RNIB Connect

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 another audio described theatre review.This week Vidar and Toby chat about the 10th anniversary of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes as the 20226 tour visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn.About Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes The double Olivier Award-winning smash hit returnsA timeless fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has captivated audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.Matthew Bourne’s magical double Olivier Award-winning production of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film is set to a score orchestrated by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerising music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart.For more about Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes and the 2026 tour do visit the following pages of his company website - https://www.new-adventures.net/the-red-shoes#overview (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)

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 talks about attending the Anthropy conference in Cornwall which brings CEOs from across the charitable, social justice and social care sectors together to discuss ways of creating a more united society plus the cane walk and handing in of the Life on Pause petition to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which happened on Tuesday calling for action to be taken on Vision Rehabilitation Services so that blind and partially sighted people’s lives are not put on pause. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of RNIB Northern Ireland’s Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on.This month’s topics include a recent Stormont event and work on a Disability Strategy.If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email [email protected]#RNIBConnectImage 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.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio speak to some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on at the moment. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved , email [email protected] can visit rnib.org.uk/news or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Follow @RNIB_Campaigns on your socials or search for RNIB Campaigns

Take your family on a magical adventure through the interactive Fairytales exhibition at the British Library until 23 August 2026 which has been made accessible to young blind and partially sighted people and their families too. Explore enchanted lands, magical creatures, iconic characters and timeless tales, brought to life through books, theatre costumes, puppets, pop-ups, artwork and illustrations. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Rebecca Campbell-Gay, one of the Curators of the Fairytales exhibition to find out how the stories of many of those classic fairytales have been brought to life within the exhibition and how the British Library have been working with the RNIB to make the exhibition as accessible as possible to young blind and partially sighted people. For more about the Fairytales exhibition at the British Library which is on until 23 August 2026 do visit - https://events.bl.uk/exhibitions/fairy-tales (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)

Sight Village exhibitions are a great way to learn more about products and services designed for blind and partially sighted people in your area. Hywel Davies has been hearing all about plans for this year’s Sight Village Exeter.For more information, visit the QAC website - Sight Village Exeter, Devon in 2026 - Queen Alexandra College

On Tuesday 24 March 2026 a number of blind and partially sighted people took part in a RNIB cane walk from Parliament Square in central London to the Department of Health and Social Care to hand in the RNIB Life on Pause petition, made up of over 48,000 signatures, calling on Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to take action on Vision Rehabilitation Services to ensure that blind and partially sighted people get the right support when they need it and not to have their lives put on pause.RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the cane walk and, after the handing in of the Life on Pause petition, caught up with Rob Sears - Athlete and Content Creator, Claire Sisk - RNIB Ambassador, Content Creator and Radio Broadcaster plus Mike Wordingham - RNIB’s Head of Policy to find out why it is so important for Wes Streeting the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to take action on Vision Rehabilitation Services and what it was like for Rob and Claire taking part in the cain walk, handing in the Life on Pause petition and their own personal experiences of vision rehabilitation services.To find out more about the Life on Pause petition which is part of the RNIB Out of Sight Campaign and ways of getting involved in this and other RNIB Campaign work do visit - https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/Image shows blind and partially sighted people and RNIB campaigners holding long canes stood in front of Parliament Square with Big Ben in the background. From left to right are Charmaine Ashpole, Rob Sears, Claire Sisk, Mike Wordingham, Geoff Smith, Tom Skelton and Frankie Brady.

In this podcast, Hubert chats to Shauna from RNIB's Digital skills team about their service, what they offer, what sort of questions people come with, and how you can benefit from the support from the team.

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 another audio described theatre review.This week we have a gripping examination of nation and the beautiful game, football as the current tour of the National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit ‘Dear England’ visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn. About ‘Dear England’The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit ‘Dear England is on a highly anticipated tour.It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.Football and non-football fans alike will be brought to their feet in this joyous, five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph). From multi award-winning writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), Dear England tells the inspiring, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately uplifting story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.David Sturzaker (Doctors, BBC) plays former England manager Gareth Southgate in this gripping examination of nation and game. He is joined by stage and screen actress Samantha Womack (Eastenders, BBC; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as team psychologist Pippa Grange.For more about the current tour of ‘Dear England’ do visit - https://dearenglandonstage.com(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)

UK sight loss charity has responded to the latest Covid Inquiry publication, Module 3.RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Sophie Dudgeon, from the charity, to get their take on the publication.If you’d like to read more about the response, go to www.rnib.org.uk or look at our video at www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/covid-19-inquiry/#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.

