Primary school children across Wales are learning about the importance of protecting their eyesight and staying safe around potential hazards on farm thanks to a partnership between the Wales Farm Safety Partnership (WFSP) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
During National Eye Health Week, WFSP and RNIB are highlighting the educational value of Nice to See You, Bob!, the third title in the popular Bob book series, which combines practical farm safety messages with important lessons about protecting eyesight and understanding sight loss.
More than 1,200 copies of the book have already been distributed to primary schools across Wales. To ensure it is accessible to as many children as possible, the book is also available in braille.
As part of National Eye Health Week activities, The Welsh Whisperer and Bob the Sheepdog have visited schools across Wales, helping children understand the importance of looking after their eyesight, recognising potential risks, and staying safe when around farms, machinery and the countryside.
The Bob books are published by the Wales Farm Safety Partnership and use engaging stories and characters to encourage conversations about safety among children, families and farming communities.
Sian Tandy a member of the Wales Farm Safety Partnership said:
“Farms can present a number of risks to our eyes, from dust and debris to chemicals and machinery. Through Nice to See You, Bob! we can help children understand why protecting their eyesight is so important, while also encouraging safe behaviour on farms and in the countryside.
Working alongside RNIB has enabled us to make this important safety message accessible to even more children through braille editions and school visits across Wales.”
An RNIB spokesperson said:
“Helping children understand sight loss and visual impairment from an early age can build awareness, empathy and inclusion. Through our partnership with the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, we are using engaging stories to introduce these topics while reinforcing practical messages about protecting eyesight and staying safe.”
