: Father's Day gifts from the RNIB Shop - From gifts that give back, to practical, accessible products designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind. Three product images below of 'Our Top Picks': Harvey Mackin whiskey glass and black presentation box, scannable speech labels, large hamper selection featuring crisps, buscuits, nuts,beer and chocolate.

12/06/2026

It's been all go in Newry as Aidan from Lee Opticians joined us in Newry Library to give another information session and one to one demonstration of the incredibly popular Ray Ban Meta Glasses, now available in their range.

It was a great opportunity to bring people of all ages together to explore the possibilities of this new wearable technology.

Cora, a regular with the group, was able to share what she's been doing with her glasses since she picked them up two weeks ago, which included replying to a text message sent in during the group just through listening and speaking through her glasses!

We greatly appreciate Aidan's time, and the nine staff across three Lee Opticians branches who also took on last weekend's Crooked Lake Triathlon for RNIB, raising an amazing £2299!

It's been fantastic to work with this local opticians to help local people with sight loss together.

11/06/2026

Fans of our volunteer led Tech Hub!
We’re introducing a small change to our volunteer led Tech Hub service.
From now on, there will be no regular hub on first Tuesday of each month but instead, if you need a little tech support with your device, contact Jaison Curtis directly to make an appointment. This will allow Jaison to manage demand better and work around the needs of the customer.
To book email [email protected] or call 01733 979553 and leave a message. Image shows an a lady who is an RNIB volunteer on the left showing a man on the right how to use an iPad.

10/06/2026

Heavy metal fans unite! 🎸🔈This Saturday 13th June at in Queen's Students' Union, experience an extreme night of music, at Albomination Fest

Now in its second year, Albomination Fest 2 is hosted by local musician Cameron Johnston, whom we've supported since he was 2 years old, and now he's raising awareness of living with Albinism and the support RNIB can provide to individuals and families this International Albinism Awareness Day.

Cameron said,"I have Oculocutaneous Albinism and throughout my life, I have attended various RNIB events and the RNIB has helped me and my family throughout my life. I have met various friends and made lifelong connections as a result of the RNIB, as well as gained support and valuable experiences as a result.

"This is my second year organising the music fundraiser for International Albinism Awareness Day. Last year we raised £1,724 for the Albinism Fellowship Charity, and this year I would like to chose RNIB NI as my chosen charity.

The event will be hosted in the Wee Bar, Queens Student Union and will feature 4 different metal bands (including my own), all proceeds going towards RNIB NI. I want to raise as much money and awareness as possible about the work RNIB NI do for families like my own.

Tickets £8 via Eventbrite. £10 on door.

10/06/2026

🗣️ Customer announcement - the RNIB NI Products and Advice Centre and RNIB NI offices in Belfast will be closed tomorrow (Thursday, 11 June).

If you would like to make an appointment with our Products and Advice Co-ordinator, you can email: [email protected] or call: 028 9033 4110

For any other queries, you can email: [email protected] or call our Helpline on: 0303 123 9999.

Image shows a selection of products and equipment displayed on shelves in the RNIB NI Products and Advice Centre