About Us

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the worst thing about being blind is being unable to see. We work with blind young people every day and we know there is an untold, darker story around childhood sight loss. It is not the lack of full sight that is the problem but the lack of confidence, resilience, friends and hope for the future rather than the sight loss itself that has the most damaging effect on these young people, as shown by the statistics below:

> Two out of five blind children have no neighbourhood friends to play with
> One in four children under 12 is depressed
> 90% of blind young people will never work for more than six months of their life
> Nearly seven out of ten blind and partially sighted people are on the poverty line.

For nearly 200 years the Royal London Society for Blind People has been helping blind and partially sighted young people in London and the South East, not only to cope with their sight loss but, even more importantly, to build their resilience, challenging them to have the right mindset to accept their condition and to spark their ambition so they can live the life they want for themselves.

Wherever possible, we take our services into the heart of the communities where blind young people live. This enables the young people to readily access the services and importantly feel like they are part of their local community.

We provide a ‘Learning toolbox’ which is an expert blend of sports, education, and creative and developmental services which builds their confidence, encourage independence and help nurture friendships so that they can play a real and active part in their local community and live their life beyond their blindness.


Press releases

Hundreds of runners brave heavy rain to take part in UK's first...

2 November 2014 Hundreds of runners take part in UK's first Blindfold Run at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 140 pairs of runners braved heavy... read more

03.11.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Stephanie Nala delights blind young Londoners at City Hall event with...

Stephanie, who has been a contestant on this year's X-Factor, last Saturday performed to a 100-strong crowd to close the Royal London Society for... read more

26.10.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

London Comedians join in the London without Limits festival fun in...

Comedians Arthur Smith and Chris McCausland will join David Page and Joey Morgan for a very special edition of Comedy in the Dark on October 20th.... read more

15.10.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

“Paris here I come!” Blind13 year-old girl from West London set to jet...

Earlier in the year blind and partially sighted 11-18 year olds living in West London were given the chance to win an exclusive trip to Paris by... read more

29.09.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

“Give us the chance to shine.” New resource to help more blind young...

The Royal London Society for Blind People, a leading charity for blind and partially sighted young people has launched a dual purpose resource... read more

27.06.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Are you brave enough to run 10k blindfolded?

RLSB, London’s leading charity for blind young people, launched the UK’s first Blindfold Run challenge today at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park... read more

12.06.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

‘Writing my way to Paris’ – a competition for blind and partially...

Blind and partially sighted 11-18 year olds living in areas surrounding Heathrow airport can win an exclusive trip to Paris by entering a creative... read more

23.05.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

“We’re taking control of our future.” Ground breaking manifesto for...

London based youth forum for blind young people unveils the country’s first ever manifesto, highlighting the realities blind young people face... read more

04.03.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Royal London Society for Blind People and Royal Blind Society announce...

Following formal discussions The Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB) and the Royal Blind Society (RBSoc) have agreed to form an... read more

04.03.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Samantha Cameron hosts No.10 reception for blind young Londoners

Samantha Cameron hosted a reception at No.10 Downing Street in aid of blind young Londoners who are struggling to overcome poverty,... read more

06.02.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Paratriathlete World Champion backs charity for blind young people

The Royal London Society for Blind People welcomes world no.1 Paratriathlete and Rio hopeful Melisssa Reid as ambassador RLSB is proud to... read more

04.02.2014 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

London celebrities back special event for blind young Londoners

Olly Murs, Eliza Doolittle, Tim Campbell and Britain’s Got Talent band The Luminites added their support to the Capitals’ first ever youth event... read more

02.12.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

‘Give us an app for a seamless journey say blind young people to...

Vision impaired (VI) young people working with RLSB, a leading charity that supports blind young people in London and the South East, are calling... read more

28.11.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Alan Titchmarsh creates sensory oasis garden for blind young brother and...

**Invitation for interviews** Alan Titchmarsh transforms garden of blind young brother and sister into sensory oasis on ITV’s Love your Garden.... read more

08.08.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Blind Chief Exec of London charity for blind children climbs O2 to kick...

Dr Tom Pey, Chief Executive of the Royal London Society for Blind People last night scaled the roof of the O2 to fundraise for specialist support... read more

23.07.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

RLSB response to 'Big leap' towards curing blindness in stem cell study...

Britain has always had proud record as a world leader in research into preservation of sight. The news today is another major step long that... read more

22.07.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Blind Chief Exec of London charity for blind children set to climb the...

Dr Tom Pey, Chief Executive of the Royal London Society for Blind People is set to scale the roof of the O2 in a bid to raise money for specialist... read more

22.07.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

England Cricket Captain Alastair Cook makes surprise visit to blind...

The England Cricket Captain, Alastair Cook, took time out on Monday to play cricket with twenty blind young Londoners from the Royal London Society... read more

13.06.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Outstanding early years care for vision impaired toddlers comes to...

Parents with young children are warmly welcomed to join the RLSB at its new Parents & Toddlers group at the Chandos East Centre in Stratford on... read more

31.05.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

New street works system that will boost confidence in independent travel...

“Sight Line” a new system of signalling street works to vision impaired people, designed by the Royal College of Art and RLSB (The Royal London... read more

17.05.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Youth sight loss charity CEO slams controversial Bedroom Tax

And calls on London mayor to establish business-backed relief fund to stop vulnerable young people being “sacrificed on the altar of financial... read more

09.04.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

Children with vision impairment need more early years support if they...

The RLSB (the Royal London Society for Blind People) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have launched a report which... read more

20.02.2013 • By The Royal London Society for Blind People

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