Daily Life

RNIB Talk and Support

Summary: Telephone groups for people with sight loss in the UK.

• Latest news
• What is RNIB Talk and Support?
• What are the groups on offer?
• Real lives – RNIB Tele Befriending

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"Its' like a lifeline to me. I felt my world was closing in before joining my telephone group. I've met so many good friends.” RNIB Tele Befriending participant

"The Books Clubs have woken up an interest in me that was dormant. I have become all fired up about books again." Telephone Book Club participant

Call us on 0845 330 3723 / 020 7874 1303 to join a telephone group or to have a chat about the groups.

Latest news

RNIB Talk and Support win National Lottery Award

We are pleased to announce that RNIB Talk & Support has been voted the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded Charity/Voluntary project.

Tess Daly presented members of the RNIB Talk and Support Team with the winner’s trophy during a live show on BBC1's ‘The National Lottery: Big 7’ on Saturday 15 September 2007.

Celebrity Lottery Charity/Voluntary ambassador, Tess Daly, enthused:

"RNIB Talk and Support received an overwhelming response from the public who really got behind them. After spending a day with them I can see why they pulled in all those votes! RNIB Talk and Support is a wonderful example of how Lottery funding has really made a difference to blind and partially blind people who’ve been suffering in isolation but now have the support and friendship of a group of like-minded and understanding friends. I am delighted to have presented them with the Best Voluntary/Charity Award."

RNIB Talk & Support was one of over 640 projects from across the UK to enter the Awards. Members of the public vote for the Awards. This year a record number of over 150,000 votes were cast.

A huge thank you goes to everyone who voted - without your votes we would not have won.

Celebrating six years of talking!

We are pleased to be celebrating the continued success of RNIB Tele Befriending our weekly telephone social groups. The groups were first piloted six years ago in October 2001 and we are delighted that eight of the original participants are still taking part and enjoying the friendship the groups bring.

Joyce, one of the original participants explains "It's the camaraderie I really enjoy. We are all in the same position regarding sight loss and it's good to know that you are not alone."

What is RNIB Talk and Support?

RNIB Talk and Support offers an exciting range of telephone groups for people with sight loss in the UK. The groups are available from the comfort of people’s own home, using the telephone.

The telephone groups provide opportunities for people to continue to socialise, make new friends, share information and support each other. And have lots of fun too!

What are the groups on offer?

There are several telephone groups on offer. They are:

• RNIB Tele Befriending (weekly social groups over the telephone) These groups are called a ‘lifeline’ by those who are taking part in the groups.
• Telephone Book Clubs (monthly telephone group lasting for six months) for people who have a passion for books and would like to share their experiences with others.
• Parent Network Group (fortnightly term-time network groups over the telephone) for parents with sight loss. It doesn’t matter if the parents have children who are sighted or who have sight loss as it's all about having quality time to chat to other parents.

Real lives – RNIB Tele Befriending

Take a look at how RNIB Tele Befriending touches people’s lives by reading stories from people who take part in our telephone groups.

Did you know that RNIB is a membership organisation? Join us as a member and experience the warm and friendly welcome you'll receive from our growing community of members. Call 0870 787 0077 / 01604 640 040 for further details about becoming an RNIB Member.

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Content author: talkandsupport@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 23/04/2008 16:30