S2 Ep196: Impact Of Domestic Abuse On Blind & Partially Sighted People
Did you know 1 in 12 blind or partially sighted people are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year?  All this week, we’ve teamed up with SafeLives to discuss why blind and partially sighted people are more likely to experience domestic abuse and where people can go to get help and support. Amelia spoke to lead researcher of ‘The Unseen Report’, Nanya Coles from SafeLives...
10m Oct 24, 2023
10m
S2 Ep195: RNIB And Met Police Partnership Update
RNIB and The Metropolitan Police have been working together in order to help the Met provide a more inclusive and accessible service for blind and partially sighted people. Hubert has an update on the partnership, plus information on how you can get involved.
9m Oct 24, 2023
9m
S2 Ep194: More Help With The Rising Cost Of Living
During the current cost of living crisis, it’s more important than ever to make sure that those in need of extra support get the latest information on money saving and financial support opportunities. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Dominic Milne, from RNIB’s Legal Rights Service, about applying for the UK government’s Household Support Fund. If you’d like help from RNIB’s Legal R...
5m Oct 24, 2023
5m
S2 Ep190: TransPennine Express Stations are Now More Accessible with Tactile Maps for All
Train operator TransPennine Express who already offer a number of services for their blind and partially sighted passengers have just installed a number of new ‘Tactile Maps for All’ at a number of their stations, developed by the RNIB using a mixture of textures, Braille and raised print to help make navigating around their stations easier for blind and partially sighted passengers. RNIB Conn...
8m Oct 24, 2023
8m
S2 Ep193: Alistair Lee on his love of music, cars and parenting
We’ll visit Australia now to hear from Blind Voice Over Artist Alistair Lee on how he spends his time outside of work. You can learn more about Alistair by visiting his website alistairleevoiceactor.com (https://alistairleevoiceactor.com/) Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo
10m Oct 23, 2023
10m
S2 Ep192: Blind Voice Over Artist Alistair Lee
Time to head across the world for a chat with Australia’s only blind Voice Over Artist, Alistair Lee. He talked to Amelia about his career so far. You can learn more about Alistair by visiting his website alistairleevoiceactor.com (https://alistairleevoiceactor.com/) Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo
11m Oct 23, 2023
11m
S2 Ep191: Fighting Against Inaccessible Bus Stops In Cardiff
Access to Cardiff’s bus routes has become less accessible and more dangerous following changes to several city centre bus stops. Hywel Davies has been hearing how RNIB Cymru has been campaigning for much-needed change.
8m Oct 23, 2023
8m
S2 Ep190: Tom Pursglove, Minister for Disabled People Visits the RNIB New London Office, The Grimaldi Building
The Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove visited the RNIB’s New London office, The Grimaldi Building on Monday 23 October 2023 to not only have a tour of the building, meet staff but also attend a meeting with some of the RNIB Leadership Team to talk about the new Disability Action Plan. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with the Minister following his tour and just after his me...
6m Oct 23, 2023
6m
S2 Ep325: Joyce Cattanach Gift in Will to RNIB
Did you know that you can leave money to a charity in your will? RNIB’s Legacy Campaign Manager Louise Slott speaks to Joyce Cattenach about her experiences with RNIB and why she’s remembering RNIB in her will.
8m Oct 23, 2023
8m
S2 Ep188: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Northern Ballet Beauty and the Beast, AD Theatre Review
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar was reviewing Northern Ballet’s production of Beauty and the Beast at Nottingham Theatre Royal on Saturday 7 October 2023 at 2.30pm, with ...
8m Oct 20, 2023
8m
S2 Ep189: Strictly Come Dancing Sparkles with Live Audio Description!
Saturday night’s have become even more inclusive and accessible to blind and partially sighted Strictly Come Dancing fans as if you have audio description selected on your TV sets or selected on BBC iPlayer you may have noticed that now for the strictly Come Dancing Saturday night live shows there is live audio description too! RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined straight from the Stric...
12m Oct 20, 2023
12m
S2 Ep189: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 21 October 2023
Each week we sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week our Toby caught up with Matt during a tea break at the RNIB Social Change conference in Wembley with Matt firstly chatting about how the first day of the conference had gone, reflecting on key speeches from Love Island and RNIB Ambassador Ron Hall and sight...
7m Oct 20, 2023
7m
S2 Ep188: RNIB Connect Voices Round Up 18 October 2023
Alice Findlay, RNIB Customer Voice Insight Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Are you a young person who is out of work? Share your experience and receive a £20 Love to Shop voucher! A team of researchers in the Sociology Department at the Univ...
