Visual Non-Visual Network

Nurturing Our Community (NOC) is the official UK coordinator for the Visual Non-Visual Network (VNVN). Together, we are creating opportunities for blind, visually impaired and sighted people to connect, learn and take part in community life.

NOC’s connection with VNVN grew from our founder Lawrence Camilleri’s longstanding friendship and working relationship with the Hon. Noel Farrugia, who helped establish VNVN in Malta. Lawrence has supported its work over the years, and NOC now brings that connection into its role as VNVN’s UK coordinator.

VNVN's UK visit

NOC is facilitating a visit by VNVN members, connecting them with local people and places. The planned programme includes a private tour of a commercial horticultural nursery. At a local garden centre, VNVN members will display their arts and crafts and recite poetry. They will also visit Robin’s Nest to spend time with the ponies and treat them with carob pods.

VNVN is donating carob pods harvested by blind members. NOC plans to share the pods with local equine therapy and petting farms.

The visit will create opportunities to share skills and creativity, make new connections, and bring VNVN’s work to a wider UK audience.

Visiting the VNVN Network Project

NOC is working with VNVN to enable blind, visually impaired and sighted people from the UK to visit its project in Malta. The planned experience brings visitors together with VNVN members through tandem bicycle tours, olive and carob harvesting, and hands-on horticultural activities.

Visitors will have the chance to meet the people behind the work, take part alongside them, and learn how VNVN combines growing, creativity and inclusion. VNVN’s separate Meet and Greet programme also shows how its members are helping tourism and hospitality staff make visits more welcoming for people who are blind or have low vision.

We’ll share the programme and how to take part when the arrangements are confirmed