Author: Look

Volunteers at LOOKFest with their canes in the air. Photo features three recent graduates: Craig, Abbie and Kim.

VI Young People: We are recruiting University Mentors!

Apply now to be a University Mentor (and we’re also looking for student mentees). Deadline for applications is Monday 21st August 2023.

Group photo of our LOOKFest volunteers on the site with their canes.

News: Report and photos from LOOKFest 2023

We’re back from a fantastic LOOKFest 2023! Thank you to all the families who joined us.

Jane Ring, Parent Support Officer, centre, wearing her LOOK t shirt. She is with the Parent Support Group Steering Group - fellow mums of VI children - they have their arms around each other and another raised in the air in a cheer.

Families: Parent Support Group

Our free, fortnightly peer-led Parent Support Group is a safe place to meet others and talk about the issues our visually impaired children face.

Chloe, Jane's daughter, having fun in ball pit

Resource: Making the most of the summer holidays

How can we make the most of the summer holidays for our VI children and all the family? Here are some top tips!

Close up of Chris in rugby kit, holding a rugby ball in both hands. He has a full head of dark brown hair and a beard.

Q&A: Graduating into work as a VI young person

Are you a VI student about to move into the world of work? This one’s for you. We caught up with Chris, a LOOK Mentor, to ask him some quick questions about his experience as a young VI graduate moving into his teaching career.

Sydney and Maria at the Retina Conference in London

Out & about: LOOK team championing VI young people

Catch up with what our team have been up to this week, travelling around the country, championing visually impaired young people.

Resources: Talking Transitions

Transitions are always a key point in a VI child or young persons life. As parent carers we want to support our children and ensure everything is in place to make sure the transition between each stage goes as smoothly as possible.

Neil, Jane and Chloe with Buddy Dog Sapphire on a bridge with Warwick Castle and moat behind them and trees full of leaves either side.

Experience: Warwick Castle (a happy, accessible family day out)

Jane Ring, Parent Support Officer at LOOK, on the wonders of Warwick Castle for families living with visual impairment.

Mentor Ellie on the train - she is in a window seat with green trees close to the window outside, and empty seat next to her and she has her cane

Experience: Overcoming train travel anxiety

A visually impaired young people shares their experience of severe anxiety around train travel and how they overcame it.

A close up photo of Megan Adams, Student Mentor Project Officer at LOOK. She is wearing a rainbow striped sweater and has long brown hair and round wire framed glasses.

Student Hub: Supporting VI students

Welcome to our new resource hub for visually impaired students. We begin with a mini series studying STEM subjects & a shout out for Student Mentors.

The mentor team standing in front of a smart London building (Georgian style) with a shiny black door. From left to right: Shani (who left in April), Elin - with guide dog Lucy - Charlotte, Syd, Megan A, and Ruth - with her pull-along suitcase.

Meet: Our LOOK Mentor Project team

Our small but mighty Mentor Project team train and oversee our 130 volunteer LOOK Mentors. All of the team have eye conditions which impact their

Mentor Warren in action playing Goalball. He has his knees bent and has a ball in his right hand, ready to throw.

Resource of the Week: Encouraging Positive Participation in Sport for VI Young People

Does your visually impaired child dread their PE lessons in mainstream school, is it hard for them to access clubs in the community and be fully included? This free resource is for you!

News: Hay Festival VI Accessibility Audit

Thank you to Hay Festival for inviting LOOK to do a VI accessibility audit. Watch a short video of Charlotte Carson, CEO of LOOK, speaking from the festival site.

Resource of the Week: Parent Advice – Mental Health and Anxiety

For Mental Health Awareness Week, catch up on this positive session for parent carers living with visual impairment.

Explainer: Peer mentoring matters

Experience has shown us that visually impaired young people are best supported by those that have personal experiences of living with a visual impairment. The mentor role can be hugely rewarding – supporting others, while boosting your own self-development and confidence too.