Family services for blind or partially sighted children

How VICTA can help your family

VICTA can support your family in a number of ways. Our programme of activities include Family Weekends, Family Days and Early Years Days, all designed to encourage parent support networks, provide information and improve the emotional, social and living skills of the children and young adults we support. Once your child reaches the age of 10, they can choose to join activities tailored to their age group. Depending on age these activities range from day challenges to residential breaks to international expeditions. All our activities are designed to support independence, build confidence and change perceptions of what is possible. Visit our pages for pre-teen activities (10 to 13), youth support (14 to 17) and young adults (18 to 29) to find out more.

Grant applications can be made towards the purchase of equipment which helps with your child’s visual impairment e.g. braillers, computers and magnification software.

Getting involved

Can VICTA support me?

VICTA can support children and young people from birth up to 29 years.
To qualify for VICTA grants, activities and services applicants must be either registered or registrable blind or partially sighted as determined by visual acuity.
VICTA supports children and young people who are UK residents. Please see specific terms and conditions for grant applications.

Why get involved?

At our Family Weekends, by engaging in outdoors adventures including sports such as kayaking, abseiling and climbing, children are encouraged to lift their personal boundaries and set higher expectations for themselves. Individual and group activities help to increase confidence and build friendships. At the same time, parents are encouraged to see their child’s true capabilities and remove limits.

Through family-focussed recreational outings, children are given hands-on learning opportunities that teach verbal communication and social skills to build confidence and self-esteem.

On all our family activities parents meet other parents and build an essential network of support and friendships.

Our Early Years Days are designed for parents new to raising a child who is blind or partially sighted. These retreats offer a comfortable and safe environment for parents to connect with others who have a first-hand understanding of what they are going through. Parents learn important tools and tips to help them support their child to reach important developmental milestones.