Physical Activity Forum 2026-2027

• Sport and Physical Activity

Wednesday 2 September 2026
10:30 am to 11:30am
Zoom

We know the positive impact that even small amounts of physical activity can have on a person’s life, so this forum supports the development of local provision by sharing and exploring ideas for enhancing physical activity opportunities.

We aim to look at trends and new opportunities, showcasing different sports and activities available to blind and partially sighted people.

On 3 June, we are delighted to be joined by guest speaker Matthew Cole, Founder of Rolling Blind BJJ which is an initiative focused on making Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu accessible to people with vision impairments. Matthew will share the early development of the project, insights from pilot sessions and opportunities for collaboration with organisations interested in adaptive sport.

As a visually impaired athlete who competes in the sport himself, Matthew created the project to demonstrate that grappling can be an inclusive and empowering activity for blind and partially sighted people.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is uniquely suited to athletes with vision impairments because it is built around physical connection, balance, body awareness and tactile feedback rather than visual cues. This allows participants to develop confidence, movement skills and resilience in a supportive environment.

Through Rolling Blind BJJ Matthew is beginning to run introductory sessions designed specifically for visually impaired participants. These sessions focus on safe movement, partner awareness, basic grappling positions and controlled problem-solving exercises that build both physical ability and self-confidence.

The aim of the project is to work alongside charities, community organisations and sports providers to create more opportunities for visually impaired people to experience Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Longer term, the goal is to establish regular sessions and workshops that support wellbeing, physical activity and community connection within the vision-impaired community.

For: Visionary members and partners only. Please note that only registered members and partners will be able to attend; other registrations will be cancelled or removed. To find out more about membership, see our membership page at Join Us | Visionary or email Visionary (opens email).

Frequency: Quarterly, on the first Wednesday of the every third month (January, April, July and October), 10.30 AM to 11.30 AM.

New registration required from 1 April 2026

If you have previously registered for this forum, you will need to register again for this new cohort starting from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Once you have registered for this new cohort, you will be able to join future sessions up until 31 March 2027 using your new registration details.