RNIB Connect

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S2 Ep1627: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Dance Consortium MÁM, AD theatre review Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

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 time we have a contemporary dance piece where fearless dancers summon a whirlwind of myth and magic to traditional Irish music with Dance Consortium ’MÁM’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn.

About ‘MÁM’

MÁM is international dance-theatre at its finest. Described as ‘80 minutes of ritualised ecstasy’ by The Irish Times, this visionary piece playfully and provocatively takes you on an otherworldly journey steeped in the landscape and culture of West Kerry in Ireland.

MÁM sees 12 fearless dancers summon a whirlwind of myth and magic, moved by the collaborative music making of virtuoso Irish traditional concertina player Cormac Begley and European classical contemporary collective s t a r g a z e, performed live on stage.

Nominated for an Olivier Award, MÁM has enjoyed sell-out performances at Sadler’s Wells, London and across Festivals world-wide. This rapturous production is now on its debut UK tour for Dance Consortium.

For more about the tour of Dance Consortium ‘MÁM’ do visit - https://danceconsortium.com

S2 Ep1626: See Work Differently Work Placement helps Brian Get First Steps On The Career Ladder Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

We know how difficult it can be for blind and partially sighted people to get that first run on the career ladder or come back into work after a break. Well one way the RNIB is helping visually impaired people to take that first step into employment or return to work is through the RNIB See Work Differently Work placement scheme.

These are paid placements for a fixed term of twelve weeks and are generally for fourteen hours per week

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Brian Murry who is currently on placement as an RNIB Community Social Action Assistant and Elaine Manson, RNIB Northern Island, Community Social Action Manager who is supporting Brian during his placement to find out what the See Work Differently Work Placement scheme is all about, why Brian wanted to apply for a placement, how things have been so far for him plus Elaine outlining what the benefits are to organisations like the RNIB and others on offering work placement places for visually impaired people.

To find out more about the RNIB See Work Differently Work Placement scheme do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/equality-and-employment/see-work-differently-placement-programme/

New placements will appear from time to time on the careers pages of the RNIB website too.

S2 Ep1625: More Support for Blind and Partially Sighted People in Thurso Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

RNIB Scotland has a new project which aims to provide more advice, support, events and community connections for blind and partially sighted people living in rural or isolated areas of Scotland. David Hogg spoke to Louise from Thurso about her son Frankie…

S2 Ep1623: Sensory Centre Reaches Anniversary Milestone Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

The Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Falkirk, provides a wide range of services for people with varying degrees of sensory loss.

The purpose built centre is about to reach a Milestone Anniversary, with great plans to celebrate.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Jacquie Winning MBE and Laura Cluxton, from Forth Valley Sensory Centre, to find out more.

For more info on the centre, go to www.forthvalleysensorycentre.org or call 01324590888

#RNIBConnect

@Allan_insight @FVSensoryCentre @RNIBScotland #Blind #PartiallySighted

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 Ep1622: Sight Loss Charity Publishes It’s Asks Ahead Of May 2026 Welsh Elections Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

RNIB Cymru has published it’s Manifesto ahead of the forthcoming Welsh Elections, outlining how parties can help improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people in Wales.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Liz Williams, from RNIB Cymru, to hear more about the asks…

If you’d like more info on services in Wales, or would like to see the Manifesto, go to www.rnib.org.uk/cymru

#RNIBConnect

Image shows RNIB Cymru logo, white background, "RNIB Cymru" in bold black letters, a solid pink line below.

S2 Ep1624: Ryan Davison: Founder of A1 Vipers Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Following tragedy, Ryan Davison wanted to give back so he set up A1 Vipers, a football team for VI children. He shares his story with David Hogg.

S2 Ep1621: Aly Prince Reflects On 10 Years Volunteering With RNIB Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Folk and Roots presenter Aly prince has now been volunteering with RNIB and making his weekly music programme for 10 years.

An incredible milestone. Barry Snell caught up with him to chat about his time presenting and volunteering with the UK's leading sight loss charity - RNIB.

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 Ep1620: RNIB Northern Ireland’s Monthly Campaigns Update 17/02/2026. Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

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 Active Travel, Disability Strategy and accessible voting.

If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk
#RNIBConnect

S2 Ep1619: The Lived Experience Conference 2026: Resilience Reimagined, 25-26 March 2026 Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Following on from the great success of the first Lived Experience Leadership Conference which brought many blind and partially sighted people together to shape stronger leadership within the sight loss sector from people with first hand lived experience of sight loss the conference is back for 2026.

The Lived Experience Leadership Conference 2026: Resilience Reimagined takes place from 25 to 26 March 2026 at Conference Aston in Birmingham.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by David Aldwinckle, RNIB’s Director of Insight for a look back on the first Lived Experience Leadership conference went and an overview of what will be happening during this year’s conference too.

(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 Ep1600: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Please Do Not Touch, AD Theatre Review Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

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 time we have a very powerful play with ‘Please Do Not Touch’ in the Patrick studio at the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Burn.

About ‘Please Do Not Touch’

“They will tell you that legal and illegal are the same as right and wrong. And I’ve told you that you only have to sit still for a moment and watch the pieces move to see what a lie that is.”

Mason is an activist who explores historic houses on TikTok to uncover the true stories behind the objects that lie within. After an incident with a Somali Afro comb, he is wrongly imprisoned in a Young Offender Institution. Can he find a way to survive this ordeal and navigate how to keep speaking up when everything is designed to silence him?

Written by former Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey and directed by award-winning theatre maker, Gail Babb – ‘Please Do Not Touch’ asks important questions about colonial legacy and contested heritage whilst shining a light on the criminal justice system.

For more about ‘Please Do Not Touch’ do visit China Plate Theatre Company’s website - https://chinaplatetheatre.com/whats-on/current/please-do-not-touch/

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