Sports and exercise positively impact physical and mental health. It can improve mood, reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem. We know people who are blind and vision impaired are more likely to experience loneliness and isolation – and that this can also lead to high levels of anxiety and that they may face barriers to getting out – including engaging in social activities such as sports and physical activity.
Read on for 13 ways to get involved in sports for the new year.
13 ways to get involved in sport for the new year
There are multiple ways to find a sporting activity near you. You can also participate in sporting activities and help raise money for Fight for Sight.
1. Green walks for people who are vision impaired
We funded MyVision Oxfordshire, an organisation that supports blind and vision impaired people living in Oxfordshire, to deliver a series of Green Walks.
The Green Walks project aims to break down barriers contributing to loneliness and isolation by setting up social walking groups that allow VI people to access nature whilst meeting and socialising.
Currently, groups are set up in Witney, Banbury, and East Oxford.
To learn more about the Green Walks projects and locations, email info@myvision.org.uk, or call: 01865 725 595. You can also listen to our free webinar on Breaking Down Barriers to Loneliness and Isolation through Green Walks, which we hosted in November 2024; it talks about the impact and success of the project.
Ramblers also has information on finding a well-being walk near you.
"One of the most beneficial things for me has been talking with other people."
2. London Blind Rambling Club
The London Blind Rambling Club also focuses on walking and socialising for VI people in the capital. They Host around 24 walks per year, mostly based in the home counties. They provide sighted guidance on their walks, and guide dogs are welcome! Find out more about the London Blind Rambling Club here.
3. Metro blind sports and social club
We’ve helped fund Metro based around Greater London and the surrounding areas.
The organisation encourages blind and vision impaired people of all ages and abilities to participate in sports and activities, including cricket, football, archery, athletics, tandem cycling, swimming, and skiing.
To learn more and get involved, visit the Metro Blind sports website.
4. Goalball UK: Try out a paralympic sport
Goalball is an inclusive paralympic sport designed for blind and vision impaired people. It is a ball game in which players try to score goals into their opponents’ net whilst trying to protect their own. It is played on a tactile court; the players all wear eye shades and rely on their hearing and touch to compete.
Goalball UK is the “driving force” behind promoting and growing the sport; they offer different clubs all around England and Wales who compete and get regular opportunities to go abroad and compete internationally.
Visit Goalball UK's website to find out more and get involved.
5. British Blind Sport: activity finder
British Blind Sport is the UK's national sports charity for children and adults with vision loss. It aims to empower and change the lives of vision impaired people by supporting them in living more active and healthier lives.
It has partnerships with other sports organisations such as Metro Sports and, in 2023, hosted the IBSA world games, which saw over 1,250 vision impaired athletes from 70 different countries compete.
- British Blind Sport offers a handy activity finder on its website where vision impaired people can search by postcode for nearby activities.
- Listen to our podcast below to find out more.
6. Be adventurous: outdoor activities
Vision of Adventure’s main goal is to organise outdoor activity courses such as cycling, climbing, sailing and triathlon for people who are blind and vision impaired. They are in the Lake District but support people throughout England and Wales. They act as a hub connecting VI people with sighted guides and can also facilitate groups of VI people to organise their trips and expeditions.
we funded Vision of Adventure to design imaginative ways to bring Vi adults together to keep active and socialise during the traditionally less active winter months.
7. Keeping kids active Royal Society for Blind Children
The RSBC is a national organisation that supports blind and vision impaired young people aged between 0-25 and their families throughout England and Wales. They provide a combination of support, learning, development, and social opportunities that help build skills so that vision impaired people can confidently navigate the future. It hosts sports sessions in person in their London Centre, and online.
Read more about RSBC's free sports activities here.
8. Sport in the city: London Sports Club for the Blind
London Sports Club For The Blind hosts various events throughout the year. Activities range from regular events such as rowing down to the yearly holiday, which consists of a week full of exciting activities, including horse riding, quad biking, swimming, canoeing, and many other exciting opportunities!
Visit London Sports Club for the Blind’s website to find out more.
9. ESAB VIAble: regional activities
VIAble is a sports and social group based in Brighton and Hove for people with sight loss. They are a member-led group of 18 and over. They are part of East Sussex Association of Blind and Partially Sighted People. You can contact Chris Dutton to find out more by calling 01273 730906 or visit their VIAble website to find out more.
10. North of England: Henshaws
Henshaws supports people in the North of England living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to “go beyond expectations” in various ways, including a sight loss service, a specialist college and an Arts And Crafts Centre.
In addition to these, they also offer sporting events and other exciting experiences.
You can find a list of Henshaw events here.
Sign-up for our free webinar and hear directly from Henshaws about the work it is delivering with our funding.
11. Join a dancing group.
If there’s anything we’ve learnt from Chris McCausland’s win on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, dancing is very much on the table and is a fun way to exercise and stay fit. Although EXTANT is primarily a performing arts organisation, they also offer some dancing as well. You can access Extant’s No Dramas workshops online on selected dates.
12. Expanding access to football
Wolves Foundation is the charitable arm of Wolverhampton Football Club, but they are working with Beacon Centre for the Blind to make all their football sessions accessible for vision impaired people rather than VI people having to wait for specific sessions just for them. Not only does this provide more regular sessions for VI people, but it also integrates them into the mainstream club. We are currently funding these sessions.
13. England and Wales Blind Golf
Blind golf is a team game comprising of a visually impaired player and a sighted guide or caddy. They follow the same rules that all golfers follow with a few minor adjustments.
The guide is the players eyes and describes how the ball is sitting, the distance to the hole, hazards, bunkers and direction. They line up the player and club. Once the ball is hit they describe how the ball flies and the result. On the putting surface they line up the putt.
England and Wales Blind Golf has three categories. These are internationally accepted. More info can be found here at British Blind Sport.
Their members tell us that learning, playing and competing gives them confidence, hope and strength. Members know that they are not alone or isolated and there are fantastic opportunities ahead of them.
Get in touch on enquiries@ewblindgolf.co.uk
Already a golfing enthusiast? The Warwickshire Fight for Sight Committee is holding their 30th Golf Day in aid of Fight for Sight on 2 July at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club. You can find out more and register your interest here.
Get involved and fundraise for us
Looking for another challenge? Fight for Sight offers opportunities to participate in challenge events, including runs and swimming, while raising funds to Save Sight. Change Lives.
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