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We’re delighted to be supporting RNIB’s ‘Braille and Beyond’ tour celebrating 200 years of Braille.
About Braille 200
Louis Braille was in his teens in the mid-1820s when he began developing the six-dot tactile reading system that enables millions of blind and partially sighted people around the world to access the power of literacy. From September 2024, RNIB is leading a year of celebrations across the UK to recognise the bicentenary of the braille code; braille continues to unlock access to countless opportunities in education, employment and independent living.
Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, RNIB and its partners will highlight braille’s versatility for representing written language and technical subjects, enabling blind and partially sighted people to learn, work and play.
Despite its proven benefits, misconceptions about braille persist. Braille 200 affords us an opportunity to dispel some of those myths. Braille remains crucial in a world increasingly reliant on digital information. It complements audio technology and ensures independent and efficient access to detailed and personal information such as recipes, medication packaging and greetings cards. You do not have to be blind from birth nor super intelligent, braille can be empowering at any age.
Press Release
9 September 2025
RNIB makes final Gateshead stop on UK ‘Braille and Beyond’ library tour to celebrate two hundredth anniversary of braille
Blind and partially sighted people who use braille – the system of raised dots which enables people with sight loss to read through touch – will gather at Gateshead Central Library on Wednesday 24 September to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the invention of braille.
The event is organised by leading sight loss charity The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Gateshead Central Library and Sense Ability Matters and marks the final stop on a year-long RNIB ‘Braille and Beyond’ UK tour of libraries to mark the landmark anniversary. It is made possible by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
People from RNIB, Gateshead and surrounding boroughs are invited along to view a special braille exhibition, try out the very latest in braille technology, hear talks from RNIB and Sense Ability Matters and hear from people for whom braille has transformed their lives. Dave Williams, Chair of The Braillists Foundation will also speak about his lifelong association with braille.
James Bowden, RNIB’s Braille Technical Officer who is blind and a lifelong braille user, said: “Braille is reading designed for our fingers, just like print is designed for our eyes. It’s a vital tool that helps blind and partially sighted people lead fulfilled lives. Braille readers are more likely to be employed than blind people who don’t read braille, and this highlights a critical need to expand braille education, ensuring that more
children with vision impairment and adults with sight loss can benefit from this powerful tool.
“Supporting braille education and resources is a crucial step towards an inclusive society. We’re doing the RNIB Braille and Beyond tour to celebrate the story of braille so far, and it will be up to blind and partially sighted people across the UK to write the next chapter.”
Denoise Envy, Library & Heritage Manager at Gateshead Libraries said: “Gateshead Libraries are delighted to be hosting the finale event of RNIB’s Braille 200 tour. We are looking forward to welcoming a range of exhibitions and speakers, sharing the latest innovations, and inviting local schools to experience braille and technology which helps to better support the blind and partially sighted community.”
New Funding Boost for Community Voice Project Supporting Disabled People Across Gateshead and South Tyneside
In the photo left to right: Sarah French, CEO, Sense Ability Matters; Mark Richardson, Community Voice participant; Danny Hall, Community Voice participant; Ed Turnbull, Community Voice participant; Catherine Stocks, Funding Officer, The National Lottery Fund; David Woolley, CEO, Your Voice Counts.
Local charity Sense Ability Matters (SAM), in partnership with Your Voice Counts, has secured over £460,000 from The National Lottery Fund to continue and expand its highly regarded Community Voice project over the next five years.
The Community Voice project has already supported nearly 800 people since 2021, providing opportunities for people with sensory, physical, and learning disabilities to connect, develop confidence, and have their voices heard. Thanks to the new funding, the project will now enter its second phase and support over 1,280 people across Gateshead and South Tyneside between 2025 and 2030.
Community Voice will continue running group activities co-designed by participants. It will focus on improving individuals’ emotional wellbeing, reducing loneliness, and supporting disabled people to challenge barriers and influence local services and policies through a new co-production hub.
Sarah French, Chief Executive of Sense Ability Matters, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have received this support from The National Lottery Fund. Community Voice is about ensuring people who are often overlooked have the opportunity to shape the world around them. We know the difference this work makes — from tackling loneliness to helping people feel confident and heard. With this new funding, we can continue building on what participants have already achieved, and create even more connection, self-advocacy and change.”
The project was officially launched at a celebratory event today, attended by project participants, staff, volunteers, and representatives from the National Lottery. One participant of the project said;
“My wife and I both agree that I was suicidal after my sight loss and if it wasn’t for the intervention of Sense Ability Matters I wouldn’t be here. Attending SAM groups has given me a different perspective on sight loss and the way others cope, making me feel I’m not alone”
Community Voice is delivered in partnership with Your Voice Counts, and supports people with sensory impairments, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, autism, and other long-term conditions. It builds on a participant-led model that encourages shared learning, collaboration, and positive change in the wider community.
July 2024
A local charity has received the backing of the Mayor of South Tyneside.
Councillor Fay Cunningham, the Mayor of South Tyneside, has given her support to a local charity by officially opening its new premises in South Shields.
Sense Ability Matters (SAM) has moved to New Green Street and is based in a premises that was previously occupied by BLISS=Ability, which closed earlier this year.
The Mayor of South Tyneside was joined by Susan Wear, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear, as well as SAM service users and supports for a tour of the new venue.
Image: The Mayor of South Tyneside, Cllr Faye Cunningham, has officially opened Sense Ability Matters’ new premises, in South Shields.
Speaking at the opening, Cllr Cunningham said: “It’s wonderful to have the building open and serving the community again – which has always happened here.
“This building started out as a working men’s club serving pints to the community, before being transformed into an accessible space serving information, advice and guidance to disabled people and their families.
“And now Sense Ability Matters will continue to serve the community from this building by providing a range of activities that help South Tyneside to be a place where people live healthy, happy, and fulfilled lives.”
Image shows, from left: Stella Matthewson, Mayoress of South Tyneside, David Appleton, community voice co-ordinator at SAM, Mavis Maughan, community champion at Asda, Cllr Faye Cunningham Mayor of South Tyneside and Sarah French, chief executive at SAM.
Sarah French, chief executive at SAM, expressed her delight at being able to welcome the local community to the new venue.
She said: “We’re thrilled to see so many of our clients and supporters here today, to show them round our fantastic new space and to thank them for their support.
“We can’t wait to welcome the community to join us at our new location, participate in our activities, and take advantage of the support we offer.”
SAM has confirmed that the new location will host its ‘Chatty Cafe’ and serve as a welcoming space for the entire community.
It will also feature a meeting room, which will be available for hire, and welcome activities such as carers’ events, digital drop-ins, equipment demonstrations, craft sessions and more.
From left: Sarah French, chief executive at SAM and Carol McAllister, operations manager at SAM