Guide Dogs Children and Young People Services (Northern Ireland)

We provide children and young people with related movement skills such as getting safely around inside and out for blind and visually impaired children. We help parents and families from babies upwards to cope and develop their child using play and other techniques to develop milestones such as reach, grasp, sit, explore, engage and respond to their environment. We support early organisation skills, movement and self-management skills for older children and support parents adapt life and support their child’s skill development. We also provide support for children and families with complex needs to support stimulation of movement and awareness. We work with and through a wide range of other professionals including teachers, early years, social workers, OT’s, physios. Most importantly, we engage with parents to support early indicators of developmental delay due to sight loss. We aim to provide specialist assessment which will address motivation to move & explore in child's environment so they meet their milestones. We offer a 0-4 group in 4 areas of NI for parents and children affected by sightloss. These are play based sessions for very early independence skills. Areas for 0-4 are: - Belfast (Newtownbreda/Saintfield Road), - Ballynahinch, - Banbridge, - Jordanstown. Referral to this service by: GP, Health Visitor, Hospital, School, Self, Social Worker, Ophthalmology, Family or Education.

Email temporarily changed from belfast@guidedogs.org.uk to Andrew.murdock@guidedogs.org.uk