RNIB Connect

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

Latest Episodes:

S2 Ep1793: RNIB Northern Ireland’s Monthly Campaigns Update 22/06/2026 Jun 22, 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 work on accessible voting and the charity Manifesto for next year’s elections and a transport hub accessibility launch.

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

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 Ep1785: RNIB Cymru's Monthly Campaigns Update 22/06/2026 Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Each month RNIB Connect Radio speaks to the Policy and Campaigns Team from RNIB Cymru. This month, we hear about the letter RNIB Cymru has sent to the new Cabinet Minister for Health in Wales and the ‘Pathways in Practice’ sessions that are taking place all over the country.

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

S2 Ep1792: Charity Chief Exec's Customer Update 20/06/2026 Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

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 began by reflecting on the increase in the availability of audio description for many of the 2026 Football World Cup games on television for blind and partially sighted fans. Then to the reception on Wednesday 17 June at the House of Commons hosted by Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's’ Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis for people affected by sight loss. Plus a couple of other important events at the Houses of Parliament for the RNIB this week too.

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 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 Ep1793: RNIB Scotland's Monthly Campaigns Update 22/06/2026 Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Time to catch up with the latest work from RNIB Scotland's Campaigns Team.

This month, RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew is joined by Kirstie Henderson to chat tactile paving at train stations across Scotland, free travel for companions and more.

If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning visit: Read about RNIB Scotland's campaigns | RNIB or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

#RNIBConnect

S2 Ep1791: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Frankie Goes to Bollywood, AD Theatre Review Jun 19, 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 bold, uplifting celebration of ambition, transformation and self-discovery as the current tour of ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith.

About ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’

After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes to Bollywood returns - bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour.

Ordinary suburban Frankie never dreamed of stardom until a chance encounter sweeps her from gritty, grey Huddersfield to the glittering fever-dream world of Bollywood.

As she climbs the shimmering staircase of fame, Frankie must decide what she is willing to risk for fortune, family and belonging.

With handsome heroes, delicious villains and billowing saris, this is a funny and fearless tale of being British in Bollywood.

Featuring explosive choreography, lavish costumes and pulsing songs, this feel-good musical bursts with ambition and heart - a joyful celebration of love, courage, self-discovery and pure theatrical sparkle.

For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre do visit - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/

(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 Ep1790: Raising Awareness of the Importance of Emotional Support at the Point of Diagnosis with Anna Tylor Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

On Wednesday 17 June 2026 in the Thames Pavilion at the House of Commons Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea hosted an event that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's’ Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with RNIB Chair of Trustees Anna Tylor.

S2 Ep1789: Raising Awareness of the Importance of Emotional Support at the Point of Diagnosis with Professor Mhairi Thurston Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with Professor Mhairi Thurston who is visually impaired and helped with the set up of the training package.

S2 Ep1788: Raising Awareness of the Importance of Emotional Support at the Point of Diagnosis with Amanda Hawkins Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

On Wednesday 17 June 2026 in the Thames Pavilion at the House of Commons Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea hosted an event that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with Amanda Hawkins, RNIB Head of Mental Health and Counselling.

Image shows Amanda delivers a speech at a podium. Hands raised in front of her chest, she's speaking passionately.

S2 Ep1787: Raising Awareness of the Importance of Emotional Support at the Point of Diagnosis with Professor Tariq Aslam Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with Professor Tariq Aslam who was very much involved in the development of the training package.

S2 Ep1786: Raising Awareness of the Importance of Emotional Support at the Point of Diagnosis with Mohamed Elalfy Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with Mohamed Elalfy, President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.