Blatchington Court Trust

08/09/2025

We've got what promises to be a fascinating and insightful panel discussion taking place at our Parents & Professionals Conference on Monday 22nd September. Our free event is open to all, and you can book your ticket here: https://bit.ly/BCTConference2025

The panel discussion and Q&A takes place from 1.30-2.15pm, and explores the theme of “Letting Go”. Our expert panel will be discussing how, as parents, you can build your emotional resilience when supporting your child into independence

Our panellists include Fern Lulham, a VIYP, Grant Smith from Guide Dogs, and two parents: Shelley Boden and Funke Bayo-Awokaike.

This is an essential event for all parents and carers of VI young people, as well as professionals working in the area. Join us at the University of Sussex in Brighton for a day of inspiration and practical advice: https://bit.ly/BCTConference2025

08/09/2025

07/09/2025

As you will have read in our newsletter, our grants programme is currently paused while we update our systems. However there are other funding opportunities provided by other organisations and we have collated a selection which you can find on the website: https://www.blatchingtoncourt.org.uk/other-grants/

Not receiving our newsletter? You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/BCTNewsletters

06/09/2025

Sound Without Sight is an initiative, supported by RNIB’s Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Memorial Fund, that connects blind and partially sighted musicians to one another, and to resources, opportunities and support.

The Sound Without Sight website is full of opportunities for budding and experienced musicians, and is well worth a browse through their ‘news’ section: https://soundwithoutsight.org/news/

05/09/2025

We have two landline phones with large number pads (see photo below) that we no longer need in the office. If you would like one, please email gemma@blatchingtoncourt.org.uk or call the office on 01273 727 222.

Please note that they will need to be collected from the office and they’re available on a first come, first serve basis.

04/09/2025

Both our Art Clubs - for Under 18s and Over 18s - are now on Saturdays which we hope will enable more of you to attend. They’re coming up this Saturday, the 6th September, with Under 18s at 10am and Over 18s at 12.30pm.

This month’s theme is textured painting; join us for an exciting experimental session where we’ll be adding natural and found materials to paint to create lovely textures to decorate our canvases.

Parents and carers are welcome to stay (either in the session or in our reception area) or head off until pick up time.

Tickets for either session are £5 and can be booked on the website: https://www.blatchingtoncourt.org.uk/events/

For those who like to plan ahead, the dates for future Art Clubs are also on the website.

04/09/2025

We're pleased to be able to give you details of the speaker programme at our Parents & Professionals Conference, which is coming up soon on Monday 22nd September.

Join us at this free event to hear from experts on practical and relevant topics:

10am - Supporting Your Child with CVI in Mainstream School - Janet Harwood (The Cerebral Visual Impairment Society)

10.15am - Seeing Through Their Eyes: Understanding, Supporting and Believing in Your Child - Fern Lulham - Public Speaker

11.00am - Legal Pitfalls in the EHC Process: Understanding Your Rights and the Legal Tests - Emma Thompson

11.30am - Supporting Your Child with CVI in Specialist School - Janet Harwood (CVI Society)

11.45am - Introducing VICTA: Supporting Young People Through Transition - Tiffany Woods (VICTA UK)

Book your space at this not-to-be-missed event: https://bit.ly/BCTConference2025

01/09/2025

Dr Yusuf Dumlupınar, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh, is conducting research on the functionality of Braille music notation and audio technologies in the education of children with VI. This study is aimed at music students aged 11-18 with VI, as well as their teachers and families, from across the UK.

Dr Dumlupınar is seeking participants to complete a short survey, optionally take part in one-on-one interviews, and facilitate classroom observations. Participation is voluntary, and all information will remain confidential. It is hoped that valuable insight from the research will contribute to enhancing accessibility in music education and shaping future educational policies.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Dr. Dumlupınar: divan68@gmail.com / Tel: 07909 423157

31/08/2025

Are you passionate about creating brighter futures for children and young people with sight loss? BCT is seeking new Trustees to help shape our next chapter.

This is a pivotal time to get involved. We’re rolling out an ambitious new five-year strategy focused on:

Family Support
Education Advocacy
Digital Inclusion
Independence

We are especially keen to hear from individuals with experience in:
Finance and investment (to also join our Finance & General Purposes Committee)
Building management /Surveying
Safeguarding
Lived experience of sight loss
Health and Safety

Commitments:
Meetings are once every three months, during the day, for two hours with lunch served, unless you are a member of the Finance & General Purposes Committee, where it would be two meetings every three months.

Reading papers and reports and contributing to agenda items

Attending events and away days as necessary

As a Trustee, you will:

Champion a vital cause: support individuals under 30 living with sight loss, from tech grants to counselling and inclusive events.

Shape the future: help guide a financially robust, investment-funded charity ready to innovate and grow.

Collaborate with purpose: join a diverse and committed Board working closely with staff to ensure the Trust thrives.

Grow personally and professionally: gain valuable leadership and governance experience in a meaningful context.

We're also committed to nurturing future leaders. If you're aged 18 or over, and a current or former client of the Trust, we warmly invite you to explore Trustee opportunities. You can observe Board meetings and learn more before committing to a full Trustee role.

Interested? Email bernie@blatchingtoncourt.org.uk and let us know which role you are interested in. Your insight and leadership could help transform lives!

29/08/2025

All children should be able to explore and participate in any celebration that has meaning to them. That’s why the Children, Young People and Families and Education (CYPFE) team at RNIB have created ‘Celebrations’: a free resource that gives information and adapted activity ideas on a range of cultural, religious and other festivals across the year.

Suitable for use in schools or by families themselves, the different Celebrations can be downloaded from the RNIB website: http://www.rnib.org.uk/celebrations

27/08/2025

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is offering a fully funded self-led employability programme that specifically addresses the challenges faced by young adults with a vision impairment.

Their supportive and flexible three-month programme will help you navigate the world of work through a blend of in-person small group coaching and accessible online learning. Working at your own pace, you will develop a wealth of practical skills to help you take the right steps towards achieving success in the workplace.

You will first come together on a five-day residential to explore how you can apply your interests and strengths to make a lasting impact. You will receive ongoing remote support over the following three months from our team of VI experienced professionals, who will get you one step closer to your dream job.

You must be:

Visually impaired
Actively looking for employment
Not in employment, education or training
At least 18 years old on Monday 27 October 2025
Aged 29 or under in January 2026

More information and to register: https://www.rnc.ac.uk/form/16

26/08/2025

West Sussex Mind Parenting Services run regular training support groups with themes around Mental Health, to help parents and carers support their children and young people. Guest speakers are trainers with lots of relevant lived/ professional experience.

They deliver a session which includes a presentation on the given topic and then the session is open for questions aimed at the guest speaker, giving parents and carers the opportunity to build on their knowledge, skills and confidence when supporting their children and young people.

These groups will have parents and carers attending who are experiencing similar things, which provides some peer support by encouraging one another, and building each other up (and ultimately helps people to feel less alone in their situation).

Their upcoming sessions include:
Supporting Children and Young People who Self Harm, Wednesday 3 September, 19:30 - 21:30
Emotional & Self Regulation Skills in Children & Young People, Wednesday 1 October, 19:30 - 21:30

Find all of their upcoming training courses and events here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/west-sussex-mind-8288439768