What is Connecting Families, and what is its aim?

Connecting Families is a series of online group sessions hosted by RSBC and designed to bring together parents and carers of children and young people with vision impairments. Our aim is to create a safe, supportive space where families can share experiences, learn from each other, and build lasting connections.

“We know that having a child who is blind or partially sighted can sometimes feel isolating. Many parents tell us they don’t know anyone else in their community who truly understands what they’re going through. That’s why we created Connecting Families.” - Mandie, Head of Family Support at RSBC

 

Parent support for all age groups

The challenges and questions parents face change as their child grows, so we’ve created four age-specific Connecting Families groups:

Early Years – Topics like potty training, sensory play ideas and choosing the right nursery or school.

Primary – Support around school transitions, friendships and building independence.

Secondary – Navigating teenage years, building confidence and preparing for exams.

16+ – Guidance on moving into adult services, leaving education and planning for the future.

Each group meets monthly online from 7-8pm, making it easy to join from home. And each age group has its own private WhatsApp community, so conversations and friendships can continue between sessions.

 

What are the benefits of joining Connecting Families?

·        Shared understanding. It’s an opportunity to talk to people who truly ‘get it’ because they’ve been through similar experiences.

·        Practical advice. Each session is hosted by RSBC Family Practitioners, and they often feature guest speakers and specialists in different areas. This means parents receive expert guidance, alongside tips from other parents and carers.

·        Emotional support. Knowing that you’re not alone reduces feelings of isolation and builds confidence.

·        Empowerment. Parents gain confidence in supporting their child as they grow, and feel equipped to handle challenges.

·        Community. Connecting Families helps parents develop lasting friendships and become part of a supportive network.

 

Parent and carer feedback – what we learned

In late 2025, RSBC’s Family Support team hosted several focus groups with parents and carers to understand what they need most from Connecting Families. We asked about the kind of sessions that would feel helpful and supportive and how we could build on the fantastic groups already in place.

These conversations were invaluable. Parents shared ideas for new topics, requested different specialist speakers, and gave feedback on the structure of sessions. All of this has shaped what we have planned for 2026.

“Thank you for organising the research and for giving parents and carers the opportunity to share our experiences.” - A parent who took part in the research

“In 2026, we’re bringing new topics and expert-led sessions to help parents feel supported. Connecting Families is about building a community where you can share experiences and learn from each other. If you think you could benefit, now is the perfect time to join us!” - Harriet, Family Activity Coordinator

 

Upcoming Connecting Families events in 2026

You can find all our upcoming Connecting Families sessions in the RSBC What’s On Guide. Browse our events and sign up for the sessions that interest you!

For the first few months of the year, our groups will focus on:

·         Early Years
Emotional Wellbeing in Early Years Families, Habilitation Skills, Preparing for Transition to Primary School

·         Primary
Children’s Emotional Wellbeing, Transition to Secondary School, Navigating SATs

·         Secondary
Children’s Emotional Wellbeing, Accessible Technology and Safe Tech Use, Navigating Exams

·         Post-16
Exploring Apprenticeships, Emotional Wellbeing in Young People, Supporting Your Child’s Revision Skills

 

Would you like to get involved?

If you’re a parent or carer of a child with vision impairment, these sessions are for you. Join our community, share experiences and build lasting connections.

Visit the RSBC What’s On Guide to sign up for upcoming sessions.