S1 Ep972: Roll Out of New Child Disability Payment System in Scotland Could Mean an Increase in Benefits
22nd November 2021 will see the introduction of a new Child Disability Payment system in Scotland replacing Disability Living Allowance for young people which could mean an increase in benefits for some young people. The roll out from DLA to the new Child Disability Payment is already underway and will continue over the next few months. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dominic M...
5m Oct 14, 2021
5m
S1 Ep969: Natural Inclusion
Getting back to nature is something that became even more popular with people through lockdown, Ellies been finding how you can connect to nature from the comfort of your own home. To find out more about Natural Inclusion please visit their website here  Nature Connection And Sensory Immersion | Natural Inclusion (natural-inclusion.org) (https://www.natural-inclusion.org/) Image shows: RNIB C...
6m Oct 14, 2021
6m
S1 Ep969: Christmas is just around the corner!
If you've not started thinking about Christmas yet then you can't have been in a supermarket recently because advent calendars, snowballs and mince pies are already on the shelves! Our Ellie Marsh has been catching up with one company who make accessible advent calendars for blind and partially sighted people. If you'd like to find out more about Braille Greeting Cards, please visit their web...
7m Oct 14, 2021
7m
S1 Ep967: Katriona Taylor Releases Her 5th Album Blind Passion in Time For World Sight Day 2021
Katriona Taylor is a visually impaired Jazz Singer/Songwriter who has recently released her 5th album ‘Blind Passion’ where Katriona has rearranged songs by a number of blind musicians including Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles along with some of her own compositions in time for World Sight Day 2021 (Thursday 14 Oct 2021) to raise awareness of the eye Condition Stargardt’s disease which Katriona h...
8m Oct 14, 2021
8m
S1 Ep969: Westonbirt Arboretum's Sensing Nature Tours
Stereotypically if a blind or partially sighted person was going for a walk out in the woods, they might take a guide with them, but one programme at Westonbirt Arboretum is flipping that convention on its head, Ellie's been finding out more. To find out more and book onto a Sensing Nature Tour, please visit their website here Sensing Nature Guided Walks | Forestry England (https://www.forestr...
6m Oct 13, 2021
6m
S1 Ep968: Angela Charles Comes Out As A Visually Impaired Artist in Her New Exhibition and Film - What Are You Looking At?
What Happens if you are a successful Artis and you find out that you are losing your sight, do you keep your sight loss a secret or shout about it? Well RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey has just caught up with one such artist, Angela Charles, who is telling the world about coming out as a Visually Impaired Artist in a new Arts Council funded exhibition ‘What Are You Looking At?’ and an accompan...
12m Oct 13, 2021
12m
S1 Ep966: Connect Voices Round Up 13 October 2021
Max Conway, RNIB's National Involvement Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Help to improve digital information access for individuals who are blind and partially sighted Research into low vision services - RNIB want to hear your stories good and bad to set the standards for Low V...
6m Oct 13, 2021
6m
S1 Ep965: The Highlands ECLO
ECLOs are irreplaceable. The support they provide in clinics is so helpful to blind and partially slighted people and today our Ellie Marsh has been catching up with one ECLO who just so happens to cover the biggest geographical area in the UK. Image shows: RNIB Connect Radio Logo 
6m Oct 12, 2021
6m
S1 Ep965: New Extant production States of Mind - Interview with Director and Writer Christopher Hunter
Christopher Hunter is a visually impaired Theatre Director and Writer who has turned Shakespeare’s poem ‘Venus and Adonis’ into a new Extant production ‘States of Mind’ for this year’s Bloomsbury Festival.  The performance of ‘States of Mind’ will be on Saturday 16 October at 8.30pm at RADA Studios, 16 Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX. As with many Extant productions the performance has integra...
10m Oct 12, 2021
10m
S1 Ep965: Martin Ralfe goes Viral!
