Living Paintings

About

This is an independent service, which is not run by the NHS or WSCC.

This service is not checked by WSCC and including it on the Local Offer website does not mean that it is a recommended service.

Before using this service, we recommend you make your own checks. Your checks should include being happy that: the service will meet your needs; staff are properly qualified; policies are in place to keep everyone safe and you know how much the service will cost.

Use this guidance for advice about what to ask to help you make sure that children and young people are happy and protected in clubs, groups and activities. Find out more on our terms and disclaimer.

---

Living Paintings, founded in 1989, brings stories and learning to life for children who are blind or visually impaired. The charity operates a free nationwide postal library of audio tactile books containing tactile images, clear braille inserts and audio descriptions that guide readers through all the illustrations, making visual stories and learning accessible through touch and sound.

What we do

• Audio tactile books with clear braille inserts, tactile images and detailed audio descriptions to bring stories to life for children who are blind or visually impaired.
• Our audio tactile books are provided through a free UK-wide postal library.
• We provide audio tactile versions of the most popular pictures books with over 300 titles in our library.
• We provide discovery sets which are linked to national curriculum learning stages and subjects to inspire or fuel a new passion.

Age range

0-upwards

Wheelchair accessible

No

Free to use

Yes

Requires application

Yes

Our users say

Teacher - “By having touch and feel texts alongside their peers students have felt valued and included. There is no part of the lesson that they cannot access due to having a text and resources catered to their needs. This has helped VI students in the class feel as if they are part of the class and not isolated doing something different creating a wholly inclusive environment.”

Parent - "She loves to share stories with her friends. The books have allowed Ivy to access her ‘nursery’ stories the same way her friends do. Ivy loves to invite her friends in nursery to touch and feel the books with her. Ivy looks forward to sharing her stories with all grown-ups in her life."

Teacher - "The confidence boost has been the biggest impact and has impacted hugely on their motivation for reading independently and reading for pleasure. This has helped them across the curriculum with their learning too."