BLIND toddlers have been given a boost after a specialist nursery group opened in Eltham.

The new Greenwich Parent and Toddler Group, which is run by Royal London Society for Blind People (RSLB), offers support to visually impaired under fives and their parents and is believed to be unique in South London.

Activities such as singing, playing in a ball pit, and creating musical shakers kicked off the launch event at the end of last month.

There are around 20 partially impaired toddlers in the borough and the RSLB says there is a real “need” for this service to prevent isolation in the future.

Dr Tom Pey, RLSB’s Chief Executive said: “The RLSB has a clear goal which is to support blind young people to learn to cope with their sight loss, and then help them live beyond it.

“We have helped hundreds of children over twenty years at our existing Dorton House Nursery near Sevenoaks in Kent.

“We want more children and their families to benefit from our expertise, which is why we have launched the Parent & Toddler group in Greenwich, as we firmly believe there is a need in this area.”

The weekly meet-up the Toy Library Newhaven Gardens aims to build communication skills, confidence and creativity, and ease of movement.

Visually impaired children up to five years of age can drop in with their families to play and learn from 10.30am to 12.30pm every Friday.

People can donate to the charity at rlsb.org.uk/donate or by texting 70007 to contribute £3 to the Little Heroes Nursery Appeal cause.