Blatchington Court Trust

23/01/2026

Did you catch BCT on Radio 4’s In Touch programme recently which featured our Parents and Professionals Conference? If you missed it, don’t worry: it is still available to listen to in BBC Sounds (see the link below).

If you have listened to the programme you may know that we took our brand new Empatheyes.Vision VR headset along to the conference so parents and professionals were able to experience how different sight impairments may affect the young people that they live or work with.

What is a VR Headset?

Instead of using traditional SIM specs, which you may have encountered before, the VR headset is able to harness technology to give you a virtual reality experience of how individual sight impairments may affect a person’s sight in several different environments.

Some of the elements of vision impairment that we can explore include visual acuity, photosensitivity, visual field, contrast sensitivity, colour loss, depth loss, double vision and distortion. There is also the ability to simulate some common eye conditions e.g. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Albinism, Stargardts and others.

Although we are not able to exactly replicate your young person’s individual prescription we will be able to demonstrate how different aspects of vision impairment may affect how they see the world and give you an idea of how your young person’s vision may vary in different environments/ situations. This in turn will provide opportunities to think about strategies to help them, or reinforce the importance of the strategies that you have in place already.

How can you get involved?

If you would like to learn more we are able to demonstrate the VR headset to you. Simply get in touch and we can arrange a time for you to pop into our offices in Hove. The appointment will take approximately 30 minutes. One of our team will be able to help you to use the headset to explore how your child’s / young person’s vision impairment may appear to them and how you can support them with these challenges.

For more information or to book a time to pop in, call us on 01273 727 222 or email info@blatchingtoncourt.org.uk.

The BBC Radio 4 In Touch programme featuring BCT is here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mmsy

22/01/2026

Meet new people, catch up with familiar faces and enjoy a couple of games of bowling with us on Saturday 31st January. Open to BCT clients aged 18–29.

£5 includes two games, plus support from BCT staff if needed. We’ll be there from 2–4pm, with the option to stay on for food afterwards.

Book here: https://bit.ly/JanBowling

22/01/2026

Our friends at Possability People have an Advice Morning coming up. Details below...

Join us for a friendly Advice Morning offering practical support with Blue Badge applications, • Bus pass applications, welfare benefits advice, entitlement checks. Our Community Engagement Team will also be there, giving you a chance to connect, explore what’s on offer, and see what feels right for you.

Open to disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, neurodivergent people, and carers.
Refreshments provided. Please call in advance to book a place, or drop in on the day.

Wednesday 28 January, 10am to 12pm, Montague House, Kemp Town, BN2 1JE

More info link in the comments

20/01/2026

The BCT Youth Forum is for blind and visually impaired young people aged 14-29 who want to shape how BCT works. Members discuss real issues affecting them, such as travel, education, employment, daily living, and social life, and help BCT understand what would make activities and services more accessible and useful.

Forum members review proposals for events and venues, suggest new ideas based on what young people would like, and identify barriers like travel difficulties and confidence. They may lead or support projects such as improving how BCT welcomes new young people, creating peer resources on topics like making friends or starting university or work, or designing short surveys to gather views from other blind young people in Sussex.

Members can also work with external organisations. This may include meeting with theatres, museums, sports centres, or youth organisations to explain what makes activities accessible; visiting venues to give structured feedback on layout, signage, or staff training; or taking part in advisory panels and consultations run by external organisations.

Those who join can access optional training in leadership, public speaking, advocacy, organisational skills, and creative or media skills to support their involvement and build experience they can use in education, volunteering, and employment.

Like the sound of it? We’d love to have you onboard!

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/BCTYouthForum

19/01/2026

Join us on Saturday 28th February at Revolution in Brighton for a fun and relaxed cocktail (or mocktail) making evening. You’ll learn how to make three drinks with guidance from Revolution’s expert bartenders, followed by a delicious two-course meal.

This event is open to BCT clients aged 18–29. If you’re unsure whether you’re registered with BCT, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

The cost is £10, which includes the masterclass and your meal. If cost is a barrier, please let us know; support may be available.

Book your place now: https://bit.ly/CocktailsFeb

16/01/2026

Are you interested in learning more about the Royal National College for the Blind? They have their next open day on Friday 30th January, when you can spend the day touring the college campus, including residential areas, teaching facilities, and sports academy. The day includes a free lunch and the opportunity to meet staff and students. Book your place now: https://www.rncb.ac.uk/event-item.aspx?id=149

12/01/2026

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!

10/01/2026

Marvin’s Special Educational Needs Story Time Show is an inclusive opportunity for the whole family to participate in meaningful fun storytime. It’s a series of free online programmes created by Positive Eye designed to be the world’s first online inclusive literacy programme.

The next show is entitled Cool Col and the Crazy Crab Craig Adventure! and will be launched on the 30th January. Find out more here: https://marvinstorytimeshow.co.uk/product/marvins-story-time-show/

09/01/2026

RNIB has produced a series of guides and podcasts for parents and carers about emotional support for children and young people with vision impairment.

Parents tell RNIB that one of the most difficult parts of finding out that their child has a vision impairment is knowing how to talk about it with their child. RNIB has produced this guidance to support parents and carers as they think about this issue.

Access the guides here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/supporting-others/diagnosis-and-emotional-wellbeing/emotional-support-children-young-people-with-vi/

09/01/2026

For those of you in the Brighton area...

07/01/2026

We are looking forward to our cocktail (or mocktail) making class taking place on Saturday 28th February, at Revolution Bars in Brighton.

We will be learning how to make three cocktails from the expert bartenders at Revolution Brighton, before sitting down for a two course meal. This event is open to BCT clients aged 18-29. If you are unsure whether you are registered with BCT, please contact us.

This event costs £10 and includes the master class and your meal. If cost is a barrier, please let us know as we may be able to assist you with this.

There’s more information about the event on the button below, plus you can book there too.

Find out more and book: https://bit.ly/CocktailsFeb