Lancashire Sight Loss Council welcomes nearly 80 blind and partially sighted people to its first inclusive sports event

Lancashire Sight Loss Council celebrated a record-breaking achievement as almost 80 blind and partially sighted (BPS) adults and children attended its first Let’s Get Active Day – the highest turnout for a Sight Loss Council event of this kind in the UK.

The event, held on Saturday 18 October and designed by and for BPS people, aimed to encourage visually impaired residents to try new sports and activities in a safe, supportive environment.

Held at Blackburn Central High School, the day offered a range of specially adapted sports suitable for everyone, including cricket, football, tennis, strength and conditioning, baseball, chair yoga, showdown, and boccia.

A group of people playing VI football in an indoor sports hall. A person in dark sportswear is about to kick a ball while others stand nearby, some wearing numbered jerseys. The hall has wooden flooring, basketball hoops, and a small goal net.

Delegates play blind football with a specially adapted ball that makes a sound.

 

A young female participant is stood smiling in an outdoor sports court holding a yellow rugby ball while another individual in sportswear provides guidance. Two more people stand further back, and the court is marked with white and blue lines. A grassy slope and fencing are in the background.

A coach teaches rugby with an adapted ball with high contrast

Legacy of inclusive sport

A hugely popular Tai Chi taster session was the highlight for many, sparking plans for funded Tai Chi classes for visually impaired participants in Blackburn.

Tai Chi instructor John Livesey, from Applied Tai Chi in Blackburn, said:

“I’ve already had one of the people who attended Let’s Get Active come along to one of my weekly Tai Chi classes in Blackburn. I’ve also been contacted by Blackburn Blind Sports Club who are interested in running Tai Chi sessions for their members.”

John worked with Betty Sutherland from the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain to ensure the session was accessible:

“I tried to rely on good descriptions of the movements, as well as tactile input, and I think it worked well. Tai Chi is ideal for people who are blind or visually impaired because it focuses on touch, balance and inner awareness rather than sight.”

Creating an inclusive space

A golf practice setup stands within an indoor sports hall. A participant is positioned on a mat, holding a golf club and aiming toward a net with several golf balls scattered on the mat. Another person holding a golf club stands nearby, observing. A basketball hoop and posters are visible in the background. In the foreground, the back of an individual can be seen watching them play.

VI golf

Sighted guides were on hand throughout the day to support participants. Beyond sport, the event gave people the chance to socialise, share experiences, and build confidence.

Kelly Barton, Sight Loss Councils Engagement Manager for the North West, said:

“It was a fantastic event, and we were delighted to welcome so many people. It was lovely to see children and adults playing sports together in such a supportive environment. It’s wonderful to leave a legacy from days like this, and I’m thrilled that Tai Chi will now continue as a regular activity.”

A child stands on an outdoor sports court holding a red-and-white ball in one hand, with the other arm extended as if preparing to throw. The child is wearing a green hoodie, black pants, and sneakers. Behind the child, an adult in a grey and red hoodie and jeans stands on the court. The background shows a fenced area with markings for multiple games and a few people seated near the fence. The sky is overcast.

Both children and adults benefitted from the event.

Lancashire Sight Loss Council volunteer, Lynne Rennison, added:

“Events like this not only benefit the community but give people the chance to socialise with others who are visually impaired or blind. You can see confidence growing throughout the day as people try new things, support one another and achieve a real sense of wellbeing.”

Feedback from participants

The event organisers received excellent feedback from Lancashire blind and partially sighted residents who attended the event.

  • Susan: “Loved the Tai Chi, I’m going to join his class!”
  • Tracey: “The Tai Chi was brilliant, and I’ve loved trying new sports like goalball and boccia. When you lose your sight, you often lose touch with friends because you can’t join in the same activities so it’s amazing to have somewhere to meet new people.”
  • Anaya (aged 8): I enjoyed goalball, boccia, showdown and blind football, and am already looking forward to trying more sports in the future.
  • Diane, who is also a Sight Loss Council member: “The Tai Chi was really good. I’ve taken the instructor’s details and plan to go to his local sessions.”
A participant wearing gloves and a blindfold stands at a wooden showdown table, ready to play. Several others are gathered around faced towards the showdown table. They are pictured in an indoor area of the school, which has red and cream walls, stairs, and posters on the walls.

Playing showdown

 

Jennifer Gardiner, a qualified teacher of visually impaired children who attended as a sighted guide, added:

“It was such an inclusive environment, bringing all ages together. In mainstream schools, visually impaired children rarely get to try sports like these. Days like this show what’s possible and can inspire a lifelong interest in physical activity.”

Thank you

Lancashire Sight Loss Council would like to thank all the volunteers, instructors, and local partners who made the day such a success. We would also like to thank Galloways for helping to transport participants on their minibus, and providing showdown and Boccia.

Let’s Get Active was a powerful reminder of how inclusive sport can transform lives – building fitness, confidence, and community.

Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager, Kelly Barton (left), and SLC Co-ordinator, David Parfett (right), are stood in the foreground wearing white hoodies with the SLC logo printed on them. They are smiling at the camera. Kelly is holding a blue navigation cane. In the background, six event participants are spaced out on an outdoor sports court, throwing a ball to one another that is visible mid-air. The balll is specially adapted and has a bell inside that makes a noise. A grassy embankment and fence line the background.

SLC Engagement Manager Kelly Barton (left) and SLC Co-ordinator David Parfett (right) stand infront of participants playing ball in the outdoor court.

 

Would you like to join Lancashire Sight Loss Council?

Are you blind or partially sighted, or know someone who is? Do you want to make a difference and drive meaningful change? Lancashire SLC is currently recruiting new volunteer members from across Lancashire. Learn more and how to apply at www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/join-us

 

 

Publication date: 30 October 2025

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