Lauren’s 17 and from North Wales. She’s been using RSBC services for three years, after her Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (QTVI) recommended the charity as somewhere that she could access additional services.
Challenges of Vision Impairment
She said, “My visual impairment (VI) has impacted me in a lot of ways. It affected my independence and my access to work and resources, as well as my friendships groups and how I did things more generally. As a VI person, it can be difficult to take part in activities such as putting on makeup or trying out different hairstyles. Anything to do with beauty is very visual, and that would make me feel left out.”
RSBC offers a variety of groups for young people, and Lauren found that there were several that she wanted to join and be a part of. “I’m a member of the Youth Forum, a group that wants to create real change by championing the voices of blind and partially sighted children and young people, and Sisterhood, which is for young women. Plus an LGBTQ+ group has just launched – I’ve joined that, too.”
Supporting Inclusion
Inclusion plays a big part in the groups that Lauren’s joined, and she’s found that particularly true of Sisterhood, where sharing experiences and knowledge and providing support comes naturally. “Sisterhood focuses on different topics such as mental health, accessing education and discussing the opportunities that we can access as young women with visual impairment,” she explained. “There are about 30 of us in the group chat, and usually about 15 people attend our online meetings. Sisterhood is a safe space for me, and I really look forward to meeting up – it’s great to have a strong, supportive circle of people you know you can rely on.
“I feel that being able to speak to other VI women to understand their experiences and find ways to overcome barriers has been good for me.”
Providing Support and Gaining Confidence
And Lauren’s delighted to have been able to provide support herself. “I’ve spoken to a couple of younger girls and given them different tips and tricks – I’ve suggested other services they might try, for example. They hadn’t had much support in the past, and I helped them access new resources.”
Pursuing Passions and Empowering Others: Lauren’s Advice
“In my spare time, I enjoy art and playing video games – I enjoy Forza, but I want to widen the range of games I try. Plus, I’m really into makeup and doing my nails. I take tips from VI content creators, though there aren’t many – I’ve only found two so far. I started my own Instagram last week, and I’d like to inspire women in the same way at some point.”
Finally, what advice would Lauren give to other young women who may be in a similar situation to her when she was 14? “I’d say to them that although things might seem difficult right now, it will get easier, and you’ll discover better ways of doing things to overcome barriers. For me, RSBC is definitely the best place to access services, so I’d recommend getting in touch with them,” she said. “In particular, join Sisterhood – I’ve found it inspirational. I feel included, and there’s a real sense of community.”
Sisterhood and other vital activities are funded through the kindness of our wonderful supporters. Donate today and you could help other young women like Lauren feel included, learn new skills and feel part of a community.
> View our Calendar of Activities