RNIB Connect

RNIB Connect Radio

RNIB Connect Radio is the UK radio station for blind and partially sighted people to find out what is happening in the community. You can also contribute and share your stories by emailing radio@rnib.org.uk. Get involved and join the conversation.

Other great podcast channels from RNIB Connect Radio

Conversations - Blind and partially sighted people speaking about a wide range of topics.

Read On - The Audiobook show all about accessible reading.

Tech Talk - Technology for blind and partially sighted people.

Sport - See sport differently.

The Happy Hour - Mental health, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing.

Tracks of My Life - Take a journey through our guest's life.

Support - Other podcasts from RNIB.

TV Guide - Daily audio TV listings

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S2 · E1902
September 7 · 8 min
S2 Ep1902: Remember A Charity Week 2026 - Unusual Gifts Left To RNIB
Barry Snell chats to RNIB’s Legacy Management Lead, Daniel Pepper to find out about the importance of creating a will and leaving a will & about some of the more unusual gifts people have left to RNIB over the years. For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
S2 · E1905
September 5 · 10 min
S2 Ep1905: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 05/09/2026
For this week’s CEO update on RNIB Connect Radio as Chief Executive Simon Antrobus is on annual leave RNIB’s Interim Chief Operations Officer Debbie Miller sits in for Simon to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. Debbie began by talking about the Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses that are now available in the RNIB online shop which Debbie also has on order too. Then to some great topics and themes that came out of the recent BBC Access All interview with TV Producer, Presenter and best-selling Author Richard Osman, who has Nystagmus. Toby and Debbie discussed how he manages to get about with the condition and some of those problem solving skills that we all have as visually impaired people, which would be of great value as we move into a world relying more on AI, plus topics that also chimed with Debbie as a visually impaired person that alined with all the work that the RNIB does to make a more inclusive world for people living with sight loss. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk. You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
S2 · E1901
September 2 · 10 min
S2 Ep1901: People Or Props - Writing Better Disabled Characters
How can we have better disabled characters in film? Psychology Researcher and DARK (Disability Action Research Kollective) founder Richard Amm has created a tool for writers to improve disability representation. He tells Amelia about 'People Or Props' Read Richard's dissertation for free here - Development of the People or Props Tool: Integrating Prejudice Reduction Psychology Insights to Improve Representations of Disability on Screen – ScienceOpen Learn more about DARK on their website - The Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) - Disabled Leaders Network Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
S2 · E1898
September 1 · 10 min
S2 Ep1898: Guide Dog Owner Helps to Ban Unauthorised Discarded Lime Bikes That Have Been Cluttering Up the Pavements…
Guide Dog owner Jason Beal who lives in South East London has freed up the pavements of discarded unauthorised Lime bikes for him, his wife Jessica and other visually impaired people. When the discarded Lime bikes were blocking the pavements Jason and his Guide Dog Cain would have to nervously step into the busy London streets to get past the bikes. Following on from raising the issue with their local MP Liam Conlon who took up the matter with Bromley Council and Lime who have now apologised to Jason and Jessica as well as changing their app to stop the hiring of Lime bikes in the borough. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Jason to find out more about what life was like for him and his Guide Dog Cain having to navigate around the discarded bikes and on occasions stepping in to the busy London streets to get past the bikes and what life is like now since the Lime bike ban was put in place in their area. (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font)
S2 · E1895
August 29 · 6 min
S2 Ep1895: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 29/08/2026
Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Simon looks back on his first six months or so as RNIB CEO, noting a few highlights both internally and externally as well as a few RNIB projects that he is looking forward to seeing develop over the next six months that will help to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk. You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect
S2 · E1897
August 28 · 8 min
S2 Ep1897: Mere Mortals AD At Edinburgh International Festival
In Mere Mortals, San Francisco Ballet takes on the story of Pandora’s Box through the contemporary lens of artificial intelligence. Composer and electronic musician Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) performs his original score live with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as 40 dancers perform. Amelia spoke to Audio Describer Emma-Jane Mchenry to learn more. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
S2 · E1896
August 28 · 6 min
S2 Ep1896: VocalEyes What’s On 28 August 2026
Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Audio Descriptions - Milestones Living History Museum, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London - Love’s Labours Lost, Sunday 6 September, 1pm, touch tour 11am,, Much Ado About Nothing, Tuesday 8 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, AS you Like It, Thursday 10 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, A Tale of Two Cities, Saturday 19 September, 7.30pm, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, The Choir of Man, Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Wicked 20 – “Pink” Performance, Saturday 26 September, 2.30pm, Apollo Victoria Theatre, London. To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk
S2 · E1884
August 28 · 50 min
S2 Ep1884: A Cultural Journey of Stonehenge for Blind and Partially Sighted People
Join RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey for a tour of one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge in Wiltshire. English Heritage guides, Stonehenge Deputy Operations Manager Scarlott Rolfe and site Supervisor and Historian Liz Purves give Toby an insight into the history of this world heritage site. During the tour with Scarlot and Liz, Toby found out how the site had developed and evolved over the years through exploring some of the tactile models of Stonehenge that can be found in the visitor centre exhibition, touching the replica stones gave him a real sense of the size and texture of the stones, stepping into one of the replica neolithic houses opening up a window into the lives of the people who constructed Stonehenge and going around the monument itself he learnt more about the Heel Stone, the Station Stones and the Albury Holes too. Throughout the tour you will also hear extracts from the recorded audio described guide for Stonehenge that can be pre-downloaded to your smartphone before your visit. To find out more about Stonehenge and the recorded audio described guide do visit - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge Image shows Toby and guide dog Boston with the Sarsen stone circle of Stonehenge behind and a clear blue sky overhead.
S2 · E1881
August 28 · 57 min
S2 Ep1881: Accessible Tour Of The Royal Yacht Britannia
Berthed in Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the world’s top tourist attractions and is a must visit for anyone coming to the Scottish capital. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell stepped aboard for a look around and hear about the accessible guides available for blind and partially sighted visitors. For more info about visiting, go to www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Email enquiries@tryb.co.uk or call 01315555566. #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath.
S2 · E1894
August 27 · 13 min
S2 Ep1894: Walking In The Light Short Documentary Chosen For A Film Festival!
Walking In The Light short documentary follows yoga teacher Dawn Blezard's journey as she takes on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge with failing vision due to her Stargardt's Disease. Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Dawn and filmmaker and journalist Anne Goulde about the documentary being selected for the Women Over 50 Film Festival 2026. Image shows a poster for the movie. Dawn in a rain walking jacket and dark glasses stands with a beautiful landscape opening up behind her from atop of one of the peaks.
S2 · E1893
August 27 · 27 min
S2 Ep1893: Celebrating Confidence Through Public Speaking At Glasgow City Chambers
This summer, RNIB Scotland partnered with Glasgow Speakers Club to deliver a course for five blind and partially sighted participants who indicated their interest in building this skill. Following weeks of lessons, they delivered their speeches to a captive audience, including The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Dr Jacqueline McLaren and sponsor of this event, Councillor Robert Mooney. RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew reports. 00:00 - 06:20 Jenn Worral and Robert H. King 06:20 - 13:15 Claire Forde and members of Glasgow Speakers Club 13:15 - 18:45 Luke Teasdale and Morag Wilson 18:45 - 21:40 Councillor Robert Mooney 21:40 - 27:00 The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Dr Jacqueline McLaren and James Adams, Director RNIB Scotland Image is a group photo taken on a columned staircase at Glasgow City Chambers. Bottom row left to right: Jenn (participant, with guide dog Snowball), The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Claire (participant), John McArthur (Glasgow Speakers Club), middle row: James Adams (Director, RNIB Scotland), Councillor Robert Mooney (sponsor), Luke Teasdale (participant), Morag (participant), Back row: Robert King (participant), Grace Hendry-Nash (Glasgow Speakers Club), Bobby Livingston (Glasgow Speakers Club), and Iona Adamson (RNIB Scotland volunteer).
S2 · E1892
August 27 · 5 min
S2 Ep1892: Free bus travel for visually impaired people in England from 1 April 2027
Following on from the Government’s recent announcement that from 1 April 2027 disabled people in England which includes visually impaired people will be able to travel for free by bus at any time of the day lifting the current restriction of not being able to travel for free before 9.30am apart from at weekends and on Bank Holidays. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Erik Matthies, RNIB Policy Lead to find out more about this landmark change in bus travel in England for blind and partially sighted people. To find out more about some of the travel concessions that are available for visually impaired people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/money-and-benefits/benefits-concessions-and-grants/leisure-and-travel-concessions/
S2 · E1891
August 26 · 7 min
S2 Ep1891: National Theatre London Audio description Round Up for Autumn 2026 into Winter 2027