With over a million views on TikTok, Martin Ralfe is breaking down pre-conceptions that some people may have about blind and partially sighted people. Our Ellie Marsh has been finding out how and why he does it. If you'd like to follow Martin and watch more of the content he creates, you can find his TikTok here Martin Ralfe - Blind Techy (@martinralfe) TikTok | Watch Martin Ralfe - Blind Tec...
9m Oct 12, 2021
9m
S1 Ep963: Thomas Pocklington Trust Training Opportunity!
Time now to hear about an exciting new opportunity for a blind or partially sighted people looking to gain new skills that lead to employment. To find out more about this training scheme and how to apply here: Salesforce training programme for blind and partially sighted people launches in the UK - Thomas Pocklington Trust (pocklington-trust.org.uk) (https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/news/s...
6m Oct 10, 2021
6m
S1 Ep964: RNIB Counselling and Mental Health Service Working in Partnership with Our Sight Loss Sector Partners
In the next feature of our new series of interviews looking at how the RNIB is working in partnership with charities and organisations across the sight loss sector to make a more inclusive and accessible society for blind and partially sighted people, Connect Radio’s Toby Davey checks in with members of the Strategic Engagement Lead - Third Sector Team here at the RNIB, this time to focus on th...
9m Oct 08, 2021
9m
S1 Ep963: RNIB Scotland Getting Back Out There Event!
Ellie's been finding out about an event in Inverness to get people out and about and help to build back their confidence.  To find out more about the even please visit the groups Facebook page here (11) RNIB Connect - Scotland | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/514413978897041) You can contact Mike by calling him on 01313 788 927  Image shows, RNIB Scotland Logo. 
6m Oct 08, 2021
6m
S1 Ep963: Award winning Blogger Chloe Tear talks to Connect Radio!
Chloe Tear is an award winning Blogger who just recently had her work recognised by the Yorkshire Blogger Awards. Ellie caught up with Chloe to find out more about the award and what blogging has meant to her since she started 8 years ago. To find out more about Chloe you can follow her on all social media platforms by searching for Chloe Tear and you can read her blogs here Landing page - Chl...
11m Oct 08, 2021
11m
S1 Ep961: National Poetry Day: 'The Blind Poet' Dave Steele
Red Szell talks to 'The Blind Poet' Dave Steele on National Poetry Day.
6m Oct 07, 2021
6m
S1 Ep960: National Poetry Day: Julie Murphy
Red Szell talks to Julie Murphy on National Poetry Day
5m Oct 07, 2021
5m
S1 Ep962: VI Friendly Smart Washing Machine?
Are you in the market for a new washing machine but wonder if any of them out there are accessible to blind people?  Madleen Bluhm from RNIB’s Technology for Life team might just have the answer.   If you’d like more information on products like these or just general technology support for your gadget contact the team via RNIB’s Helpline – 0303 123 9999 – or email the team directly – TFL@rni...
11m Oct 06, 2021
11m
S1 Ep959: Registered Blind Arts exhibition COP 26!
Time now to catch up with Emma Major, a registered blind artist who has a very special connection to the COP 26 Climate Conference, Ellie's been finding out more. To find out more about Emma please visit her website here: Home | LLM Calling (https://www.llmcalling.com/)   Image shows: One of the pieces from the Caring for Creating Collection.
9m Oct 05, 2021
9m
S1 Ep958: October Blind Ambition!
Blind ambition is back for a second series and Ellie's been finding out from a series one graduate just where it can lead To find out more please visit this website events (blindambition.co.uk) (https://www.blindambition.co.uk/blog/categories/events)   (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words '...
8m Oct 03, 2021
8m
S1 Ep991: Booker Prize Winning Author 2020: Douglas Stuart
Booker Prize Winning Author of 2020, Douglas Stuart, talks to RNIB Connect Radio's Red Szell for the Books of His Life.
8m Oct 03, 2021
8m
S1 Ep958: Sense Adventures
What to do when you see a gap in the market? There's a product or service missing that you would use yourself, Ellie's been catching up with one lady who spotted a gap in the market, and filled it To find out more about Sense Adventures please visit their website here: Sense Adventures - Activity holidays for the blind and visually impaired (https://www.senseadventures.co.uk/)   Image shows, ...
