Leisure ideas factsheet
We understand that life doesn’t stop just because you are losing or
have lost your sight. We have spent many years working with and
listening to people who have taken the time to tell us of their
experiences losing their sight and how they have continued to
enjoy their favourite pastimes and leisure activities.
If you want to continue with a hobby, take up something new, keep
fit or meet new people, this factsheet can give you some advice on
how to get there. It also includes advice on how simple
adjustments around the home or workplace can really make a
difference.
For further information, to order items or to buy products
mentioned in this factsheet, call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or
visit rnib.org.uk.
Contents
Leisure time at home .............................................................. 2
The benefits of good lighting ............................................... 2
Cooking ............................................................................... 2
Gardening ........................................................................... 3
Games, puzzles and hobbies .............................................. 3
Radio, TV and DVDs .............................................................. 4
Radio................................................................................... 4
Television ............................................................................ 5
Audio description on TV ...................................................... 5
Reading .................................................................................. 6
RNIB Talk and Support ........................................................... 6
Days out ................................................................................. 7
Museums and galleries ........................................................... 8
Local societies ........................................................................ 8
Rambling and walking ............................................................. 9
Sport and fitness ..................................................................... 9
Spectator sport ..................................................................... 10
Shopping .............................................................................. 10
Being creative ....................................................................... 11
Creative writing ................................................................. 11
Music .................................................................................... 11
Painting ................................................................................ 12
The Living Paintings Trust ................................................. 13
Photography ......................................................................... 13
Sewing and knitting............................................................... 13
Starting something new ........................................................ 14
Open University................................................................. 14
University of the Third Age ................................................ 14
Dark Horse Venture........................................................... 15
Volunteering ...................................................................... 15
Feedback .............................................................................. 16
Leisure time at home
The benefits of good lighting
By making simple changes to your lighting you can create a safer
and brighter home or work space. Our need for good levels of light
increases as we get older and by the time you are aged 60, you
are likely to require three times more light than when you were 20
Our “Everyday Living Solutions” catalogue has hints and tips on
using light to make the most of your site, or you can find out more
about lighting on our website rnib.org.uk/lighting.
Cooking
Whilst some people enjoy cooking as a relaxing pastime, for others
being able to carry on cooking is about staying independent. There
are some simple adjustments you can carry out to make things
easier in the kitchen for you.
A well organised kitchen is a great place to start. Everything having
a place in well laid out cupboards and drawers means you can
safely and quickly find what you’re looking for. RNIB’s PenFriend
audio labeller can help you get your cupboards and fridge freezer
organised by adding simple audio labels with your voice giving
cooking instructions, use by dates and different flavours for
products that all look the same in the packet or tin.
Helpful items like coloured chopping boards can add definition to
the food you're chopping against a worktop, and brightly coloured
Dycem mats can hold everything in place. Simple low-cost
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adhesive bumpons can highlight key temperatures on your cooker
or programmes on your washing machine.
There are a host of cookbooks available in audio, large print and
braille to inspire you, including “Cooking for VIPs”. Written from
the personal experiences of the author, it contains over 100 tried
and tested recipes and tips for cooking with sight loss.
Gardening
If you consider yourself to have “green fingers” and enjoy spending
time in the garden, cultivating window boxes or growing
vegetables, there is help and equipment available to allow you to
continue to do so if you have lost your sight.
You can use the RNIB PenFriend to help you identify what’s in
your garden. Identify plants and vegetables by adding a
waterproof label with names and care instructions on, then punch a
hole in the label and thread through an elastic band and attach to
plants or pots.
“Getting on with gardening”, written by Thrive and published by
RNIB, is a two-volume publication that offers useful tips and advice
to gardeners with sight problems. Available in braille, large print
and audio, the first issue is aimed at beginners, with issue two for
more advanced gardeners. Other titles include “Getting on with
growing food” and “Getting on with growing in containers”. Call
Thrive on 0118 988 5688, or visit www.thrive.org.uk or
www.carryongardening.org.uk.
