Free online event · Parents & carers
Beyond the Sidelines: Building Sports Confidence and Inclusion
A free online session to equip parents and carers of visually impaired children with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to include their visually impaired children in games, sport, and physical activity.
Reserve your free placeHelping your child join in, on their terms
Sport and physical play matter. They build confidence, independence, friendships and life skills that last well beyond the playground or the pitch. But as a parent or carer of a visually impaired (VI) child, knowing how to make games, sport and physical activity accessible can feel daunting — whether that’s a kickabout in the garden, PE at school, or joining a local club.
Beyond the Sidelines is a free, one-hour online session in partnership with British Blind Sport, bringing together lived experience and expert knowledge. You’ll hear directly from a Paralympic gold medallist and an England blind football captain, both of whom bring personal and professional insight into what inclusive sport can really look like.
Whether your child is just starting to explore sport, or you’re preparing to push for better PE provision at school, this session will leave you with practical tools and a stronger sense of what’s possible.
What you’ll take away
- Practical skills for home Actionable, easy-to-try ways to adapt games, sport and physical activity for your VI child at home.
- Confidence to advocate The tools and confidence to speak up for your child’s right to take part fully in PE at school and in community sport.
- Real, lived experience First-hand insight into how sport builds independence, confidence and skills that last a lifetime.
- Ongoing support and connection Links to national sports development networks, British Blind Sport resources, and follow-up support after the session.
Meet your speakers
Lora Fachie OBE PLY
Workforce Development Officer, British Blind Sport
Lora is a retired Paralympic tandem cyclist and multiple gold medallist who has been blind since birth. Raised with a strong emphasis on independence and physical activity, she’s now mum to a visually impaired three-year-old son. Lora is passionate about helping create a world where children like him can grow up confident, independent and able to thrive.
Roy Turnham
England Blind Football Captain & Sports Development Lead, British Blind Sport
Roy is the current England blind football captain and has worked in sports development for more than 15 years. Alongside teaching PE to visually impaired children through EHCP provision, he runs a community interest company helping VI children and adults access physical activity locally — building confidence, independence and transferable life skills.
Elin Williams
Look Events Manager — Event Facilitator
Elin is the Events Manager at Look. She became a Look volunteer mentor after graduating university, and was then supported by Look to complete an Erasmus project volunteering in Belgium before starting her role at Look.
What to expect
This is a facilitated, one-hour online session combining expert presentations, practical guidance and a live Q&A. You’ll be able to submit questions when you register, and there’ll be time to ask more during the session itself.
- Lora Fachie OBE will share her personal journey as a blind athlete and parent to a VI child, and how she’s building confidence through movement at home.
- Roy Turnham will bring a sports development perspective — covering PE inclusion in schools through EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) provision, adapting activities, and building access to sport in your local community.
- Together, Lora and Roy will answer questions submitted in advance, plus live questions from parents and carers on the night.
Give your child the confidence to join in
Spaces are free but limited — book now to secure your place, and send us your questions in advance so our speakers can answer them live.
Sign up for Beyond the Sidelines