Blatchington Court Trust

Blatchington Court Trust BCT supports, informs & empowers young people with sight loss under the age of 30, & their families, throughout Sussex.

Our services are life changing and we are proud to work with our incredible young people & their families to make positive change.

Our Summer BBQ is back on Saturday 4 July, 11am–3pm at 1st Central County Ground and we’d love to see you there.This fre...
08/05/2026

Our Summer BBQ is back on Saturday 4 July, 11am–3pm at 1st Central County Ground and we’d love to see you there.

This free event is open to all Blatchington Court Trust clients, along with parents, siblings and carers. Lunch is included, with soft drinks, tea and coffee available throughout the day.

We’ve got lots planned, including inflatables, outdoor games, circus skills, football, Lego, face painting and our raffle. You can dip in and out of activities throughout the day and enjoy a relaxed chance to catch up with familiar faces.

Each person attending will need their own ticket and booking form, including dietary requirements and the name of everyone attending.

Tickets are limited to start with, but if they sell out please join the waiting list as this helps us release more spaces.

Book here: https://bit.ly/SummerBBQ2026

We are pleased to report that BCT has helped two clients secure sixth form placements at The Royal National College for ...
07/05/2026

We are pleased to report that BCT has helped two clients secure sixth form placements at The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) from September 2026! They will be able to study A-levels alongside developing their mobility and independent living skills amongst other young people who are blind and sight impaired. We wish them well with their new adventure!

If you or your child would benefit from support in education, we’re here to help.

We’re excited to offer a unique sensory visit to the Royal Pavilion Brighton on Saturday 23rd May, 10.45am–12.30pm.Guide...
07/05/2026

We’re excited to offer a unique sensory visit to the Royal Pavilion Brighton on Saturday 23rd May, 10.45am–12.30pm.

Guided by an expert, you’ll not only hear the rich history of this extraordinary building, you’ll also feel it. From specially selected objects to textiles rarely available to the public, this touch tour is designed to make heritage more accessible and immersive.

Originally created by King George IV as a luxurious seaside retreat, the Pavilion blends opulence, innovation, and history, from royal visits to its role as a wartime hospital.

👥 Open to BCT clients (all ages welcome) + one parent or friend
🎟️ £5 per person
📍 Limited tickets available

Need support with cost? Drop us a message or call us on 01273 727 222.
Full details including accessibility info here: https://bit.ly/PavilionTouchTour

The weather has started to get a lot brighter and we are already making the most of it. Recently a group of our over 18s...
06/05/2026

The weather has started to get a lot brighter and we are already making the most of it. Recently a group of our over 18s met at Hove Station before walking down to The Brunswick for a pub lunch.

There were plenty of food options on offer, with some choosing a traditional roast while others went for a burger. After lunch, we headed back out and walked along the seafront towards the pier. Along the way, we enjoyed a selection of live music, and there may have been some singing from a few members of the group!

Some people walked independently with the group, while others were supported by staff where needed. We made an essential stop for ice cream before heading home, and staff also supported those who needed help finding a taxi or their bus.

It was great to see a mix of familiar faces and people joining us for the first time. Our events are open to everyone, whether you are newly registered with us or returning after some time away.

Later this month we will be visiting the Royal Pavilion for a guided touch tour. This activity is open to BCT clients of all ages and we would love to see you there! Check out all our events here: https://www.blatchingtoncourt.org.uk/events/

Gelli printing is a really fun form of mono printing where paint is applied to a soft gel plate using rollers. Textures ...
05/05/2026

Gelli printing is a really fun form of mono printing where paint is applied to a soft gel plate using rollers. Textures and patterns are then created by pressing in natural or found objects, along with other materials to add depth and tactile interest. The design is then transferred onto paper or fabric, producing unique, one-of-a-kind prints. Come along to May’s Art Clubs to try it out for yourself!

Art Club runs on Saturday 9th May, with Under 18s from 10am-12pm, and Over 18s at 12.30pm-2.30pm. Tickets are £5 which includes all materials, plus drinks and biscuits.

Book now: https://www.blatchingtoncourt.org.uk/events/

Pedal People Charity is a local charity who offer All‑Ages Accessible Cycle Rides. These sessions offer a joyful, stimu...
04/05/2026

Pedal People Charity is a local charity who offer All‑Ages Accessible Cycle Rides. These sessions offer a joyful, stimulating outdoor experience along up to 25 km of Brighton & Hove’s beautiful seafront, using their specially adapted fleet of side-by-side tandems.

They offer:
Low or no‑cost rides, subsidised through Pedal People Charity fundraising.
Accessible cycling for all ages, including people with complex support needs.
A choice of 2-4‑seater trikes.
Training for carers/support workers to become confident cycle‑pilots.
Weekly recurring rides; they manage the booking for you, reducing admin.

Their aim is to enable as many people as possible to enjoy the physical, social, and sensory benefits of outdoor cycling in a completely supported and inclusive environment.

