Living with confidence
RNIB Northern Ireland Annual Review
2013/14
Contents
Making every day better
Our work in numbers
About us
Being there
Supporting independent living
Creating an inclusive society
Stopping people losing their sight unnecessarily
Your support
A brief look at our finances
Thank you
How you can help
Making every day better
David Mann, Chair of RNIB NI and David Galloway, Director of
RNIB NI said:
“This annual review marks the end of RNIB’s 2009/14 five-year
plan. It would be impossible to list all of our successes over that
period, but here are just some of our more recent achievements of
which we, in Northern Ireland, are particularly proud.
This final year of the strategy period 2013/14 had many ‘firsts’ for
Northern Ireland. Derry Central Library became the first library to
receive the RNIB Northern Ireland Excellence Award through our
Sensory Engagement Programme, and with support from the
Heritage Lottery Fund, we created the first social history of
blindness in Northern Ireland entitled ‘A Sense of the Past’.
A new partnership with Shopmobility across the region led to the
introduction of volunteer shopping sighted guides serving eight
major retail centres. This initiative, along with ‘GoOnRNIB’, our first
digital inclusion programme, has helped many people to increase
their independence and confidence.
RNIB Northern Ireland – supporting people with sight loss
Registered charity numbers 226227, SC0393016 and 1109
Last year, our Eye Care Liaison Service delivered immediate
support to several thousand people who had been diagnosed with
sight loss. That support is essential to help overcome the
immediate challenges and barriers faced by individuals who are
losing their sight.
Our ‘Finding your Feet’ programmes have helped people face the
practical and emotional challenges of sight loss. This two-day
course focuses on confidence building and maintaining overall
health and wellbeing. Over the last five years, these vital
programmes have given hope to hundreds of people who are living
with sight loss.
Reductions to public services and personal incomes continue to
have a huge impact on the lives of many people with sight loss so
it is more important than ever that we reach as many of them as
possible.
Although the tough economic climate is having an impact on our
resources, we are so proud that our hard work has led to many
fantastic achievements this year. These are only possible thanks to
our generous financial supporters, along with our dedicated staff
and volunteers.
We know there is so much more to do, so we are tremendously
excited to launch our new strategy for 2014/19 which cements our
commitment to be there for even more people when they are losing
their sight. When someone is losing their sight, we want them to
receive the help and support they need to come to terms with this
potentially devastating news and to face the future with confidence.
Together we’re making every day better for everyone affected by
sight loss in Northern Ireland by: being there when people need us,
supporting independent living, creating an inclusive society and
preventing sight loss.”
Our work in numbers
 We identified £817,000 in unclaimed welfare benefits
entitlements.
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 Our employment service helped 27 people into work and
supported another 51 people to retain their job while they were
losing their sight.
 218 blind and partially sighted people received digital
technology training.
 Over 3600 people with sight loss were supported by an Eye
Care Liaison Officer.
 800 people with sight loss were supported in clubs and
societies.
 We supported 744 families of blind and partially sighted children
and young people.
 244 blind and partially sighted children and young people aged
0 to 25 joined our children and youth programmes.
 We provided advice about products and technology to 2500
people with sight loss.
Figures are correct at March 2014.
About us
We’re the Royal National Institute of Blind People Northern Ireland
and we’re here for everyone affected by sight loss. Whether you’re
losing your sight or you’re blind or partially sighted, our practical
and emotional support can help you face the future with
confidence.
Our ambition is to make every day better for everyone affected by
sight loss: by being there when you are losing your sight,
supporting independent living, creating an inclusive society and
preventing sight loss.
We’re a charity, proud to be led by a strong and active
membership of blind and partially sighted people, who along with
our trustees give direction to our work.
Being there
We will make sure we reach more people losing their sight.
Coming to terms with losing your sight is incredibly hard. We want
everyone in this situation to have the best possible support, and for
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some this starts straight after diagnosis. Our newest priority is
being there, which will focus on making sure we reach more
people as early as possible when they are losing their sight.
Eye Care Liaison Service
RNIB Northern Ireland provides sight loss advice services at each
of the hospital eye clinics in Northern Ireland. People often tell us
that this vital intervention can be life-changing. We are there to
help people address the emotional impact of sight loss on them
and their family. We work closely with health and social care
services to ensure patients have timely access to the support they
need and provide access to a host of practical support through the
RNIB group of charities and other community and voluntary
services. Last year, our Eye Care Liaison Officers dealt with over
3600 people giving vital advice and support at the point of
diagnosis.
New counselling service
RNIB Northern Ireland was awarded £500,000 as part of the Big
Lottery Fund Connecting Older People programme for a three year
project entitled “Looking Forward”. This is the first time dedicated
face to face counselling has been available to people with sight
loss in Northern Ireland.
Looking Forward provides practical and emotional support to blind
or partially sighted people (aged 60 plus) at greatest risk of
isolation or exclusion. The programme is free to access and offers
a minimum of six face to face counselling sessions and ongoing
peer support to help people come to terms with losing their vision.
This service is available throughout Northern Ireland with trained
volunteer counsellors based in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Armagh,
Fermanagh, Omagh and Derry/Londonderry. The Looking Forward
project works in partnership with the following key organisations:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Western
Health and Social Care Trust and Good Morning Northern Ireland
Network.
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Living with sight loss
Our local community workers supported over 800 people in clubs
and societies across Northern Ireland. The peer support network
that these groups provide is often a lifeline for people who are
otherwise socially isolated.
Being able to cope with the financial impact of sight loss is a
significant concern for families and individuals. During the last
year, our local Welfare Rights Service was used by over 400
people with sight loss and secured over £817,000 in unclaimed
entitlements.
Clare’s story
Clare (aged 27) experienced sudden sight loss due to diabetic
retinopathy in 2011. Susan Caskey, one of our Eye Care Liaison
Officers, was on hand to offer practical and emotional support,
right from the very beginning of Clare’s sight loss journey.
Clare said: “I can’t even begin to imagine where my life would be
had it not been for her work and moral support helping me through,
undoubtedly the most terrifying and traumatic experience, to date,
in my life.
Nearly four years on, I am now supporting the work of RNIB
Northern Ireland. Having recently completed the Eye Care Liaison
Officer training course myself, this has empowered me to
undertake volunteer work with Susan at the Royal Victoria’s eye
clinic. This all comes down to seeing Susan’s passion for making a
difference to the lives of people with sight loss and it has motivated
me and my family to help make a difference too.”
Supporting independent living
We’re committed to helping people with sight loss remain
independent and lead as full and enjoyable lives as possible.
Keeping you informed
Our Helpline is a direct line to the support, advice and products
you need from RNIB to remain independent. This year we
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responded to a record 500,000 customer enquiries covering
everything from benefits, to eye health information, legal rights,
reading services and product sales.
Insight Radio, RNIB’s award-winning radio station has gone from
strength to strength. As well as Insight online and via Sky and
Freesat, you can now also listen via Freeview channel 730. The
service is now available to over 20 million homes across the UK.
Our Reading Services provided around 40,000 blind and partially
sighted people with books in giant print, braille and our much-loved
talking books.
Control of your money
We’re delighted that our influence in the financial sector is
benefiting blind and partially sighted people. The number of talking
cash machines (ATMs) continues to grow so that people with sight
loss can manage their money independently.
Supporting people at work
Losing your sight doesn’t mean you can’t work. We support
employers to understand how they can retain staff when they are
losing their sight, or employ people living with sight loss. We also
work with individuals to raise their skill and confidence levels to the
point where they can gain or retain employment. In Northern
Ireland this year, we helped 27 people into work, and supported
another 51 people to retain their job while they were losing their
sight.
Achieving a better education
In Northern Ireland today, there are 2,500 blind and partially
sighted children and young people who require specialist
education support. Half have additional disabilities as well as sight
loss, and two thirds are educated in a mainstream setting. We
work with education professionals to support blind and partially
sighted children and young people, offering training courses for
teaching staff, facilitating specialist professional networks and
providing vital resources to improve teaching standards.
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Load2Learn, a joint project with Dyslexia Action, provides free
accessible curriculum resources to support learners who cannot
use standard print materials. Load2Learn now has over 5,000
registered users from across the UK and 2,500 books available for
download. We’re adding new resources all the time.
Shopping independently
We’ve enabled people with sight loss to shop more independently
by working with industry and retailers to improve the accessibility
of packaging and the services provided to blind and partially
sighted shoppers.
In October 2013 a new sighted guide shopping service was
officially launched at CastleCourt Shopping Centre, Belfast. This
innovative project was developed through a partnership between
RNIB Northern Ireland and Shopmobility.
The scheme allows blind or partially sighted shoppers to book time
with a volunteer guide through Shopmobility schemes. We assisted
in the recruitment of 28 volunteer guides and provided accredited
Visual Awareness Training for retail centres across Belfast
(Connswater, Kennedy Centre, Victoria Square and Castlecourt),
Newry (Buttercrane), Cookstown, Carrickfergus and
Derry/Londonderry (Foyleside).
VisionZone exhibition returns to Belfast
We were delighted to announce the return of VisionZone, a one
day showcase of equipment, resources and services for people
who are blind or partially sighted on 22 October 2013 at the
Holiday Inn, Belfast.
The exhibition was a joint venture between Optelec UK and RNIB
Northern Ireland, providing a unique opportunity for people living
with sight loss to meet industry experts and experience displays
and demonstrations of the very latest assistive technologies.
Those who attended discovered how to use a computer using
simple magnification software, or how they might read their
favourite book by using the latest video magnifiers and text-tospeech readers.
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This was a great opportunity for all the services or organisations
that blind and partially sighted people want or need, to come
together under one roof, to meet people, network and gather
information.
Digital technology training
In October 2013 our Products and Technology team held the first
of a series of digital technology taster sessions. These gave
people with sight loss an introduction to using the iPad’s built-in
voiceover and magnification.
By the end of November 2013, 45 blind and partially sighted
people had taken advantage of the taster sessions. Everyone who
attended these initial sessions felt that they were really valuable
and the majority signed up for a formal training programme which
started in January 2014.
These formal training sessions cover topics such as online
shopping, how to access email on your phone or tablet, using
Facebook and Twitter, and accessing music via the internet. This
was a step toward filling a gap in provision that many service users
felt existed in terms of IT training for personal use. The benefits of
these programmes are seen in people’s ability to independently
shop, conduct personal banking, make travel arrangements and
stay in touch with friends and family.
Ryan’s story
Ryan, 25, uses Shopmobility’s Sighted Guide Shopping Service,
developed in partnership with RNIB Northern Ireland.
Ryan said: “The guides are extremely helpful, doing all you ask of
them, but also letting you have your independence as well. They
will meet you at an agreed location, then take you round the shops
of your choice and read product information for you.
The service aims to get you the same guide who gets to know your
shopping preferences and patterns and I find this a big help to me.
It has also made shopping more of a social experience for me and
I hope this service continues as it has really improved my self
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confidence as I am able to go out shopping without family or
friends being with me.”
Creating an inclusive society
We want the UK to be a better place to live for people who are
blind or partially sighted.
Travel with confidence
Finding the confidence to travel when you lose your sight can be
difficult. We want blind and partially sighted people to get around
safely and independently. To achieve this, we supported blind and
partially sighted people to challenge poor practice through our
Campaigners Active Network and worked with transport providers
to help make their services more accessible. During 2013 and
2014 audio visual messaging was piloted on the Belfast Metro Bus
service.
New technology
Mobile phones and the internet can be vital tools to support people
with sight problems to live independently. RNIB worked with
manufacturers and service providers to improve the accessibility of
devices and online services.
We recommended some changes to the visual design of Apple’s
latest mobile operating system. Apple have incorporated many of
our recommendations, allowing people to enjoy all the benefits of
integrated accessibility with better tonal contrast.
Our work with Amazon has made it possible for blind and partially
sighted readers to have access to over 1.5 million books by using
synthetic speech for the Kindle app, as well as assessing the new
Kindle Fire tablets before their launch.
Television viewing has become easier for people with sight loss as
manufacturers have started to include text-to-speech in their
electronic programme guides that control digital televisions. Our
work with Panasonic led to spoken menus and programme guides
being available in their latest range of televisions.
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Technology support
Our Technology Support Squad continued to change the lives of
blind and partially sighted people this year. They helped to set up,
fix problems and show people how to use their gadgets. We now
have 14 dedicated volunteers in Northern Ireland providing support
to people across the region.
The service has transformed life for many users. Glenda told us:
“I’m now doing things on the computer I never dreamed I’d be able
to. It gives me such peace of mind, knowing I can shop online if I
need to or contact my daughter. I’m so grateful to Phil [the
Technology Support Squad volunteer] who made it all possible.”
Our third annual Switch on to technology month raised awareness
of the benefits of information technology for blind and partially
sighted people. We launched user guides, video tutorials and
organised hands-on taster events covering the latest on mobile
phones, computers and the internet for people new to technology.
Realise Project
This year we launched the Realise Project, a four and a half year
project funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Realise is led by blind and
partially sighted young people, parents, RNIB staff and members
of key voluntary and statutory organisations in Northern Ireland.
The project supports children and young people aged 8 to 20 at
key times of change in their lives, such as moving from primary to
secondary education, and then to further or higher education or
employment.
The project empowers young people at these key transition stages
by providing access to technology training, skills building, and
opportunities to increase knowledge and experience through
placements.
Catherine McCaffery, parent said: “My daughter Pauline aged 8 is
receiving one to one guitar lessons every week from the Omagh
Music Academy. She loves going to her lessons and puts extra
effort into practising at home. This has really increased her
confidence.”
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This IS working in Northern Ireland
Supported by Standard Life, our Employment Service produced a
booklet that tells the success stories of 11 blind or partially sighted
men and women who overcame barriers and maintained positive
attitudes working in a wide range of jobs throughout Northern
Ireland.
“This IS working in Northern Ireland” shows how the challenges of
sight loss can be overcome in the workplace. We hope it will act as
a catalyst, stirring employers to play their part in providing equal
opportunities in the job market, and in providing the support and
resources to enable people to keep working.
Sensory Engagement Programme (SEP) Digital
Training Toolkit
The launch of the Digital Training toolkit,
www.sensoryengagement.com, represented the culmination of
three years of work from an innovative cross-border partnership
between the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Northern
Ireland (RNIB NI), Action on Hearing Loss, National Council for the
Blind of Ireland (NCBI) and DeafHear.
The toolkit offers free training resources for service providers to
increase the accessibility of their services. A series of short films
focused on the personal experiences of local people with hearing
or sight loss. The programme was funded by the EU INTERREG
IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
A Sense of the Past exhibition and book tour
A Sense of the Past presents the first social history of blindness in
Northern Ireland from 1800, through wartime, right up to present
day. The project outputs include a fascinating book and interactive,
accessible exhibition.
The publication and exhibition had a wealth of input from members
of the blind and partially sighted community in Northern Ireland.
The interactive, accessible exhibition utilises the “PenFriend” an
accessible media tool, to allow blind and partially sighted visitors to
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listen to a narrative of information contained on six display panels
covering chapters within the book.
David Mann, Chair of RNIB NI said: “A lot has changed for blind
and partially sighted people over the last two hundred years. Once
objects of pity, we now assert our rights to self-determination and
full inclusion in society. Changes in legislation and in technology
over the past century have opened up ever wider horizons, but
society still puts many unjustifiable barriers in our way. The
historical perspective which this exhibition and book afford us
should serve to strengthen the determination of RNIB and of blind
and partially sighted individuals to continue the struggle for a more
equal and inclusive society in which we can play a full role."
Campaigners Active Network
The official public launch of our Campaigners’ Network was held in
Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on 2 December 2013.
RNIB has invested in the development of a user-led network of
people who are blind or partially sighted, and their supporters. The
network enables campaigning for real social change by addressing
key local priorities and network members can participate in
constructive personal development opportunities.
During the last year, the network led significant engagement with
local politicians on accessible health information, access to public
transport and safe and accessible streets. Network members are
having a real impact on campaign issues by expressing their views
and sharing their experiences with politicians and other decision
makers.
Stephen’s story
Multimedia Computer Design graduate Stephen, was having
difficulty finding a job. Our Eye Work Coordinator sourced a nine
month placement with international software firm Liberty IT.
Stephen said: “Through the Eye Work project I developed my skills
and gained invaluable practical experience. RNIB demonstrated
JAWS screen reading software to Liberty IT to show how I would
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be able to carry out my duties. The company then went on to install
the software on their systems.
I would like to say thank you to the Eye Work and Liberty IT teams.
I am confident that this support, coupled with further study, will
enable me to gain employment in the very near future.”
Stopping people losing their sight
unnecessarily
Over 50 per cent of sight loss in the UK is avoidable. We work
hard to make eyecare services and sight-saving treatments
accessible to all.
We want to reduce the levels of unnecessary sight loss in Northern
Ireland. We want people to be more aware of the causes and
potential signs of sight loss. When they are diagnosed with an eye
condition we want people to be able to access appropriate
treatments, understand their eye condition and make informed
choices.
Sight-saving treatments
We continue to fight to save sight by ensuring the availability of
vital treatments and supporting individuals to fight for their own
personal treatments.
It’s been a busy year for new treatments. Normally one drug would
be approved per year but we’ve helped six through the health
regulator NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
and five through the SMC (Scottish Medical Consortium) this year.
Patients now have access to a wealth of new treatments through
the health service for their eye condition. One approval for the use
of the drug Lucentis means that around 2,000 people a year will no
longer lose their sight.
Parties look to the future of Northern Ireland’s Vision
Strategy
In January 2014, the Northern Ireland Assembly All Party Group on
Visual Impairment launched the Northern Ireland Vision Strategy
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for the period 2014– 2016. The Northern Ireland Vision Strategy is
linked to the UK strategy and sets out a framework for change and
the development of excellent services to build a society in which
avoidable sight loss is eliminated and full inclusion becomes
accepted practice.
Since its inception in 2009, the Vision Strategy has been endorsed
by Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, leading to a clear
programme of action for individual government departments, their
agencies and sight loss sector organisations.
Raising awareness
During the week of 7 October 2013, the RNIB Eyepod visited
Belfast to urge councillors, public health professionals, and local
people to make eye health a priority in their decision making.
The Eyepod was situated at a number of prime locations around
Belfast including Parliament Buildings at Stormont, Belfast City
Hall, Lanyon Place, and Queen’s University.
We had over 200 members of the public through its doors and
established positive links with Bombardier and BT to support future
initiatives.
Improving eye health
RNIB carried out five pilot projects to help prevent sight loss in
deprived areas and among black and minority ethnic people.
These Community Engagement Projects (CEPs) were delivered in
Bradford, Wales, Glasgow, Hackney and West Belfast.
The specific aims of the West Belfast CEP were to increase uptake
of eye examinations, the level of knowledge and understanding of
eye health and entitlements to care. In partnership with the Upper
Springfield Development Trust, we implemented a community eye
health campaign, developed a pilot intervention programme and
offered support, particularly for those with glaucoma and their
families.
Raymond Curran, Assistant Director, Head of Optometry at the
Health and Social Care Board said:
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“I would like to thank RNIB for their role in the remodelling of
Regional Glaucoma Services, a move which will provide more
patient-focused care, delivered in superbly equipped centres of
excellence, and making meaningful contribution to reducing the
numbers of blind and partially sighted residents across Northern
Ireland.”
Paul’s story
As a result of the Community Engagement Programme (CEP)
people with glaucoma now have an opportunity to come together
and share experiences, issues, and get advice on living with
glaucoma through the Glaucoma Support Group in Shankill Health
and Wellbeing Centre.
Paul says: “My job mainly involves driving I was nervous about the
prospect of not being able to continue working if my eyesight
deteriorated. A speaker came to the group one day and explained
about the visual requirements to continue driving.
Thanks to timely treatment and good advice on how to best
manage my glaucoma from RNIB and others with the condition, I
am currently still employed as a driver which is just fantastic.”
Your support
Making music
Rodney Beggs and John Carlton, from the Music Rooms
Ballymena and Antrim, raised a fantastic £821 for our Children and
Youth service. In November 2013 the new Rococo, Ballymena,
was alive with the sound of music. Teachers from the Music
Rooms, along with students and other musicians, entertained a
packed house, with some young people with sight loss also
performing on the night. In summer 2013 they ran a successful
summer scheme for the children's team and are currently teaching
blind and partially sighted children vocals, guitar, bass and drums.
£1 a tonne
Northern Ireland recycling provider, Bryson Recycling raised an
amazing £6553 towards improving the lives of blind and partially
sighted children and young people through its annual “£1 a tonne”
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campaign.This successful and innovative campaign, now in its
ninth year, encourages local households to increase recycling
through weekly kerbside box collections.
Tandeming together
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Staff and Pensioners’ Fund
donated £2,000 for blind and partially sighted people to purchase
two tandem bikes and safety equipment. There are few liberating
and inclusive sports that people with significant sight loss can truly
participate in. Tandem cycling gives a certain sense of freedom
that the majority of other sports cannot provide. This kind of
donation means that four blind and partially sighted people on our
waiting list now have an opportunity to take part in tandem cycling.
Wear dots and raise lots
Every year in October we ask everyone to wear dots and raise
lots. It’s a really fun and easy way to raise vital funds to make sure
we can be there for the two million people with sight loss in the UK.
Visit www.readforrnib.org.uk
A brief look at our finances
We spent
The RNIB group of charities focused expenditure on the following
areas of work:
Stopping people losing their sight £3,562,000
Supporting independent living
£89,913,000
Creating an inclusive society
£9,741,000
Costs to generate funds
£15,848,000
Governance costs
£1,540,000
Total expenditure
£120,604,000
Our expenditure in percentages
We spent:
 75 per cent on Supporting independent living
 3 per cent on Stopping people losing their sight
unnecessarily
 8 per cent on Creating an inclusive society
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We raised
The RNIB group of charities’ income came from the following
sources:
Donations and legacies
£71,656,000
Investment income
£1,056,000
Merchandising and sponsorship
£348,000
Income from charitable activities
£44,150,000
Other incoming resources
£1,437,000
This gave a total income of
£118,647,000
And a planned operating deficit of
£1,957,000
The RNIB group of charities’ resources at 31 March 2014
consisted of the following:
Unrestricted funds
£69,188,000
Restricted funds
£25,335,000
Endowment funds
£5,329,000
Plus pension surplus
£6,482,000
This gives total net assets of
£106,334,000
These figures are extracted from the full Trustees’ report and
financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2014, as audited
by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
If you would like a copy of the full report, available in print, audio,
braille and by email, please contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999
or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
You helped us raise an amazing amount this year.
Thank you.
Thank you
We’re honoured to have the support of some remarkable
individuals. We’re indebted to our Patron Her Majesty The Queen,
and to our President Dame Gail Ronson DBE. We’re also indebted
to our Vice- Presidents:
 Sir John Beckwith CBE
 The Rt Hon David Blunkett MP
 Richard Brewster
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Professor Ian Bruce CBE
Jeremy Bull
Dr Haruhisa Handa
Dr Euclid Herie
Lady Jarvis
Penny Lancaster-Stewart
Lord Low of Dalston CBE
Trevor Pears CMG
Sir Mike Rake
Dr Dermot Smurfit
Rod Stewart CBE
The Rt Hon Earl of Stockton
Sir Duncan Watson CBE
His Grace The Duke of Westminster KG, CB, CVO, OBE, TD,
CD, DL
We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the many individuals,
companies and trusts that have supported us this year. Without
your support we couldn’t have achieved what we have. We can’t
possibly name you all but here’s a list of those who have
contributed significantly to our cause:
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1st Castlederg Presbyterian Sunday School
1st Comber Scrabo Cub Pack
1st Randalstown Beaver Scout Colony
366th Girls’ Brigade Company
Action on Hearing Loss
Alan Gordon
Albinism Fellowship (UK & Ireland)
Allstate NI
Andrea Begley
Angel Eyes NI
Arts & Disability Equality Charter
Arts Council Northern Ireland
ASDA Larne
ASIDUA Ltd
Atlas Communications NI Ltd
Ballydown Primary School
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Ballmoney Fundraising Group
Banagher Parish Church
Beechvale Nursing Home
Belfast Association for the Blind
Belfast Fundraising Group
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Big Lottery Fund
Blind Sports Network (NI)
Boots Opticians PLC
BT Northern Ireland
Buick Memorial Primary School
Business in the Community
Campaigners Active Network
Camping and Caravanning Club
Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership
Citizens Advice Bureau
Clare Presbyterian Sunday School
Dalriada Schools
Mr David Boyle MBE
Deafblind NI
DeafHear
Department for Employment and Learning
Department for Regional Development
Department for Social Development
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Department of Education
Department of Environment
Department of Finance and Personnel
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Derry/Londonderry Model Primary School
Diabetes UK
Disability Employment Services
Disability Sport NI
Divis Ladies Bowling Club
Donaghadee Parish Church
Donegal Vocational Education Committee
Drumcree Parish Church
Education and Library Boards
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Education and Training Inspectorate
European Regional Development Fund
European Social Fund
Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland
First Newry Presbyterian Church Sabbath
Foyle Fundraising Group
Garvaghy Parish Church
Guide Dogs NI
Health & Social Care Board
Howden UK Ltd
Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee
INTERREG IVA
John Atcheson Foundation
Jordanstown School
Killowen Parish Church
Killyman Good Companions Club
Kilskeery Queen Elizabeth II Primary School
Libraries NI
Limestone Trust
Macan Trust for the Blind
Macular Society
Manx Blind Welfare Society
Music Rooms
National Council for the Blind of Ireland
NI Museums Council
NI Screen
NIE Staff and Pensioners Fund
North West Regional College
Northern Health & Social Care Trust
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Optometry NI
Portadown Integrated Primary School
Public Health Agency
Ramoan Presbyterian Church
Regent House School
Regional Vision Resource Base
Ringsend Trotting Club
RP Fighting Blindness
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Rotary Club of Ballymoney
Royal Naval Association
Sacred Heart College
Sense
Shields of Donaghadee
South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Southern Regional College
Special EU Programmes Body
Sport NI
Springhill Primary School
St Columba’s Parish Church
St Mark’s Church Lisburn
St Mary's Primary School
St Thomas’ Rainbows IOM
Tandragee Royal Black District Chapter
Temple Church Community Club
Torch Trust for the Blind
Translink
Tyrone’s Ditches Presbyterian Church
Western Health & Social Care Trust
Woods Parish Church
Youth Council for Northern Ireland
Youth in Action
How you can help
Every day 100 people in Northern Ireland start to lose their sight.
We need your help to provide vital services for blind and partially
sighted people. Do something today and make a difference.
A brighter future
About a third of our work is supported by gifts in Wills so we are
hugely grateful to those people who have supported us in this way.
Every penny we are left is used wisely to provide a brighter future
and help blind and partially sighted people live their lives with
confidence. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference;
legacies of all sizes are vital to our work. If you’d like to know how
rnib.org.uk
you can help in this way please call 0845 600 0313 or visit
www.rnib.org.uk/legacy
Campaign
Without active campaigners we’d never get changes made to
health, social care, employment and benefits. Join our campaigns
on issues that matter to blind and partially sighted people. Visit
www.rnib.org.uk/campaign
Volunteer
Without volunteers we couldn’t run our services. There are over
100 volunteering opportunities across the UK where you could
make a real difference in your local community. Visit
www.rnib.org.uk/volunteer
Fundraise
Without financial support from donations and legacies we simply
couldn’t provide many of the products and services that help
people find their lives again. There are many ways you can show
your support, such as getting involved in RNIB Read, taking on a
challenge or making a one-off donation. Visit
www.rnib.org.uk/fundraise
Call today on 028 9032 9373 to find out more or email
rnibni@rnib.org.uk
RNIB Helpline
If you, or someone you know, is living with sight loss, we’re here to
help. Call 0303 123 9999 from Monday to Friday between 8.45am
and 5.30pm or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
You can order more copies of this review in print, audio and braille
as well as our range of products and publications.
RNIB Northern Ireland, Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street,
Belfast, BT1 4LS
028 9032 9373
rnibni@rnib.org.uk
www.rnib.org.uk/northernireland
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Copyright RNIB January 2015
RNIB registered charity number 1156629 (England and Wales),
1109 (Isle of Man) and SC044876 (Scotland)
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