5m Oct 18, 2023
5m
S2 Ep185: Virtual Reality Company Looking For Blind Testers
Would you like to help shape the future of accessibility for Virtual Reality? VR Oxygen are looking for totally blind testers for a new virtual reality experience, as Tech Talk’s Callum Stoneman found out. Sign up for the playtest here - Sign up to participate in VR accessibility study (subscribepage.io) (https://subscribepage.io/vro2blindstudy) Image: VR Oxygen Logo, black text on a plain wh...
7m Oct 16, 2023
7m
S2 Ep187: Diversity Disco at the Pearce Institute in Govan
The Pearce Institute is hosting a free karaoke and dance night for adults with Disabilities in the Glasgow Govan area. Amelia talked to organisers Christina Findlay and Chris Tait to learn more. To book tickets and learn more, email christina.findlay@pearceinstitute.org.uk Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo
7m Oct 14, 2023
7m
S2 Ep180: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - RSC Macbeth, AD Theatre Review
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar was reviewing the RSC production of Macbeth Directed by award-winning Director Wills Wilson with Ruben Joseph as MacBeth at Stratford-upon...
8m Oct 13, 2023
8m
S2 Ep186: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 14 October 2023
Each week we sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk (http://www.rnib.org.uk/) You can also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image shows a clo...
7m Oct 13, 2023
7m
S2 Ep184: Latest Items From The RNIB Shop
As the holidays approach, you may be looking for gifts for those close to you. Dave Williams has been hearing all about some of the latest items available from the RNIB Shop. For more on the products available from the RNIB Shop, visit the website - RNIB Online Shop (https://shop.rnib.org.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=[campaign]&utm_term=&utm_content=[adgroup]&gad=1&gclid=C...
7m Oct 13, 2023
7m
S2 Ep183: Northern Ballet’s Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker, The Tortoise and the Hare Plus Romeo and Juliet with Audio Description
Time for a round-up of some wonderful and enchanting ballet productions coming up over the next few months and into 2024 from Northern Ballet with audio description for blind and partially sighted people as our Toby Davey is joined by Pippa Moore, Northern Ballet’s Artistic and Learning Assistant plus  Audio Describer. Toby and Pippa talked about the following Northern Ballet productions - Be...
8m Oct 12, 2023
8m
S2 Ep174: World Sight Day 2023 - International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Love Your Eyes at Work Campaign and Much More
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) the global alliance for eye health each year coordinates the annual World Sight Day, today Thursday 12 October 2023, raising issues around eye care for everyone across the world. With this year’s ‘Love Your Eyes at Work’ campaign they are highlighting the importance of eye care in the workplace. On World Sight Day 2023 IAPB are al...
9m Oct 12, 2023
9m
S2 Ep182: Philip Guston Retrospective Exhibition at Tate Modern
Philip Guston (1913-1980) is thought of as one of the most remarkable artists of the twentieth century. This Tate Modern exhibition is the first major UK retrospective of Philip Guston's work in 20 years, spanning more than 100 paintings and drawings from across Guston’s momentous 50-year career. Offering new insights into his formative early years and activism, his celebrated period of abstra...
11m Oct 11, 2023
11m
S2 Ep181: Emmy Anstee at RNC
Emmy Anstee has recently started at the Royal National College for The Blind in Hereford.  She spoke to David Hogg about how she’s settling in…
4m Oct 10, 2023
4m
S2 Ep180: The Private Life of Public Transport - An Immersive Art Installation by Artist David Van Eyssen
The Private Life of Public Transport is a new immersive art installation by Artist David Van Eyssen using virtual and mixed reality along with sound and light to open the door on the life, thoughts and dreams of a number of blind and partially sighted people to everyone. The Private Life of Public Transport is on as part of the London Frieze art fair, 11-15 October 2023 at Virtual Ghost, 36 Ea...
17m Oct 10, 2023
17m
S2 Ep797: AD Movie Review - Bettlejuice
Time for another Halloween review! This time, Allan and Amelia take a look at the audio described release of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice from 1988. Image shows Beetlejuice poster. Beetlejuice in his iconic white and black stripe suits sits on top of the white house from the movie. In his left hand he's holding the head of the recently deceased Adam, and standing behind Beetlejuice on the other s...
7m Oct 08, 2023
7m
S2 Ep176: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 7 October 2023
Each week we sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Matt chats with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about the RNIB’s presence at the Conservative Party Conference earlier this week and a very brief conversation Matt had with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.  News about an international meeting the RNIB will be ho...
8m Oct 07, 2023
8m
S2 Ep175: High Times And Dirty Monsters Tour
An exciting theatre show called High Times And Dirty monsters combines multiple performance styles to explore the lives of young disabled people. It's a co-production between between 20 Stories High, Graeae, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and LEEDS 2023 and integrates Audio Description and British Sign Language into the performance. Amelia talked to producer Leanne Jones and to cast member Bi...