Find out more and book: https://www.pedalpeople.org.uk/book-a-cycle-ride

We’re heading to one of Brighton’s most iconic landmarks, and you’re invited!On Saturday 23rd May (10.45am–12.30pm), BCT...
03/05/2026

We’re heading to one of Brighton’s most iconic landmarks, and you’re invited!

On Saturday 23rd May (10.45am–12.30pm), BCT clients are invited to join us for a guided touch tour of the Royal Pavilion Brighton.

This is a chance to explore the Pavilion in a way that goes beyond the visual. With an expert guide, you’ll hear the fascinating history of the building and interact with objects and materials not usually accessible to visitors.

From its creation by King George IV to visits from Queen Victoria and its use during WWI, there’s so much to discover and experience.

💬 Open to BCT clients + one accompanying parent or friend
🎫 £5 per person (includes entry and tour)
⚠️ Spaces are limited

If you’d like to bring additional family members, let us know and we’ll add them to the waiting list. And if cost is a barrier, please get in touch; we want this experience to be accessible to everyone.

Head to the website to book: https://bit.ly/PavilionTouchTour

A member of the Hampshire Sight Loss Councils is petitioning to end the postcode lottery for disabled bus passes across ...
01/05/2026

A member of the Hampshire Sight Loss Councils is petitioning to end the postcode lottery for disabled bus passes across England.

Over half a million disabled people in England live in areas with restrictions on disabled bus passes. Under the statutory minimum, disabled people can only use their bus pass between 09:30 and 23:00. Local authorities can voluntarily offer ‘enhancements’ that extend validity hours or offer free travel for companions. But there is a postcode lottery, with some areas providing a range of enhancements, and others just the statutory minimum.

Removing time restrictions on disabled bus passes would remove many barriers and help more people into work, training and education. It would also allow disabled people to be more independent and participate actively in their communities.

You can sign the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/end-the-postcode-lottery-restricting-disabled-bus-travel

We’re inviting you to take part in a unique research experience on Tuesday 5th May (10am–4pm), led by Craig Anderton fro...
30/04/2026

We’re inviting you to take part in a unique research experience on Tuesday 5th May (10am–4pm), led by Craig Anderton from Birmingham City University.

This isn’t just about trying something new; it’s about having your voice heard.

You’ll explore a Virtual Reality experience designed specifically for people who don’t rely on vision, using sound and a haptic vest to guide you through a virtual space. Afterward, you’ll be invited to share your thoughts: what worked well, what didn’t, and what could be improved.

Your input will directly contribute to:
Future accessible VR games
Inclusive training environments
Best practices in immersive technology

Sessions last approximately 90 minutes
Book via Eventbrite to register your interest
A suitable time will be arranged with you after booking

If you’re curious, passionate about accessibility, or just want to try something completely different, this is a brilliant opportunity to get involved.

Find out more about this unique experience (link in bio): https://bit.ly/VRatBCT

The Outlook Trust is a small charity that provides adventure sports activity weekend breaks and holidays for blind and p...
29/04/2026

The Outlook Trust is a small charity that provides adventure sports activity weekend breaks and holidays for blind and partially sighted children and young people with disabilities.

They have been successfully organising residential activity weekends in Windermere for twenty five years and are now accepting bookings for their 2026 programme. There’s a series of dates available starting in April and running each month through til October.

Find out more and book: https://outlooktrust.org/

Check out the new bi-monthly series brought to you by blind and partially sighted young adults which explores day-to-day...
28/04/2026

Check out the new bi-monthly series brought to you by blind and partially sighted young adults which explores day-to-day challenges, misconceptions and shared experiences, offering helpful tips and raising awareness along the way. We are delighted to see BCT client Zehra featuring in the first episode!

The VICTA UK Changemakers is a year-long annual programme which brings young adults together who have a shared passion for the positive advocacy of young vision impaired people. The young people we work with tell us how important it is for their voices to be heard in a sighted world full of misconceptions around what it means to be blind.

The Changemakers have worked together from the project’s conception, creating a programme of episodes on the topics that matter to them. Appropriately naming their podcast series ‘See it our way: the VICTA podcast’, this new show strives to give visibility to their voices and individuality; help raise awareness; and be a source of inspiration and reassurance to their peers.

Episode one ‘How to be blind’ is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and the VICTA UK YouTube channel.

You can expect candid conversations, personal experiences and helpful tips for those navigating sight loss. It’s a magazine-style segment show that will bring a mix of serious topics and more light-hearted takes on everyday life. It will be an ideal listen for young VI people and parents of a VI child, but with the end goal of reaching a wider audience to help spread awareness and understanding.

Listeners can expect a new episode every other month as it alternates monthly with VICTA’s other new podcast show, ‘The VICTA Parent Voice’.

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-be-blind/id1880313383?i=1000751718586

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1umpzY2eR7yrTLlggfzixp

Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/97a08cbc-06b6-4db0-95ab-49f4f90477c1/episodes/c33edbe5-714f-49cb-9d10-0f8a0cbabdec/see-it-our-way-the-victa-podcast-how-to-be-blind

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/

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6a Hove Park Villas
Brighton
BN36

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