8m Oct 01, 2021
8m
S1 Ep956: Connect Voices Round Up 29 September 2021
Charlotte Jones, RNIB's National Involvement Coordinator, shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in. Opportunities highlighted this week include: Your chance if you work with a sighted guide to help Beatrice, a PHD student at City University of London with her research to help shape the design of future assistive technologies to strengthen sight...
7m Sep 29, 2021
7m
S1 Ep957: How to help stop new changes to the Elections Bill that affect Blind and Partially Sighted Voters!
There are some proposed changes to the elections bill that will affect the way blind and partially sighted people can vote. RNIB are trying to stop these changes, Ellie's been finding out more. To find out more and write to your MP please visit this website Everything you need to know about the Elections Bill - RNIB - See differently (https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaigning/priority-campaigns/voti...
7m Sep 29, 2021
7m
S1 Ep955: Charity Chief Exec’s Weekly Update 25/09/21
Each week we chat with RNIB’s CEO Matt Stringer to discuss the big news affecting the charity. As National Eye Health Week comes to a close for this week's catch up with Matt Stringer, we start with a reminder about all the eye health information that is available from the RNIB website as well as the very useful eye condition booklets which were developed with the Royal College of Ophthalmolog...
10m Sep 25, 2021
10m
S1 Ep954: Haggeye is back!
Haggeye is a dedicated campaign group for blind and partially sighted people living in Scotland aged 16-27. Another great thing to come out of the lifting of restrictions is the return of Haggeye! Ellie's been catching up on what Haggeye is and how you can get involved! If you want to find out more about Haggeye please visit their website Youth engagement: Haggeye - RNIB - See differently (htt...
7m Sep 23, 2021
7m
S1 Ep953: Collaboration is Key!
Collaborations are a great thing, Ellie's been finding out how two organisations on the Yorkshire coast collaborated to give blind and partially sighted people an exciting opportunity. To find out more about Coastline Sight and Hearing Community visit their Facebook page here: Coastline Sight and Hearing Community | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/csandhc/)   Image shows RNIB Connect Logo
6m Sep 22, 2021
6m
S1 Ep952: Smartify App Could Be a Real Game Changer for Access to The Arts for Visually Impaired People
Smartify, a mainstream smartphone app which provides greater access to information about works of art on display in museums and galleries for sighted people, could also be a game changer in access to museums and galleries for blind and partially sighted art lovers too. Smartify is a UK developed mainstream app that is being used in museums and galleries both in the UK and around the world and ...
11m Sep 22, 2021
11m
S1 Ep952: RNIB New Eye Health Advocacy Project Working in Partnership with Our Sight Loss Sector Partners
In the next feature of our new series of interviews looking at how the RNIB is working in partnership with charities and organisations across the sight loss sector to make a more inclusive and accessible society for blind and partially sighted people, Connect Radio’s Toby Davey checks in with members of the Strategic Engagement Lead - Third Sector Team here at the RNIB this time to focus on the...
5m Sep 22, 2021
5m
S1 Ep953: Your RNIB Young People's Groups!
Ellie's been catching up with Adeel from the West Yorkshire Young Peoples group about what it means to find people your age who understand sight loss. To find out more about your local Young Peoples Group, look on your local RNIB Connect Facebook page. Image shows, RNIB Connect Radio Logo
5m Sep 22, 2021
5m
S1 Ep951: RNIB's Big Jump!
RNIB's Big Jump is happening this Saturday, fundraisers will be taking to the air and jumping out of planes all to raise money for RNIB. Ellie's been catching up with one jumper to find out how he's feeling. If you want to find out more about the RNIB Big Jump please visit this website: Skydiving: The Big Jump September 2021 - RNIB - See differently (https://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundr...
7m Sep 21, 2021
7m
S1 Ep950: New Audio Description Course with Royal Holloway University
If you're interested in audio description and how we can improve it then stay right where you are, Ellie's been catching up with Rachel Hutchinson from the Royal Holloway University about their new course and why they're looking for blind and partially sighted people to take part.  If you want to find out more information about the course, please visit their website here: Creating Audio Descri...
