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