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. RNIB Connect Radio’s 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 NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NTatHome.com. Audio described performances included: Some Woman - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 20 November, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre, cloud 9 - Saturday 28 November, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Tuesday 12 January 2027, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre, The Jungle Book - Friday 8 January 2027, 7pm, touch tour 5pm and Saturday 30 January 2027, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre. From NTAtHome.com with audio description David recommended Hamlet and London Road. To find out more about the National Theatre’s audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website- https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk And for more about NTatHome.com and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit- https://www.ntathome.com
S2 · E1893
August 25 · 3 min
S2 Ep1893: Thomas Pocklington Trust Extends Education Advice Service
David Hogg learns more about Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Education Advice Service… Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
S2 · E1890
August 25 · 15 min
S2 Ep1890: Diabetes and Sight Loss
With recent news that a new weekly type 2 diabetes jab if approved could replace daily injections for people living with the condition, RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dr Louise Gow, RNIB Head of Optometry, Low Vision and Eye Care Support along with Berni Warren who is visually impaired and has Type 1 diabetes to find out more about the connections between diabetes and sight loss as well as what life might be like living with the condition on a day-to-day bases as a blind or partially sighted person. Louise talks about the different diabetes related eye conditions and how they can affect someones vision plus her thoughts on these new weekly injections and how easy it might all be to administer the injections as a blind or partially sighted person. Berni talks about her life as a visually impaired person and how she copes with being a Type 1 diabetic, how accessible everything is around monitoring her condition and how she is able to live a full life as a visually impaired person as a diabetic too. To find out more about diabetes related eye conditions do click onto the following link to the RNIB website or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for information and advice too - https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/diabetes-related-eye-conditions/
S2 · E1889
August 25 · 8 min
S2 Ep1889: Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses now available in the RNIB online shop!
This time for our regular browse through the RNIB online shop with Charlee Jarvis, RNIB Shop’s Buying coordinator We have fantastic news that the Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are now available with help, training and support too The package of training and support is also available for visually impaired people if they need help with their Meta glasses even if they have not purchased them through the RNIB online shop. Charlee also talks about the new range of Eye Shades that have just been added to the shop too. to find out more about the Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, the package of help, training and support plus the new Eye Shades along with many other great products do visit - https://shop.rnib.org.uk/connect
S2 · E1887
August 25 · 7 min
S2 Ep1887: More great Northern Ballet productions audio described this autumn and into 2027
We have highlights of some great Northern Ballet productions with audio described performances this autumn and into 2027 as RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey catches up with Northern Ballet’s Artistic Associate and Audio Describer Pippa Moore MBE. Northern Ballet productions highlighted included - Last chance to catch Gentleman Jack with audio described performances at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Saturday 5 September, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm and at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Friday 2 April 2027, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.45pm, Michael Pink’s production of Cinderella for Milwaukee Ballet is brought to life at a number of venues this autumn and up to Christmas by Northern Ballet with described performances and touch tours at Nottingham Theatre Royal, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Norwich Theatre Royal and Leeds Grand Theatre, and Northern Ballet’s production of Wuthering Heights will be touring through spring and into early summer 2027 with audio described performances and touch tours. To find out more about the audio described performances of Gentleman Jack, Cinderella and Wuthering Heights plus many more do visit the access pages of the Northern Ballet website - https://northernballet.com/accessibility
S2 · E1888
August 24 · 4 min
S2 Ep1888: Taverna Miresia - Mario, Bella, Anastasia AD Caroline Jaquet
Let’s find out about another audio described performances at the Edinburgh International festival. David Hogg has been speaking to Audio Describer Caroline Jacquet… Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
S2 · E1886
August 21 · 8 min
S2 Ep1886: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 22/08/2026
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Simon talks about Metro Bank, Specsavers and some good news from Loganair. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect
S2 · E1885
August 21 · 10 min
S2 Ep1885: RNIB Northern Ireland’s Monthly Campaigns Update 21/08/2026.
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by Paula Beattie, from RNIB Northern Ireland’s campaigns team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on. This month’s topics include prep for next year’s elections and an important part in the future of neighbourhood health care. If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath.

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