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Connections Service.
Connect with others in the low vision and blindness community to form friendships, gain support, enjoy recreational activities and share fun experiences together.
What is the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Connections Service?
Everyone connects in different ways, and that’s why our team has a range of activity options.
Guide Dogs’ Connections Service offers social and recreational activities for people with blindness or low vision, either in-person or online, across NSW and the ACT. From online chats to in-person café catch-ups, regular walks, trying new sports, attending special events or joining support groups with like-minded people, there are so many ways to get involved and meet new people.
Why use Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Connections Service?
When you take part in Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s Connections Service, you’ll find plenty of ways to connect, learn and have fun through social and recreational activities for people with low vision or blindness.
Through Connections, you can:
- Discover new accessible events and activities.
- Talk to and get support from others with low vision or blindness as you adjust to a new places like work or study, or a recent change in vision.
- Form connections with those who share similar experiences and interests and grow your confidence.
- Explore options for sports and recreational activities available in your area.
- Connect through online activities.
- Discuss your experiences and keep up with the latest gadgets and tech to make daily life easier.
What is available as part of the Guide Dogs Connections Service?
The Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Connections Service offers a mix of ongoing online communities and occasional social and recreational activities for people with blindness or low vision across NSW and the ACT. Some programs focus on specific topics of interest, while others act as support groups for people with blindness or low vision to help participants build community connection, share experiences, and engage with their peers.
And whilst these activities don’t run all year round, our online communities are always available to support connection and socialisation for people with low vision or blindness. Find out more about our online groups below or check out any upcoming planned social or recreational activities.
Client Connect Facebook Group
Client Connect is an online Facebook group where Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Clients can chat, ask questions and connect with like-minded people and the Guide Dogs community.
Parent Connect Facebook Group
Parent Connect is a Facebook group for parents of Clients to share ideas, tips and recommendations, and chat about what’s happening in their world.
What funding can I use to access the Connections Service?
We understand that some Clients who need our services may not be eligible to receive government funding. If you have low vision or blindness and you do not have access to external funding, we will support you to achieve your goals using funding provided by generous donations from the community.
Hear from Angela about how Connections activities have enriched their lives.
Angela has been walking with the Narrabeen Lakes Walking Group on the second Wednesday of every month for the past two years and loves the social interaction with other people, the beautiful scenery and the coffee catch-up afterwards at a local café. The group varies in number from five to 10 people and walks for 30 minutes to one hour.
Angela says, “It’s not just about getting to know others; it’s about learning new things as well. I get to exchange ideas, learn about the latest app, and share experiences with people who have the same challenges as me.”
Joining the Walking Group with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT was just the beginning for Angela and led her to try even more sporting activities as her confidence grew, including Blind Lawn Bowls and even running the City to Surf.
Of the Connections Service programs, Angela shares this advice: “If you’re hesitant about trying a sport or don’t know how to get there on public transport, talk to Guide Dogs. Give yourself time to adjust, and you will learn more about yourself.”
Cathryn’s story.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Client and self-proclaimed Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) fanatic, Cathryn and Client Connections Specialist and Dungeon Master (DM), Brendan have been playing D&D together for almost a year and a half with other group members. They’ve not only galivanted around fantasy realms, but have learned new real-world skills, grown more confident and developed new friendships.
When Cathryn was first introduced to the game by her friend three years ago, she “fell in love with it from day one.”
“Brendan’s ability to paint pictures with words is wonderful. For me, a big window opens up in my mind and I can see what he’s narrating. I just get absorbed instantly and it’s like a movie is playing out around me,” says Cathryn.
When Cathryn started playing, she noticed one of the shyer group members becoming more confident while playing their character. Cathryn even overcame her social anxiety to the point where she didn’t feel it anymore when she took the opportunity to run a series of games as the DM.
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