7m Sep 19, 2021
7m
S1 Ep948: Charity Chief Exec’s Weekly Update 18/09/21
Each week we chat with RNIB’s CEO Matt Stringer to discuss the big news affecting the charity. This week Matt talks about; the ending of the weekly £20 up lift to Universal Credit, how this will impact on blind and partially sighted people who are in receipt of Universal Credit and how visually impaired people can with the help of the RNIB's Legal Rights Service contact their MP to urge the Go...
8m Sep 18, 2021
8m
S1 Ep949: Charity Chief Exec’s Weekly Update 17/09/21
Each week we chat with RNIB’s CEO Matt Stringer to discuss the big news affecting the charity. This time Matt talks with our Toby Davey about the ending of the weekly £20 uplift to Universal Credit and how RNIB is lobbying MPs from all sides to urge the Government to keep the uplift,  National Eye Health Week and the importance of regular eye tests, the Great North Run, and the upcoming London...
8m Sep 17, 2021
8m
S1 Ep946: Henry Moore - This Living Hand Accessible Exhibition
Normally in many museums and galleries especially around sculptures there are notices up to say ‘do not touch’ which can make the experience a bit tricky for blind and partially sighted people who might like to explore the sculptures through touch. Well the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens in Hertfordshire have an exhibition titled ‘This Living Hand’ where visitors are definitely invited to touc...
11m Sep 17, 2021
11m
S1 Ep945: Who are My Sight York?
My Sight York are a charity which aim to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people in York and empower them to live well with sight loss. Ellie hears how a charity in York working along side Positive Eye is arming parents with extra skills to help their blind and partially sighted children learn. To find out more about My Sight York please visit their website here:  MySight York ...
7m Sep 17, 2021
7m
S1 Ep945: One Blind Student's University Experience
Daniel Swain a former student of the University of Sheffield, left university after just a few weeks due to what he says are a institutional failings in disability support which left him unable to partake in his studies.  Ellie caught up with Daniel to discuss his experience and to discuss how we can improve the experience of disabled students in higher education.  You can find support as a st...
8m Sep 17, 2021
8m
S1 Ep947: Blind Ambition is back for a second series!
With the success of the first series of Blind Ambition RNIB are about to launch their second series! Ellie's been finding out more. To find out more about Blind Ambition please visit their website here. events (blindambition.co.uk) (https://www.blindambition.co.uk/blog/categories/events)   Image shows: RNIB Connect Radio Logo
8m Sep 17, 2021
8m
S1 Ep943: Septembers Macular Society Webinar
Every month the Macular Society hosts their virtual clinic focusing on different macular conditions with experts in the field, but this months is a little different, Ellie's been finding out more. If you want to find out more or sign up to this webinar please visit the Macular Society website here: www.themacularsociety.org/virtual-clinics (https://www.macularsociety.org/support/virtual-clinic...
5m Sep 16, 2021
5m
S1 Ep944: What's Coming From Apple?
Let's talk tech! Last night tech-giant Apple unleashed a host of new products and our Tech Talk crew caught up to chat the good, the bad, and the underwhelming? If you need some accessible tech support, RNIB's Technology for Life Team can support you, just get in touch by calling the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email tfl@rnib.org.uk. Or you can always drop an email to our Tech Talk guy...
12m Sep 15, 2021
12m
S1 Ep942: Connect Voices Round up 15 September 2021
Max Conway, RNIB's National Involvement Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in. Opportunities highlighted this week include: Sight Loss Councils (SLCs), funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust - seeking blind and partially sighted volunteers interested in advocacy and campaigning Call for Research Participants to make the DWP’s Access...
6m Sep 15, 2021
6m
S1 Ep941: Ending of the £20 Up Lift to Universal Credit
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic a weekly uplift of £20 was added to Universal Credit to help people weather the financial storm of the pandemic. However, he Government is due to end the weekly uplift at the end of September which we know will have a huge impact on many visually impaired people in receipt of this support. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dominic Miln...
