Children and young people with visual impairments from across East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian are coming together through a programme of visits and outings organised by Sight Scotland's Outreach Service.
The trips are hugely popular, giving young people with visual impairments the chance to meet others, make new friends and enjoy spending time together.
One of the latest outings saw 22 pupils visit the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for a day of discovery, learning and fun. With each trip, pupils are getting to know one another better, becoming more comfortable in the group and growing in confidence.
For many of these children, being the only young person with vision impairment in their class can sometimes feel isolating. These trips give pupils the chance to make friends, build confidence and enjoy time with others in a supportive environment.
Karen Boyd, Depute Head Teacher at the Royal Blind School, and Outreach teacher, comments: "These trips give children and young people the opportunity to meet others who understand many of the same challenges and experiences they face. For some pupils in mainstream education, they may be the only young person with a visual impairment in their class, which can sometimes feel isolating. Coming together with others in similar situations helps them realise they are not alone.
"Most importantly, these trips give them the chance to have fun, make friends and enjoy new experiences in an accessible environment where they can simply be themselves. It is wonderful to see pupils grow in confidence and come out of their shells. Every time we get together, the conversations are livelier, the laughter is louder and new friendships continue to form. You can see the positive difference it is making to their confidence and wellbeing, and that's what makes these outings so special."
"I’m so glad he went along, he was so happy afterwards. Although all he could remember was the glass elevator! I was so worried he would be quiet and hide away, but I’m glad that wasn’t the case. Thank you for organising this, it is very much appreciated."
The museum visit began with a special tactile What's in the Box? session, where pupils explored a range of fascinating objects through touch. Items included a dinosaur fossil, replicas of the famous Lewis Chessmen and an ancient Egyptian mirror, which some thought felt more like a pizza cutter than a mirror.
The group then enjoyed an accessible tour of the museum and took part in a session exploring the history of communication, from Morse code through to the development of the telephone.
The visit also included a talk from Anne Dignan, a former teacher, storyteller and advocate who is visually impaired. Anne shared her own sight loss journey, speaking honestly about both her successes and frustrations. Her message to the visually impaired children and young people was that everyone faces challenges and there will be good days and difficult days, and that sight loss is only one part of who they are, not what defines them.
Parents of outreach pupils who attended the trip were full of praise for the experience and the positive impact it had on their children.
Another parent shared: "I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday. It is safe to say that R had the best time. I also wondered whether you could pass a message back to A's school and parents. Not many older boys are willing to take on the chat of a hyper eight-year-old for a full day, but A was so kind to R and really made him feel as though he had a best friend all day."
One pupil summed up the day simply as: "Best day ever."
Ailsa Brien, Schools Engagement Officer, National Museums Scotland, added: “It was lovely to be involved and we really enjoyed seeing the pupils engage with our collections. We really hope to have the pupils back again soon to explore more of the museum!”
Sight Scotland's Outreach Service supports children and young people with visual impairments in mainstream schools across Scotland, helping them access education, develop independence and reach their full potential alongside their peers. The service works in partnership with local authorities, schools, teachers and families, providing specialist expertise in visual impairment directly within mainstream education settings. Support is tailored to each pupil's individual needs and goals.
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