RNIB Connect

Latest Episodes:

S2 Ep1601: Royal Ballet Revival of Pierrot Lunaire with Audio Described Performances Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

The Royal Ballet and Opera House in London continue their access programme with up-coming audio described performances and touch tours for blind and partially sighted people of the Royal Ballet’s revival of Glen Tetley’s 60’s cult classic Pierrot Lunaire.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Deirdre Chapman, Rehearsal Director at The Royal Ballet and Audio Describer Alice Gilmour for some background to the revival of Pierrot Lunaire and how this classic work of dance that blends both modern and classical ballet set to Schoenberg slightly challenging score is being brought to life on stage with description for visually impaired people.

There are three audio described performances of Pierrot Lunaire on Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Tuesday 17 February all at 7.45pm with a touch tour prior to the performance on Thursday 12 February at 6.45pm and the performance on Tuesday 17 February is also a relaxed performance too.

To book your tickets for the audio described performances of Pierrot Lunaire do either email boxoffice@roh.org.uk or telephone the Box Office on 020 7304 4000.

Do be aware that if you look for tickets for the dates of the audio described performances online the website might indicate that the performances are fully booked out as currently the booking system does not show the allocated seats set aside for blind and partially sighted people.

For more about access at The Royal Ballet and Opera House do visit -
https://www.rbo.org.uk/visit/access-at-rbo

(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 Ep1594: Launch of The Eye Believe Podcast on RNIB Connect Radio Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

The Eye Believe Podcast is a collective of blind and partially sighted individuals from different cultural backgrounds coming together to discuss and share their unique experiences of sight loss on a range of powerful topics from their own personal perspectives along with how the community around them sees them as visually impaired people.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Ashrafia Choudhury, the founder of Eye Believe, to find out more about how Eye Believe came about and the set up of the podcast, some examples of the topics that have been covered in the podcast, what Ashrafia would like people to come away with after catching the Eye Believe Podcast on RNIB Connect Radio and how the podcast has helped to change attitudes to sight loss within her community too.

The first episode of the Eye Believe Podcast will be broadcast on RNIB Connect Radio on Tuesday 17 February at 7pm, repeated Saturday 21 February at 8pm with future episodes going out on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm and repeated on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 8pm.

You can subscribe to the Eye Believe Podcast by searching for ‘Eye Believe BlindPod’ on Spotify, follow EyeBeleiveBlindPod on Instagram and to reach Ashrafia and the rest of the collective behind the podcast do email eyebelieve12@gmail.com.

Image shows the Eye Believe logo: The words 'Eye Believe' written in bold black letters with 'Empower, Inspire, Share' written underneath in smaller writing. A drawing at the top is of an eye with orange rays beaming down behind the text on a beige background.

S2 Ep1599: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 07/02/2026 Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, for a look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Simon chats settling into his new position as RNIB Chief Executive, engaging with RNIB staff, and what work he'll focus on over the coming months.

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 also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.

#RNIBConnect

Image 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.

S2 Ep1583: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Robin Hood and Aladdin, AD Theatre Review Feb 06, 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 week we are looking at what might be someones first experience of theatre with two great family shows, Robin Hood at the Birmingham Hippodrome and Aladdin at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to find out how a pantomime comes to live with AD for an accessible experience that can be shared with the whole family too.

About Robin Hood -

The ultimate sheriff-busting pantomime extravaganza.

Join TV fashionista, DJ and radio star Gok Wan as Gok Scarlet, Birmingham panto favourite Matt Slack as Robin Hood, Faye Tozer as Maid Marion and Matt Cardle as the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham. The all star line-up is completed by Andrew Ryan as Henrietta Hood, Sandra Marvin as The Spirit of Sherwood, and pantomime royalty Christopher Biggins who makes a special appearance as King Richard.

With stunning scenery and dazzling costumes direct from The London Palladium, Robin Hood promises all the ingredients of a perfect pantomime: laugh-out-loud comedy, bundles of audience participation, astonishing special effects, and plenty of boos and hisses for the whole family to enjoy.

About Aladdin -

Join Aladdin on a spectacular quest from humble beginnings to riches beyond his wildest dreams! With a magical lamp, the help of a trusty genie and three wishes, only he can take on the evil sorcerer Abanazar! Can he conquer the cave of wonders and who will win the heart of the princess in the most spellbinding battle of good versus evil!?

Join West End leading lady Zoe Birkett (Pop Idol/Moulin Rouge The Musical/The Bodyguard) as Spirit of the Ring, Michael Greco (EastEnders/The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as the evil Abanazar and CBeebies’ Ben Cajee as Aladdin in the ultimate pantomime adventure for all the family!

Returning favourites Tam Ryan (Wishee Washee) and Ian Adams (Widow Twankey) are joined by Wolverhampton’s own Sofie Anné as Princess Jasmine, West End star Duane Gooden as the Genie and panto legend Ian Billings as The Notary!

S2 Ep1598: Get To Know Sight Loss Council Cymru Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

With support from Thomas Pocklington Trust, there are now more than twenty-five volunteer-led Sight Loss Councils across the UK. Hywel Davies caught up with the team behind the new ‘Sight Loss Council Cymru’ to hear more.

For more information, visit the Sight Loss Council Cymru website - Wales - Sight Loss Council

S2 Ep1597: February 2026 Almanac Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Bees are buzzing and Grey Herons are with us! Amelia returns to explore the many celebrations in February and share some returning friends from nature.

Learn more about the nature you can enjoy each month on the RSPB website - RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity

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 Ep1596: Proximity Pal - Prototype Of New Navigation Device Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Two students from Canada are working on a device that can detect scaffolding and tree branches to make travelling easier for blind and partially sighted people.

Amelia spoke to Jack Redberger and Jay Koidhis to learn more.

Email Jack and Jay at proximitypal@itas.ca

S2 Ep1595: RNIB Northern Ireland Tech Fair Preview Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Based in Northern Ireland and looking for a social, tech-themed day? The RNIB tech fair is free to attend and takes place in Londonderry on Wednesday 11th of February.

Amelia spoke with Jo Kenny to learn more.

S2 Ep1593: Jack Marshall a Graduate from Keele University Hopes to Inspire Other Visually Impaired People Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Jack Marshall, a blind man from Stoke-on-Trent who has moderate hearing loss has recently picked up his degree certificate in Computer Science and Music Production at Keele University’s winter graduation ceremony and hopes that his story of going through mainstream and specialist education will help to inspire other blind and partially sighted people to achieve their goals in life.

When Jack was born he was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity and also has some moderate hearing loss too. He went through mainstream education up to A-levels, then went on to the Royal National College for the Blind, where he got into computers and music which encouraged him to go on to Keele University to study Computer Science and Music Production.

Jack explains to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about how he wants to use his story and experiences of going through education and graduating with his degree to encourage other blind and partially sighted people to not let barriers get in the way of achieving their goals in life whatever that might be.

S2 Ep1594: Sight Village Exhibition Returns To Glasgow This March Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

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 Scotland.

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