Angel Eyes NI

25/07/2025

The Disabled People’s Parliament is returning to Parliament Buildings this November, and now’s your chance to shape what’s on the agenda. The Northern Ireland Assembly wants to hear directly from disabled people about the issues that matter most. Help influence the conversation by taking a short survey before Monday 4 August 2025. Your voice can help shape the topics discussed on the day. Take part here

Find and participate in consultations run by the Northern Ireland Assembly

23/07/2025

We asked the professionals who attended our community VR stake holder day if they can think of any other groups who would find the VR training beneficial in their role.

See below one comment from a professional.

"Yes! Everyone! All schools, especially special schools. Cerebral palsy groups, Down Syndrome groups etc inclusive sports groups. The list is endless. Excellent training to bring awareness to parents and families and to get professionals thinking how they can better support our CYP with vi."

Reach out to info@angeleyesni.org if you are interested in attending our next stakeholder day.

19/07/2025

Stakeholder Day VR training feedback.

We are delighted to hear positive feedback from our community stakeholder virtual reality visual impairment training day.

Many thanks to Katherine and Mary from charity Sensory Kids who has shared how impactful they found the training. they feel the training is very beneficial for their role and would recommend the training to all professionals supporting children, young people and adults with vision impairment.

They have changed PowerPoint slides they use for training to make them more visually accessible for children, parents and professionals and will use knowledge and strategies they learnt on the day throughout their professional roles.

Thank you to The Hospital Saturday Fund for kindly funding the stakeholder training day.

If you are interested in our next stakeholder day please register your interest at info@angeleyesni.org

Images shows: professionals with the VR headsets on.

18/07/2025

Are you blind or visually impaired and looking to kick-start your career in communications?

Join Angel Eyes NI as our new Communications & Marketing Coordinator Intern through the Get Set Progress internship programme!

Based in our Belfast Office:
Duration: 9 months/Full Time
Salary: £13.78/hour
Start Date: Autumn 2025
Closing Date: Monday 21 July

This opportunity is specifically for someone who is blind or visually impaired, offering the chance to gain professional experience in a supportive, inclusive environment. Angel Eyes NI works to ensure that every child with a vision impairment, and their family, receives the support they need to thrive.

You’ll get to:
• Create accessible, engaging digital content
• Help shape our messaging and public engagement
• Be part of a UK-wide intern cohort
• Receive dedicated mentoring, training & tech support
• Help raise awareness and advocate for inclusion for people with vision impairment

Send your CV and cover letter to: sara@angeleyesni.org
https://lght.ly/d6eb6n

Deadline: Monday 21 July

17/07/2025

Join us for fun in the sun at Stormont Park Belfast on Sunday 3rd August between 11am and 1.30pm.

Have fun and get moving with Fitness Freddie and then relax with Tree Kids, which inspires a love of nature and being outdoors . There will also be face painting and a tasty take away lunch as well as a chance to meet up with other lovely Angel Eyes families.

Booking is essential and contact Janine on 07746179463 or email janine.dougan@angeleyesni.org.
This event is part of the SpecialEyes project which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland

13/07/2025

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received funding from BBC Children in Need
for our new project, UnifEye, launching this August!

UnifEye will provide support for children and young people aged 0–18 through:
- 1-1 support
- Events & workshops
- Support with transitions, e.g., leaving school, first job, etc.

We can’t wait to get started this August! If you would like to learn more about the new project, get in touch today at info@angeleyesni.org

Image shows a text logo stating BBC Children in Need

12/07/2025

Angel Eyes NI Community Stakeholder VR training Day.

Angel Eyes NI were delighted to deliver Virtual Reality Vision Impairment Training to 20 professionals working with and supporting children and young people who have a vision impairment. Our eye clinician Rebecca and family support coordinator Lisa delivered the CPD accredited training.
It is wonderful to see so many professionals keen to improve their understanding of vison impairment.

The exclusive Empatheyes Immersive CPD Training Session was delivered free of charge to stakeholders and professionals. It is designed to enhance understanding of vision impairment and how we can better support children and young people in our community. Special thank you to The Hospital Saturday Fund for kindly funding the stakeholder training.

Some feedback from the day:

I think the VR headset was good because it helped me empathise and better understand the experience of someone with a visual impairment. It also helped reduce some misconceptions.

My understanding of different eye conditions has greatly improved. The VR a great way to learn.

If you are interested in attending our next stakeholder day please register your interest at info@angeleyesni.org

Northern Ireland Children's Hospice Childrens Heartbeat Trust Barretstown SensoryKids TinyLife Shine: special yoga therapy Innovation Factory, Belfast Action Mental Health Children's Law Centre

Images show Eye Clinician Rebecca and stakeholders with the VR Headsets on.

11/07/2025

A huge thank you to the amazing team at Hedleys Lisburn for taking part in the Lisburn Half Marathon Fun Run in support of Angel Eyes NI! 🏃‍♀️

Together, they raised a fantastic £749.37 — an incredible boost for our work with blind and partially sighted children.

As Angel Eyes NI receives no statutory funding, support from local businesses and fundraising events like this are vital to sustaining and growing our services.

Thank you again, Hedleys — we’re so grateful for your support!

10/07/2025

What a lovely session we had with our amazing families at Sensory Kids in Antrim on Saturday.

Our families had an amazing time exploring the sensory room and soft play followed by some delicious hot food and snacks.

Thank you to Mary and the team at sensory kids who made us all feel very welcome.

This session was kindly funded by Cash for Kids NI

Sensory Kids

Photos show our families having fun

10/07/2025

Join us for an online workshop with NaviLens on 21st July at 3pm to learn how to use NaviLens QR codes to boost your independence! 🙌 NaviLens is a smart QR code system that lets you label and identify items using your phone — from food in the cupboard to different rooms at home. It’s fast, accessible, and easy to use.

If you are aged 11 to 25 and want to discover simple ways to label items, organise spaces, and make your daily life more accessible - then sign up today and don’t miss this practical, confidence-building session! Sign up now by emailing: info@angeleyesni.org

Image shows a hand holding a phone with a QR code on the screen

09/07/2025

Are you blind or visually impaired and looking to kick-start your career in communications?

Join Angel Eyes NI as our new Communications & Marketing Coordinator Intern through the Get Set Progress internship programme!

Based in our Belfast Office:
Duration: 9 months/Full Time
Salary: £13.78/hour
Start Date: Autumn 2025
Closing Date: Monday 21 July

This opportunity is specifically for someone who is blind or visually impaired, offering the chance to gain professional experience in a supportive, inclusive environment. Angel Eyes NI works to ensure that every child with a vision impairment, and their family, receives the support they need to thrive.

You’ll get to:
• Create accessible, engaging digital content
• Help shape our messaging and public engagement
• Be part of a UK-wide intern cohort
• Receive dedicated mentoring, training & tech support
• Help raise awareness and advocate for inclusion for people with vision impairment

Send your CV and cover letter to: sara@angeleyesni.org

Deadline: Monday 21 July

08/07/2025

Huge congratulations to Charlie, who took on an incredible 100-mile cycle around Lough Neagh on 9th June and raised a fantastic £1,177.50 for Angel Eyes NI! 👏

Charlie shares this inspiring message for anyone thinking about their own fundraising journey:

“Yes, it can be tough and time-consuming, but there’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve pushed yourself outside your comfort zone — not for recognition, but to support others, just because you can.”

Thank you, Charlie, for your amazing effort and generosity!

# loughneagh