6m Sep 15, 2021
6m
S1 Ep939: Windows Of The Soul - An Exhibition Shining The Light on Different Eye Conditions
'Windows Of The Soul’ is an exhibition at the Lumen United Reform Church in London from 15 - 24 October 2021 as part of the Bloomsbury Festival in which Lindsay Whitelaw, founding artist of the exhibition, has collaborated with a number of visually impaired people and artists to show case a range of eye conditions as the visually impaired people respond to some of Lindsay’s art work and how Lin...
9m Sep 13, 2021
9m
S1 Ep940: How students with sight loss are being effected by inaccessible exam portals.
The Thomas Pocklington Trust has been working with students through the pandemic to try and make online working as accessible as possible. Ellie's catching up with Tara Chattaway to find out more about some of the issues students have faced. To find out more about the Thomas Pocklington Trust you can visit their website www.pocklington-trust.org.uk (https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/) Imag...
7m Sep 13, 2021
7m
S1 Ep938: Charity Chief Exec’s Weekly Update 11/09/21
Each week we chat with RNIB’s CEO Matt Stringer to discuss the big news affecting the charity. This week Matt talks about the transfer of the VILD services in Scotland from the RNIB to SENSE, the appointment of Chris Jarrett as RNIB’s new Director of Fundraising and a call for blind and partially sighted people to urge their MP’s to sign the Early Day Motion on safer train stations with tactil...
7m Sep 11, 2021
7m
S1 Ep937: Why It's Important To Talk About Wills & Legacies
As this year's Remember a Charity Week draws slowly to a close, it's important to consider the role gifts in wills play in supporting UK charities. Looking back at the week, and in fact, the whole year, here's Steven Scott chatting with Remember a Charity director Rob Cope.  After taking care of your family and friends, remembering to make even a small gift in your Will, can have a huge impac...
9m Sep 10, 2021
9m
S1 Ep936: Charity Chief Exec's Weekly Update 11/09/21
Each week we chat with RNIB’s CEO Matt Stringer to discuss the big news affecting the sight loss charity. This time around, our Toby Davey caught up with Matt to talk  transfer of the VILD services in Scotland from the RNIB to Sense, the appointment of Chris Jarrett as RNIB’s new Director of Fundraising, and the Early Day Motion on tactile paving at train stations urging VI people to encourage...
7m Sep 10, 2021
7m
S1 Ep932: An RNIB Legacy Pledger
Remember a Charity Week runs from 6 to 12 September and it's a perfect opportunity to consider passing on something wonderful by leaving a gift in your Will. Today we're hearing directly from a Legacy Pledger for RNIB. Our Ellie Marsh talks to Paul Goddard about the reasons why he decided to do this and just how easy it was to do. After taking care of your family and friends, remembering to m...
6m Sep 09, 2021
6m
S1 Ep935: Raising money through creativity
People raise money in all kinds of way, Ellie's been catching up with two Jewlers from the handmade Jewlery company The Divine Occult about their All Seeing Eye collection to raise money Retina UK and the deeper meanings behind their designs. To find out more about The Divine Occult please visit the Facebook page: The Divine Occult | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheDivineOccult) Image s...
5m Sep 08, 2021
5m
S1 Ep934: Disability Discrimination
Unfortunately, Disability Discrimination is still something blind and partially sighted people face, Ellie has been finding out about one woman's experiences of being denied entry to two restaurants on the same morning and about how we can push forward for change. 
8m Sep 08, 2021
8m
S1 Ep933: How Your Will Could Support A Good Cause
Remember a Charity Week runs from 6 to 12 September and it's a perfect opportunity to consider passing on something wonderful by leaving a gift in your Will. Hear our Allan Russell chat to Lorna McPherson-Reed, from RNIB, and Alexis Fairclough, from Bequeathed, to learn more about legacy giving and why past legacies have helped the charity through the pandemic. After taking care of your famil...
8m Sep 08, 2021
8m