Games, puzzles and hobbies
If you like to play games with family and friends, you can buy
adapted versions of your favourite games and puzzles. For
example, you can choose from large print and braille Scrabble,
backgammon, playing cards and dominoes, or big print puzzle
books, puzzle magazines and computer games. For children with
sight loss, we sell a number of learning toys and games for all
ages and abilities, as well as footballs with bells inside to help you
find it in a game. You can browse our full range of toys and games
at rnib.org.uk/shop.
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Radio, TV and DVDs
Radio
Surveys carried out by RNIB show that between 80 and 90 per
cent of people with sight loss are regular radio listeners. To help
you know what programmes are on and when, we produce a
number of accessible radio guides. You can choose from:
 a weekly braille or email “Radio Guide”, listing Radio 2, Radio
3, Radio 4, Radio Five Live, Four Extra and Classic FM . It
includes a free optional supplement for the BBC’s regional
services in Scotland, Wales and Ulster.
 DAISY Radio Listings, the most comprehensive UK radio guide
available in an accessible format for the 20 most popular UK
radio stations, including Radios 1 to 5 Live, BBC Radio 4 Extra,
BBC World Service, Classic FM, BBC Asian Network and 6
Music. Produced weekly on DAISY CD, you can play the listings
on a DAISY Talking Book player or with DAISY player software
on a PC.
For further details of all our Radio and TV listings you can visit our
magazines webpage at rnib.org.uk/magazines.
To help you easily switch between your favourite radio stations you
can buy a talking analogue radio, which allows you to programme
up to 80 of your favourite radio stations, through the RNIB shop.
The British Wireless for the Blind Fund also supply radios, radio
cassette recorders CD players and internet radios to registered
blind and partially sighted people, over the age of eight, who
receive a means-tested benefit and live in the UK. Don’t forget, you
can also listen to all Freeview radio stations through your digital TV
receiver.
The British Wireless for the Blind Fund
t: 01622 754 757
www.blind.org.uk
Every Tuesday evening BBC Radio 4 broadcasts “In Touch”, a
weekly programme featuring news, views and information of
interest to people with sight loss. The programme aims to provide
a forum where blind and partially sighted people can discuss a
variety of topics.
RNIB’s Insight Radio station is available to listen to online or
Freeview channel 730 and in Glasgow on 101FM. Broadcasting 24
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hours a day 7 days a week, the Sony Award winning station
communicates the needs, interests and aspirations of blind and
partially sighted people throughout the UK. As well as covering
news, sport, entertainment, talking books and social opportunities,
in-depth feature interviews and lifestyle programmes address a
wide range of issues affecting the blind and partially sighted
community. Insight Radio's presenters are all either blind or
partially sighted. This results in informed, intelligent and in-touch
broadcasting. Listen at www.insightradio.co.uk
Television
You can reduce the cost of your TV licence by 50 per cent if you
are registered blind (severely sight impaired). If you live with
someone who isn’t registered blind and the licence is in their
name, you will need to transfer the licence to your name to get this
concession. It can even be in the name of a child that is registered
blind. Call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6071 or visit
www.tvlicensing.co.uk.
Making subtle changes at home could help improve your viewing.
Simply by moving your chair closer to the set or changing the
position of your chair (either centrally or to the side), you may see
more of what is onscreen.
A number of products are available to let you record your favourite
TV programmes and series or watch them on demand, including
Sky+, TiVo and YouView. The accessibility features varies
between products, however a limited number of Freeview set top
boxes and Panasonic TVs have voice guidance, which read out all
on-screen information including programme guides, all menus and
your library of recorded programmes.
If fiddly small buttons on standard remote controls make changing
the channel difficult for you, we sell simplified remote controls with
large number buttons and function buttons that can be
programmed to your TV, receiver or DVD player.
Audio description on TV
This is a service provided by TV broadcasters. With Audio
Description turned on, significant visual information such as
scenery, action, facial expression and body language is described
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between the dialogue. Visit rnib.org.uk/adontv for more
information or call 0845 900 0015.
Reading
We understand just how important reading is as a part of everyday
life. With so many alternative ways to read and get access to
information, sight loss doesn’t need to stop you keeping up to date
with the news, your favourite subject, or enjoying the latest best
seller.
RNIB’s National Library Service is the UK’s major free lending
library for people who read braille or giant print books. We also
have an extensive library of audio books through our world leading
Talking Book service. Many books, across a range of formats, are
available to buy and keep through our online shop, and there’s
something for every taste and age. Call our Helpline on 0303 123
9999 or visit rnib.org.uk/library.
The Clear Vision Project lends children’s books that are all
produced with braille, print and pictures to help children learn
braille and read along with sighted adults, or blind and partially
sighted adults to read along with sighted children. There are over
13,000 books available. Call 020 8789 9575 or visit
www.clearvisionproject.org.
From the Times to Woman’sWeekly, National Talking Newspapers
and Magazines (NTNM, part of RNIB Group) have audio, Braille,
big print, DAISY or online text versions of your favourite
newspapers and off-the-shelf magazines. They have a great
selection of over 200 titles available in a variety of formats to suit
you. Annual subscriptions start from £25 a year. Telephone 0303
123 9999 or visit www.tnauk.org.uk.
RNIB Talk and Support
Do you like talking with people who are like-minded and share
common interests and an outlook on life? RNIB Talk and Support
offers an exciting range of telephone groups to socialise with, learn
from and share experiences all from the comfort of your home. We
will match you into a suitable telephone befriending group and you
can chat for free with the other members once a week.
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Our specific Telephone Book Clubs are also a great place to share
a passion and enthusiasm for books with other people. For further
details call our Talk and Support team on 0845 330 3723 or email
talkandsupport@rnib.org.uk.
Days out
From museums and galleries, to churches, cathedrals and heritage
sites, parks or gardens, there are many places throughout the UK
that you could visit for a day out. Some cathedrals and public
museums have tactile plans and models, or audio and braille
guides, including: Birmingham, Canterbury, Chichester, Coventry,
Durham, Exeter, Gloucester, Lichfield, Lincoln, Worcester,
Hereford, Norwich, Peterborough, St Albans, Salisbury,
Winchester and York Minster.
Ely Cathedral holds a service where blind and partially sighted
visitors can borrow audio recordings and tactile pictures of various
parts of the cathedral to study in advance of their visit. You can
obtain further information directly from the individual cathedrals.
Alternatively you can borrow the guides from RNIB’s National
Library Service. Call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
The National Trust produces an accessible free guide to facilities
for disabled visitors for its properties throughout the UK. Any
properties particularly recommended for people with sight
problems are highlighted in the book, as are ones with accessible
guides. The National Trust also produces a “Touch List” for blind
and partially sighted visitors in large print or braille. This gives
details of items and surfaces at National Trust properties that you
can enjoy by touch. The guidebook, entitled “Information for
Visitors with Disabilities”, and the “Touch List” are both available
free of charge.
Contact for ordering information is:
Central Office, National Trust Enterprises LTD, Heelis, Kemble
Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 2NA
For membership and general enquiries call 0844 800 1895 or visit
www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
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English Heritage provides an accessible guide for visitors with
disabilities to their historic properties. Telephone 0870 333 1181 or
visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.
If you would like to visit any other sites, tourist attractions, theme
parks or other attractions it is worth calling before your visit to
check what facilities are available. Ask if they offer a personalised
tour or information in your preferred format. You could also contact
the local tourist information office for details of what is available
locally.
Many theatres offer audio described performances or behind the
scenes tours. You can either contact your local theatre directly or
your local society for the blind, who may also organise trips.
VocalEyes, a national charity which works to improve access to
audio description in theatres, can also provide information on
accessible performances near you.
VocalEyes
First Floor, 54 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LT
020 7375 1043
enquiries@vocaleyes.co.uk
www.vocaleyes.co.uk
Museums and galleries
Most museums are happy to offer assistance to people with sight
loss, for example by providing a guide around the collections,
offering touch tours or special events or providing an audio guide.
To make sure a guide is available, it is important to give advance
notice of your visit (in most cases, one to two weeks).
A growing number of museums and heritage venues also provide
information in large print, braille or on audio, so if you need
information in these formats, ask if they are available when you
arrive or if they can be sent to you before you visit.
Local societies
If you would like to keep updated with what’s going on in your area
and socialise with other blind and partially sighted people, there
are a number of local societies throughout the UK. Many organise
trips, social and leisure activities as well as giving advice and
practical support, including help with products that can be helpful in
the home or out and about. For details of any local societies for
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blind and partially sighted people in your area, contact the RNIB
Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or search the Sightline Directory
(www.sightlinedirectory.org.uk) to find your nearest society.
Rambling and walking
If you are interested in rambling and walking, there are a number
of clubs and walking groups which welcome blind and partially
sighted people and visit both town and country routes. The
“Walking for Health” initiative, by Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer
Support, offers led walks and welcomes guide dogs. Telephone
020 7339 8541 or visit www.walkingforhealth.org.uk.
The Ramblers encourages and supports walkers and ramblers
throughout the UK. They have lots of regional groups, many of
which are very happy to welcome blind and partially sighted
members, including many younger groups. Telephone 020 7339
8500 or visit www.ramblers.org.uk.
Sport and fitness
Following the enthusiasm and development around the
Paralympics in 2012, there are many opportunities to participate in
sports activities, with adapted rules or specialist equipment.
In golf, blind and partially sighted people can be assisted by
sighted partners who line up their golf clubs to face the ball and
then indicate distances from the ball to the hole. Contact the
English Blind Golf Association on 02476 414166 or visit
www.blindgolf.co.uk.
Another popular sport is tandem cycling. The Tandem Club is a
national organisation with many affiliated local groups. Visit
www.tandem-club.org.uk.
Blind cricket has been played in some shape or form in the UK for
around 50 years. The rules are similar to those used in mainstream
cricket with a few adaptations where necessary. For example,
instead of the “standard” cricket ball, blind cricket uses a size three
football with ball bearings inside to make it rattle so that it can be
heard as well as seen. The rules are adapted to allow totally blind
players to catch somebody out after one bounce, and the bowling
delivery must bounce twice before reaching the batsman.
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Unlike these sports, goalball has been specifically designed for
people with sight loss and uses an audible ball and tactile court
markings. This is quite an energetic and physical game and is
played in teams of three.
If you are interested in finding out about cricket, football, goalball,
or a whole range of other sports, including archery, athletics, judo,
ten pin bowling and many more, you can contact British Blind Sport
on 01926 424247or visit www.britishblindsport.org.uk.
The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) is a Sport England Lottery
Funded project, which works with local authority fitness suites to
support them to deliver facilities for both disabled and non-disabled
people. Call 01509 227750 or visit
www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness for information on what
facilities are available near you.
Spectator sport
If you prefer attending and supporting sports events rather than
playing them, RNIB produce braille football and cricket fixture lists
for the start of each season. For football fans, we include the
Premiership, Championship and Leagues 1 and 2 with separate
publications for Irish, Welsh and Scottish football fixtures. Cricket
fixtures include all you need to know about the County
Championships, Divisions 1 and 2.
RNIB has also worked with both cricket and football clubs to
improve access and help blind and partially sighted fans access
these sports through a live and dedicated radio commentary at the
club grounds. There is a commentary service available at Lord’s
Cricket Ground and at most professional football clubs across the
UK.
For details of participating in other sports and our “Discovering
sports” factsheet, please contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123
9999.
Shopping
Personal shopping services are available in many large shops and
supermarkets. If you need extra assistance, phone your local shop
and ask what services are available. RNIB has worked with
Debenhams to implement an enhanced personal shopping service
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for people with sight loss in 134 of its stores. The personal
shoppers are trained in how best to describe the clothes they have
chosen and to advise you on the latest trends. To find your nearest
Debenhams personal shopping service or to book a free
appointment call Debenhams on 08445 61 61 61.
Being creative
Creative writing
If you enjoy writing, there are a number of practical aids you can
use, including writing frames to help write in straight lines and
writing paper with lines already marked on. If you use a thick black
felt-tip pen it can be easier to read back what you have written.
For our full range of large print stationery, including writing paper,
diaries, calendars and voice recorders contact the RNIB Helpline
for a copy of our Everyday Solutions catalogue.
If you would like to use a computer to write, but want help to get
started or learn more about assistive technology software that can
help, contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
There are some creative writing workshops that are especially
designed for people with sight problems and other disabilities.
Other workshops are mainstream groups, which encourage
everyone to participate. If you cannot leave your home to attend a
workshop, there are some writing courses and workshops that you
can take part in from home.
Your local library, local society for the blind or your regional arts
board should be able to provide you with the addresses of groups
in your area. You can also find local writing groups on our Sightline
Directory at www.sightlinedirectory.co.uk
More information is available in our “Creative writing” factsheet,
which is available from the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Music
Music making is fun and is something that is accessible to
everyone. Perhaps you have always wanted to learn a musical
instrument, but are concerned how you would see the music?
RNIB’s Music Advisory Service support people with sight problems
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in any aspect of music by giving information and advice on music
education at all levels, from a beginner’s interest to advanced
studies. Call them on 020 7391 2273 or email mas@rnib.org.uk.
RNIB has an extensive collection of large print and braille music
available for loan. You can browse titles at rnib.org.uk/shop or
contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
RNIB have a box at the Royal Albert Hall which is available to
members. We operate a ticket scheme that gives people with sight
problems the opportunity to purchase selected concert tickets at a
reduced rate. The box seats five people and tickets are usually
sent out in groups of two or three. Tickets are allocated two to
three weeks before the concert. Individuals who have not been to
the box before or have been the least number of times are usually
given priority for tickets. For further information call 020 7391 2063
or email royalalberthall@rnib.org.uk.
Accessible hymn and song books are available from Torch Trust
for the Blind. Call 01858 438260 or visit www.torchtrust.org for
more information.
Painting
If you enjoy painting, you don’t have to stop because you are
experiencing sight loss. There are a number of famous painters
who suffered from severe sight loss and still managed to come up
with some of the world’s finest pieces of art.
For example, Sir Joshua Reynolds, a British portrait painter from
the eighteenth century, was blind in one eye and chronically deaf.
Oskar Kokoschka, a twentieth century Austrian expressionist who
took on British nationality in 1947 also had very bad vision. And
when Claude Monet, a twentieth century French impressionist,
painted his famous water lilies painting, he had hardly any sight left
at all due to cataracts.
Perhaps you have never experimented with art but would like to
give it a try, or you may already have painted but would like to
improve your skills. A course could be a good way of learning
technical skills and finding new ways of expression. Local adult
education departments run art courses, and so do some local
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societies for people with sight problems. Your local library should
have details of art courses in your area.
The Living Paintings Trust
The Living Paintings Trust is a charity for adults, young people and
children with sight loss to enjoy works of art. They produce a
variety of touch and sound albums, explaining pictures to people
with sight loss and allowing you to enjoy the pictures in the comfort
of your own home. These albums consist of at least ten works of
art each, and they are available to all blind and partially sighted
people through a free library service. Each album consists of:
 tactile raised images of the pictures which explain the special
shape and characteristics of the pictures included in the album
through touch
 an audio recording providing a description of the pictures and
information about the artists, their style and the period in which
they lived
 colour postcards of the pictures.
There are many different albums to choose from, and they cover a
wide variety of subjects, from bird life to biblical scenes from the
Old and New Testaments. The trust also produces picture books
for children aged three to 18. Telephone 01635 299771 or visit
www.livingpaintings.org.
Photography
The Disabled Photographers’ Society provide advice to help blind
and partially sighted photographers, including technical advice on
specially adapted equipment, a quarterly newsletter and the
chance for members to exhibit work at an annual exhibition. The
Society has over 600 individual members and over 50 groups.
Email enquiries@the-dps.co.uk or visit
www.disabledphotographers.co.uk.
Sewing and knitting
If you feel that your sight problems are making it difficult to sew or
knit, try some of the following ideas:
 Try using large needles and brightly coloured thread or wool.