13m Oct 06, 2023
13m
S2 Ep179: Blind Lawyer Arash Andalibi-Abadan
What’s it like being a solicitor when you’re blind or partially sighted? What are the challenges of meeting with new clients or even getting qualified? And how do you start your career path when you’re not quite sure where to begin? Hywel Davies has been speaking with someone hoping offer advice to those just starting out. Follow Arash's journey on Instagram @blindlawyer - Arash Andalibi-Abada...
10m Oct 06, 2023
10m
S2 Ep178: Some Audio Described Highlights From Mind's Eye Description
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio speaks with Anne Hornsby from Mind's Eye Description to look at some of the many Audio Described shows and performances around the UK. This week: more audio described highlights including a new tourist attraction, which gets the audio described touch. If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk (https://eur03.sa...
8m Oct 06, 2023
8m
S2 Ep177: What Support Is Out There When It Comes To Employment?
RNIB is there to help blind and partially sighted people who are looking for work, as well as those who lose their sight later in life and are trying to stay in employment. Allan Russell spoke to Raghu who reached out to the charity after losing his sight at the age of 40. Need support? Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk Image shows RNIB logo. Upon a white ...
11m Oct 06, 2023
11m
S2 Ep173: 10 Years Of The Active Travel Act In Wales
Are you able to make most journeys on foot? Should more be done to help people be more active in their travel choices? A recent event in Cardiff Bay marked 10 years of the Active Travel Act in Wales. Hywel Davies went along to find out the difference it’s made to the lives of blind and partially sighted people. Image: A large group of walkers and cyclists gather on the steps of the Senedd in C...
7m Oct 04, 2023
7m
S2 Ep172: Why Pavement Parking Is Dangerous And What You Can Do About It
Parking on pavements forces people to step out into the road and if you're blind or partially sighted, this can be even more dangerous. The charity Guide Dogs is asking the public to sign it’s petition to remind the government about the issue and put in place legislation to help crack down on pavement parking. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Pete Bungay, from Guide Dogs, and guide...
7m Oct 04, 2023
7m
S2 Ep171: Ken Reid Tests New Ways of Accessible Voting
On Monday 25 September 2023 at the RNIB’s London office the Grimaldi Building held an event around Accessible Voting for blind and partially sighted people looking at new ways to make voting more accessible for visually impaired people both now and in the future. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with long time RNIB Volunteer Ken Reid to find out what he thought of the accessible votin...
10m Oct 04, 2023
10m
S2 Ep169: RNIB Connect Voices Round Up 4 October 2023
Jemma Davidson, RNIB Customer Voice Insight Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Sight Loss and Mental Wellbeing Focus Groups RNIB is looking for blind and partially sighted people who would be willing to talk about their mental wellbeing in an o...
6m Oct 04, 2023
6m
S2 Ep246: Scottish Opera Barber of Seville Audio Described Performances
Scottish Opera are bringing a revived production of The Barber of Seville across Scotland this autumn, complete with Audio Described performances. David Hogg spoke with audio describer Veronica Kinehan to find out more about the production… For more information, head on over to scottishopera.org.uk (https://scottishopera.org.uk/)
5m Oct 03, 2023
5m
S2 Ep170: Important Update On Universal Credit And Tax Credits
The UK Department for Work and Pensions is making changes to payments and it’s important for anyone on means tested benefits to be aware of the migration to Universal Credit. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Dominic Milne from RNIB’s Legal Rights Service to hear more about the changes to tax credits and Universal Credit migration. If you’d like help from the Legal Rights Service, g...
7m Oct 03, 2023
7m
S2 Ep162: Transformed Jewel House at the Tower of London, Accessible Through Bookable Guided Audio Described Tours
Not long after the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday 6 May 2023 the transformed Jewel House at the Tower of London re-opened to the public with a new exhibition going deeper in to the background and history of many of the items from the Crown Jewels Collection that are on display in the Jewel House. Following on from more audio description and visual awareness traini...
8m Oct 02, 2023
8m
S2 Ep168: OKKO Health Create App For People With Macular Disease
Trials are underway on a new remote vision monitoring app. The team at OKKO Health are looking for more volunteers with macular disease to help, as Hywel Davies found out. Image: A tester uses the OKKO App which features different coloured shapes and images.
9m Oct 02, 2023
9m
S2 Ep167: Have Your Say In UK Covid-19 Inquiry
The UK’s Covid-19 inquiry is now underway and you can have your say on the many ways, your life was impacted by the pandemic. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Ben Connah, Secretary to the Inquiry’s Chair, to learn more about the workings of the inquiry and the different methods that blind and partially sighted people can access to have their voice heard. If you’d like to follow the...
