Be inspired. Showdown players tell us how the sport that’s for everyone has helped their mental health
This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek VICTA Sport wants to highlight that sport is for everybody and that sense of being part of something and supporting each other can have a really positive impact on your mental health. We chatted to Ellie, Millie, Al, Zehra and Sam, who have all come to showdown in different ways and at different stages in their sight loss journey, but can all agree on the fun, friendships and confidence they've built by giving it a go! Find out what showdown is, why you should give it a try, and how to find a team to play [...]
Young Achiever’s Poetry Win!
'My Special Eyes' by Young Achiever Dotty We want to say a huge congratulations to one of our Young Achievers, Dotty! Dotty recently entered a poetry competition through her school and was selected to have her poem published in the Young Writers Wonderverse anthology, Embracing Moments. We interviewed Dotty to find out more about her poem 'My Special Eyes'. Dotty wrote her poem in braille, and it was transcribed into print for the anthology. You can read Dotty's champion work below - well done Dotty! My Special Eyes I have special eyes They [...]
Changemaker Tegan: Creating a Blind Community on TikTok
How I raise awareness on TikTok Hi, I’m Tegan and I’m 19 years old. I was born blind and have very limited vision; I’m a brailleist and a white cane user. Alongside studying at university, I am a passionate activist. I used to be a member of the Welsh Youth Parliament and am now a proud VICTA Changemaker! I started making TikTok videos because I wanted to show people that being blind doesn’t hold me back, and that I can still achieve all the things I want to despite the barriers I face. In [...]
Upcoming Opportunities in Goalball
Look out for these brand new opportunities with Goalball UK Throughout February and March you can sign up for a couple of fantastic opportunities to try out - or return to - goalball. Check out the details from Goalball UK: Mersey Sharks Goalball Academy Aspire Day – Liverpool Date: Sunday 9th of February – 12:45pm until 4pm Venue: Anfield Community Sports Centre Lower Breck Road, Liverpool, L6 0AG This day is for you if you want to: Learn how to play goalball or improve as a player. Have fun and meet new people. Discover goalball clubs near you. [...]
Pieces of Hope: a Playlist Diary of my Self-Discovery Journey
My Playlist to Self-Discovery In 2022 I wrote a piece accompanied by a playlist of songs and lyrics that help me 'spill brain' and communicate when things are getting a little too much. Since then I have written another piece about how I have finally been able to achieve my goal of taking up a dance class. This has proven an inspiring time of self-discovery for me. Without knowing, one of my dance teachers consistently chooses music that has turned the dancefloor into a space for me to take pause and connect with the world around [...]
I couldn’t work for 8 weeks because my DWP disability payments were delayed
One of our Changemakers has a story to share... Yahoo News has just released an article all about our wonderful VICTA Changemaker Bilaal. The article addresses delays to the Access To Work scheme and how these are negatively impacting visually impaired employees. Bilaal's experience features to raise awareness on this issues and highlight how changes need to be put in place. To check out this important news piece and support our Changemaker Bilaal, click here.
Tactile Times Online Advent Calendar
Tactile Times are in the Christmas Spirit! Tactile Times have just launched their fully accessible, online advent calendar for the third year in a row. Are you tired of print advent calendars that just feel like...well...paper? This one is different. It is fully accessible with all major screen readers using a computer or phone, and you can access it with a BrailleNote Touch as well. You might even hear a few familiar voices along the way! You can visit it to open the first couple of doors right now. Tactile Times will have a new [...]
New Technology: The Hable One External Braille Keyboard
Is the Hable One Worth It? As a blind Apple fan, I rarely leave the house without my iPhone. I use it for everything: sending and reading messages; making phone calls; Googling; online shopping; reading articles and social media; ordering Ubers; watching TV shows; listening to Spotify... the list goes on. But despite being one of the most accessible devices in my arsenal, there is one thing I find challenging about the Apple iPhone: typing. I'm a lot slower at typing on a touch screen than I am on a BrailleNote Touch. [...]
Choose Respect for Anti-Bullying Week 2024
It’s Anti-Bullying Week! As a proud member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, VICTA is delighted to be celebrating this very important week, from Monday 11th to Friday 15th November. Join in with us on the VICTA Student Portal to learn more and encourage others to Choose Respect. Choose Respect This year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme is Choose Respect, so that children and young people can feel empowered to do something positive that will combat the harm and hurt caused by bullying. How have you shown Respect? Comment on this post or email students@victa.org.uk letting us know how you have shown [...]
New opportunity – Blind In Business Pathways Service Events – Autumn 2024
Please see the information below from Blind In Business about their upcoming events for this autumn... Building Prospects Part 2 Building Prospects is a fun, peer led program of hour-long workshops, designed to empower blind and partially sighted young people between the ages of 13 and 18. We create a confidence building, supportive environment which helps participants explore pathways towards the career of their dreams. We will explore and equip participants with CV writing tips, how and where to job search, an interview master class and opportunity to practice mock interviews with leading employers in [...]