Did you know RNIB offer advice and support on benefits and taxes for blind and partially sighted people?Amelia spoke to Alan Atherton from the RNIB Welfare benefits and tax team to learn more.Learn more on the RNIB website - Money and benefits for people with sight loss | RNIBImage 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.

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 volunteering and fundraising.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project.Allan Russell was there and spoke with representatives from Lothian Buses. Image shows a large group of people posing outside in front of a Lothian Bus. It's a mixture of men and women of all ages, with a couple guide dogs mixed in. It's an overcast but nice day in Edinburgh and everyone is smiling.

RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project.Allan Russell was there and spoke with Shaun and Stevie from McGill's Buses.Image shows bus drivers from McGill's Buses and Lothian Buses laughing and posing for a photo with RNIB Scotland's Campaigns Officer Eileen.

RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project.Allan Russell was there and spoke with Katie and Nick from Edinburgh Trams. Image shows a cake in the shape of a bus. It's white and pink with a "Swap With Me" poster on the side and number 100 on the front with a yellow "RNIB" license plate.

RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project.Allan Russell has been hearing about the hugely successful events from RNIB Scotland's Campaign Officer Eileen Clarkson. Image shows Eileen (on the right) joined with two RNIB Scotland volunteers for cake cutting. The cake is shaped like a white and pink bus.

RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project. Allan Russell has been hearing about the hugely successful events from RNIB Scotland Director James Adams and Stuart McMillan MSP.Image shows James and Stuart posing for a group photo with Lothian and McGill's Buses reps, RNIB Scotland staff member and a volunteer with her guide dog.

Each month RNIB Connect Radio speaks to the Policy and Campaigns Team from RNIB Cymru. This month, how the Welsh Government has turned down a proposal that could impact the way blind and partially sighted people cast their vote in the upcoming Senedd elections.For more information on the work of RNIB Cymru's Policy and Campaigns Team, visit the website - Policy - Wales - RNIB Cymru campaigns I RNIB | RNIB

Visionary have launched a new project for blind and partially sighed people working in the sight loss sector. To learn more Amelia spoke to Raquel Garrido-Soriano from Visionary, Nia Greer from Vision Support and Andy Smith from My Vision Oxfordshire...Learn more on the Visionary website - Welcome to Visionary - VisionaryImage 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.

This week Amelia attended Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Graham Longly about three products they were excited to share.Learn more on the Aspire Consultancy Website - Home - Aspire ConsultancyImage 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.

This week Amelia attended Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to RNC about their upcoming professional and student open days.Learn more on the RNC website - A specialist residential college for young people with visual impairmentImage 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.

This week Amelia attended Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Jason Shaw from VisionAid technologies about the wearable technology they offer to improve tv, bird and event watching.Learn more on the Synaptic website - Accessible Smartwatches | SynappticImage 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.

This week Amelia attended Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Mary McMahon, Managing director at Synaptic to learn about the first smart watch designed specifically for VI people.Learn more on the Synapptic website - Accessible Smartwatches | SynappticImage 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.

Amelia went to Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Martin Roberts from Humanware about a new piece of tech with a lot of buzz…Learn more on the Humanware website - Home - HumanWare 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.

Amelia went to Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Paul Bartley from Optolec about how they are modernising a classic bit of kit...Learn more on the Optolec website - Optelec - Optelec United Kingdom 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.

Amelia went to Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Calum McCready Look UK team about their upcoming events and some of the challenges young blind and partially sighted people are facing.Learn more about Look UK on their website - LOOK – Supporting Visually Impaired Young People to ThriveImage 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.

Amelia went to Glasgow Sight Village, the leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. She spoke to Francesca Munoz from the Sight Loss Councils Scotland team about their upcoming inclusive one-day music festival and training sighted guides for VI runners.Learn more on the sight loss council website - Scotland - Sight Loss CouncilImage 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.

For many people, balancing rising energy costs with keeping homes safe and warm, is becoming more and more of a challenge. RNIB’s ‘Energy Advice Service’ can offer practical advice to help. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.There's lots more information about RNIB's Energy Advice Service on their website - Energy saving advice for blind and partially sighted people | RNIB