6m Oct 02, 2023
6m
S2 Ep797: AD Movie Review - The Birds
Just in time for spooky season, Allan and Amelia Review the audio described 1963 classic Hitchcock film, The Birds. Image shows the movie poster. Against a cloudy sky Tippi Hedren stands with her short blonde hair blowing in the wind. She's dressed in a bright blue coat and belted dress and surrounded by black silhoutes of angry birds in flight. A text in white reads: 'Alfred Hitchcock's The B...
10m Oct 01, 2023
10m
S2 Ep166: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 30/09/2023
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Matt talks about attending the party political conferences, hosting an event on accessible voting and the latest Visionary UK conference. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services avai...
8m Sep 30, 2023
8m
S2 Ep162: Extant Presents - I Dream In Colour by Jasmin Thien at the Bloomsbury Festival, Sunday 15 October at 4pm
Jasmin Thien is a fully blind, Bruneian born Chinese actor, writer, spoken word artist and stand up comedian who’s fully accessible one-woman show ‘I Dream In Colour’ is being presented by Extant at The Bloomsbury Festival On Sunday 15 October 2023 at 4pm at the John Lyon’s Theatre, City Lit, London. ‘I Dream in Colour’ is a sort of autobiographical show which combines the power of storytellin...
9m Sep 29, 2023
9m
S2 Ep162: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - The Woman in Black, AD Theatre Review
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews This week Vidar was reviewing Susan Hill’s classic 1983 ghost story as the London West End production of the Woman In Black visited the Wolverhampton Grand...
7m Sep 29, 2023
7m
S2 Ep164: Mental Wellbeing - 20th Anniversary Roundtable
What mental wellbeing challenges do blind and partially sighted people face? For our 20th Anniversary, we brought together Writer, Blogger and Mental Health Activist Riley Yeomans, RNIB Head of Mental Health and Counselling Amanda Hawkins, Counsellor Yaya Pandor and RNIB Connect Radio Volunteer Presenter Roger Cole to hear how they look after their mental health. Learn more about how RNIB can...
29m Sep 29, 2023
29m
S2 Ep161: UK Sight Loss Charity’s Monthly Campaigns Update
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re involved in and ask for your input to bring positive change to the lives of blind and partially sighted people, throughout the UK. This month’s topics include an accessible voting event, held at RNIB’s new London HQ, and a call for you to invite your MP to vis...
9m Sep 29, 2023
9m
S2 Ep165: See The Person, Not The Sight Loss Campaign Returns
RNIB’s See The Person, Not The Sight Loss advert is returning to the small screen this month. Amelia caught up with RNIB Director of Brand, Martin Wingfield, to learn more about the campaign. As Martin said, you can learn more about the campaign and watch extended and AD versions of the advert by visiting https://www.rnib.org.uk/our-campaigns/see-differently-see-the-person/ Image: RNIB Conne...
8m Sep 29, 2023
8m
S2 Ep163: Kirin Saeed at the AD tour of 'Beyond The Little Black Dress'
For the RNIB Connect Radio 20th Anniversary the Disability Consultant, Visually Impaired Creators of Scotland Founder and fashion lover, Kirin Saeed, visited Edinburgh to learn more about an iconic item of clothing. Amelia joined her to experience an AD tour of ‘Beyond the Little Black Dress’ at the National Museum of Scotland. You can learn more by about the National Museums of Scotland by v...
12m Sep 29, 2023
12m
S2 Ep162: National Theatre London Audio Description Round Up 29 September 2023
Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description Our Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the National Theatre and a couple of gems from the archives ...
6m Sep 29, 2023
6m
S2 Ep161: Blind Leading - Learning Astronomy With Dr Nic Bonne
As part of RNIB Connect Radio’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the team were set a challenge to find activities that blind people could excel in, or that sighted people could learn about from blind or partially sighted experts. For their challenge, our content producers Hubert and Paulina, travelled to University of Portsmouth to learn about astronomy from the mind behind the Tactile Universe,...
19m Sep 28, 2023
19m
S2 Ep160: Conversation With 20 Year Old Harry Ward For Our 20th Anniversary
How have things changed for blind and partially sighted people over the past twenty years and what are their hopes for twenty years in the future? As part of our anniversary, David Hogg's been speaking to some blind and partially sighted twenty-year-olds. Today, he chats with Harry Ward. You can listen to RNIB Connect Radio on Freeview Channel 730, ask your Smart speaker to play RNIB Connect ...
6m Sep 28, 2023
6m
S2 Ep159: RNIB Emotional Support Podcasts For Parents
Are you a parent of a child or young person with Sight Loss? RNIB have created a podcast to answer parents' common questions and help you support your child. Amelia heard about the second season of the podcast from RNIB’s Laura McCauley NHS Clinical Psychologist Dr Ian McCubbin. Listen to the podcast by going to https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/supporting-others/parenting-a-chi...
7m Sep 27, 2023
7m