 Cover your lap with a blanket that contrasts well with the
material you are using.
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 If you enjoy sewing, try cross-stitch, using a bright coloured
piece of Binca material, which has holes readymade for your
stitches.
 If you have difficulty reading sewing instructions or knitting
patterns, try enlarging them on a photocopier.
 Consider using some of the specially designed sewing aids for
people with sight problems, such as needle threaders and
darning needles. Knitters may benefit from easy-to-see row
counters and tape measures.
If you like embroidery, there are companies that supply large holed
cross-stitch cushions, including Jacksons of Hebden Bridge.
Telephone 01422 88 11 00 or visit www.brigantianeedlework.com.
If you are looking for supplies of a specific craft material, or for a
list of courses in a wide variety of crafts other than knitting or
sewing, you can contact the Crafts Council. They can give advice
on pursuing crafts professionally or as a hobby. Telephone 020
7806 2500 or visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk.
Starting something new
If you would like to take up something completely new you may like
to consider a programme of study or volunteering. Listed in this
section are a few ideas to get you started.
Open University
The Open University (OU) encourages people with a disability to
study with them and they endeavour to provide support and
facilities to do so. Their office for students with disabilities can
arrange for you to have audio materials instead of print, and
transcripts of broadcast programmes. Some students with
disabilities attend a special weekend school on study skills. Open
University services are also adapted to individuals’ needs at
residential school, in tutorials and examinations. Telephone 0845
300 60 90 or visit www.open.ac.uk.
University of the Third Age
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a learning co-operative of
retired people whose members share many educational, creative
and leisure activities. People of any age who are no longer in fulltime employment can join. There are over 360 U3A groups
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nationwide with approximately 75,000 members. Members
organise their own activities by drawing on the skills of one
another. They share their knowledge and experience and develop
their individual capabilities by learning from other members.
Programmes of cultural, social and recreational activities grow out
of their study groups and general meetings. Telephone 020 8466
6139 or visit www.u3a.org.uk.
Dark Horse Venture
Dark Horse Venture is an award scheme for people aged 55 and
over. Any retired or older person can join the scheme no matter
how fit or frail they are and irrespective of background or present
circumstances. It provides opportunities for people to get involved
in new activities, hobbies and studies. All activities are noncompetitive and can take place at a pace to suit you and range
from relaxing pastimes to more strenuous programmes of studies,
volunteer projects, sports and explorations.
All you have to do is select an activity you have not tried seriously
before, and become involved in it for at least twelve months.
During this time you will be able to benefit from the guidance and
advice of a person familiar with the activity you have chosen. The
Dark Horse Venture has encouraged thousands of retired and
older people throughout the UK and beyond to regain a focus in
their lives. For more information telephone 0151 256 8866.
Volunteering
Your local Volunteer Bureau will have information on opportunities
to get involved in voluntary work. These could include helping out
in local charity shops, countryside conservation tasks and clerical
work for local charities.
Telephone 020 7713 6161 or visit www.ncvo.org.uk.
REACH finds part-time, expenses-only jobs for retired business
and professional people who want to offer their professional career
experience for the benefit of voluntary organisations. This job
placement service is available throughout the UK to both
volunteers and charitable organisations needing their expertise,
free of charge. Telephone 020 7582 6543 or visit www.reachonline.org.uk.
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The Workers’ Education Association (WEA) is the UK’s largest
voluntary provider of adult learning opportunities. Over 10,000
courses are offered each year for over 100,000 students, many of
which are run by one of the organisation's many local branches
throughout the UK. Courses cover a wide variety of subjects
including creative writing, religious studies, local studies and so on.
Telephone 020 7426 3450 or visit www.wea.org.uk.
Feedback
We hope you have found the information in this factsheet useful.
Whilst we make every effort to ensure the information is accurate,
please let us know if you come across any errors so that we can
rectify them. If you know of an activity or organisation that you
think should be mentioned in this pack, please also let us know
and we will try to include them in further updates. Any feedback is
always welcome.
For more information on any other leisure or holiday activities, you
can contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Updated November 2015
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