RNIB Connect

Latest Episodes:

S2 Ep1959: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 10/10/2026 Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

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 RNIB’s Accessible Streets campaign, pavement parking, and enhanced audio commentary on Premier League football.

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
Image a headshot photograph of Simon Antrobus smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short brown hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

S2 Ep1950: First Global Summit for Eye Health Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

On 2 November 2026 the first Global summit for Eye Health will bring senior leaders from governments, private and public sectors, NGO’s and funding institutions from across the world together to help to reach the 1 billion people living with avoidable sight loss and accelerate the progress towards universal eye health coverage too.

The summit is being hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and supported by the international Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Peter Holland, Chief executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness to find out more about the first Global Summit for Eye Health, the themes and topics that will be discussed, what policies or statements might be launched on the day plus how the outcomes and recommendations from the summit will help to reach the 1 billion people living with avoidable sight loss and make the world see the value of vision.

To find out more about the first Global Summit for Eye Health and follow the summit on the day too do visit - https://globalsummitforeyehealth.org

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 Ep1958: Share Your Experience In RNIB Accessible Healthcare Information Survey Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Have you been receiving healthcare information in accessible formats?

RNIB want to hear about your experiences in their new survey - Amelia spoke to Khadija Raza, Policy Lead: Accessibility, to learn more.

Fill out the survey here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDTYQVJ
Or complete it over the phone by calling 0303 123 9999 anytime from 9am-6pm
Email campaign.mailbox@rnib.org.uk for more information.

S2 Ep1956: Marking World Sight Day 2026 With MyVision Oxfordshire Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

This World Sight Day we’ve been hearing about how one local sight loss charity will be marking the day with fundraising activities. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.

Visit the MyVision Oxfordshire website for more details on how you can take part in fundraising activities - Host a World Sight Day Coffee Morning for 2026

S2 Ep1910: World Sight Day 2026 and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

With it being World Sight Day 2026 today (Thursday 8 October 2026), the worlds’ attention is focussing on eye care that is accessible, available and affordable to all.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Simon Darvill, Director of Communications, Campaigns and Events at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB ), the organisation behind the day, to find out more about World Sight Day and why it is important for us all to get behind the #LoveYourEyes campaign and the global movement to end avoidable sight loss too.

To find out more about the IAPB, World Sight Day and get involved in the #LoveYourEyes campaign do visit - https://www.iapb.world/world_sight_day

S2 Ep1957: New Enhanced Audio Commentary Offer For Blind Football Fans Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Broadcaster Sky, is about to launch another step forward for blind and partially sighted fans of English Premiership football.

From October 10th, there will be an Enhanced Description which, they hope, will bring the game to life for anyone who uses their set up for Audio Description.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Steve Smith, from Sky, to learn more about the exciting launch and how blind and partially sighted people played a part in it’s creation.

If you’d like more details, go to www.skysports.com
#RNIBConnect

Image shows a blue graphic with Sky Sports and Guiness 0.0 logos in two lines with text below: "Premier League accessibility."

S2 Ep1953: ECLOS To Be Front And Centre Of New Eye Infirmary Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Barry Snell learns about the role of ECLOS and also about the role they play in the new Sunderland Eye Infirmary.
He is chatting to RNIB's Practice lead in eye care support, Cathie Burke.

To learn more about ECLOS visit 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.

S2 Ep1955: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 03/10/2026 Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

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 RNIB’s Cost Of Living report, a move for RNIB Northern Ireland and Christmas at the RNIB Online Shop.

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
Image a headshot photograph of Simon Antrobus smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short brown hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

S2 Ep1954: BRAILLED IT - A Documentary Made By Blind And Partially Sighted Young People Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Every year, the top under-18 Braille readers and writers from across the English-speaking world gather in Los Angeles to compete in the Braille Challenge.

In a new feature film BRAILLED IT, blind and low-vision young people document their experience of the competition using go-pro cameras.

Designed with integrated audio description and accessibility at its core, the film lets young people tell their story.

Amelia spoke to Executive Producer David Grabias from Production Company Artifact to learn more.

Learn more on the BRAILLED IT Website - BRAILLED IT—A Documentary Filmed by the Blind, for the Blind

S2 Ep1949: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake, AD Theatre Review Oct 02, 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 Birmingham Royal Ballet’s revival of a true ballet classic with ‘Swan Lake’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Jonathan Nash.

About ‘Swan Lake’

Birmingham Royal Ballet revives Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's glorious journey into Swan Lake – with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s superb music live alongside BRB’s spectacular dancers.

Prince Siegfried is out hunting one night when he happens upon a flock of graceful swans. When one of them turns into a beautiful woman, the Prince is utterly smitten – but Odette explains that she has fallen under an evil spell cast by Baron von Rothbart, which keeps her in swan form from dawn to dusk. Can Siegfried’s love break the spell?

Find out in this exquisite production of a true ballet classic.

There is another audio described performance of ‘Swan Lake’ at Sadler’s Wells in London on Saturday 31 October at 2pm with the touch tour at 11.15am. and to find out more about Birmingham Royal Ballet’s access programme including described performances of their productions do visit - https://www.brb.org.uk/whats-on/access

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected