RNIB Connect

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

Episodes

July 5, 2025 9 mins
Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Matt reflects on two major political events, the passing of the Welfare Reform Bill in the commons on Tuesday evening (1 July 2025) with some last minute major changes to the bill and the publication on Thursday (3 July 2025) of the NHS 10 year Health plan fo...
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Would you like to learn about Wymondham Players which is a theatre group? Jennifer Murray chats to Georgette Vale to find out more.

If you would like to contact Wymondham Players, you can email them on:

secretary@wymondhamplayers.org.uk 

You can also visit their website at the following link:

Wymondham Players

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Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a...
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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 the next of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025

This week we have ‘Spitfire Girls’ at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith.

About ‘Spitfire Girls’
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NHS England has published its 10 Year Health Plan for England.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Vivienne Francis, from RNIB, to discuss what this could mean for blind and partially sighted people.

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...
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Fulham Reach Boat Club, a fairly new rowing club on the River Thames in London, very close to Hammersmith Bridge have been running the ‘Row the Rhythm’ sessions for blind and partially sighted people to give them an introduction to the sport of rowing and the opportunity to get out rowing on the Thames too.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey made his way down to the banks of the River Thames to find out more about the ‘R...
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The UK Government’s welfare bill passed its first vote in the Parliament on Tuesday, but what do blind and partially sighted people think of it?

Hubert Pawelkiewicz spoke with Simon Hart to find out what he thought.

And to hear RNIB's response to the bill, hear our interview with Sophie Dudgeon, RNIB’s Head of Campaigns & Public Affairs: LINK

Want to share your thoughts on the bill? Drop us an e...
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On Tuesday 1st of July, following a significant last-minute concession, the Welfare Reform Bill passed through its first vote in the House of Commons.

But how does the blind and partially sighted community feel about the result of the vote? Robert Kirkwood spoke with Selina Mills to hear her thoughts on the matter.

And to hear RNIB's response to the bill, hear our interview with Sophie Dudgeon, RNIB’s Head of...
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On Tuesday 1st of July, following a significant last-minute concession, the Welfare Reform Bill passed through its first vote in the House of Commons.

But how does the blind and partially sighted community feel about the result of the vote? We spoke with Harry Georgiou to hear what he thinks about the result of the vote.

And to hear RNIB's response to the bill, hear our interview with Sophie Dudgeon, RNIB’s H...
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On Tuesday 1st of July, following a significant last-minute concession, the Welfare Reform Bill passed through its first vote in the House of Commons.

But how does the blind and partially sighted community feel about the result of the vote? Amelia spoke with Yahya Pandor.

And to hear RNIB's response to the bill, hear our interview with Sophie Dudgeon, RNIB’s Head of Campaigns & Public Affairs: LINK
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Disabled people in the UK are being put under more financial pressure than ever, but what’s the true ‘price tag’? Hywel Davies has been speaking to UK charity Scope.

For more information on Scop and the Disability Price Tag 2025, visit their website - Home | Disability charity Scope UK
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With the first vote on the Welfare Reform Bill being passed in the Commons on Tuesday evening after some last minute major changes being made to the bill here on RNIB Connect Radio we are gathering the reactions, thoughts and comments from blind and partially sighted people with Yusuf Osman joining our Toby Davey.

And to hear RNIB's response to the bill, hear our interview with Sophie Dudgeon, RNIB’s Head of Campaigns...
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Going For Independence in Saltburn By Sea are working on a new audio drama by and for blind and partially sighted people.

Amelia spoke to founder, Pam Bennett, and member, Pat Grahame, to learn more.

Learn more about and contact Going For Independence on their website - goingforindependence.org

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters...
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The UK Government’s welfare bill passed its first vote in the Parliament on Tuesday, but what do blind and partially sighted people think of it? 

Barry Snell spoke with Dawn Hopper, who was keen to share her thoughts.

And to hear RNIB's response to the bill, hear our interview with Sophie Dudgeon, RNIB’s Head of Campaigns & Public Affairs: LINK

Want to share your thoughts on the bill? Drop us an ...
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We all know that there is a lack of blind and partially sighted people in Chief Executive and senior leadership roles within the sight loss sector. Well, now the New Horizons Programme lead by RNIB, Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust in collaboration with Hult Ashridge Executive Education, a provider of leadership and organisational development solutions will help to empower blind and partially sighted leaders with the sk...
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Join Jonathan Abro on the fourth of our Vietnam Travelogue series.

Do you take salt in your coffee? How about egg? Well Jonathan tries this and many other Vietnamese eats on his way through central Vietnam.

Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues.

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold bla...
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July 2, 2025 5 mins
Let’s catch up with Nigel Limb and find out what our resident petrolhead has been up to
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After a hugely successful career as a record breaking, multi medal winning, Para Cyclist, Lora Fachie will now step back from competitive cycling. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Lora about her racing career and her new role with British Blind Sport.

#RNIBConnect
Image Shows RNIB Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black letters With A Solid Pink Line Below
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UK sight loss charity RNIB, along with other disability organisations, have driven a campaign to make the UK Labour Government reverse it’s proposed changes to welfare payments for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

The changes would see many disabled people lose thousands of pounds a year, which they use to offset the extra costs of having a disability.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to...
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Multi-award winning Garden Designer Paul Hervey-Brookes has designed the RNIB Legacy Garden at the RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse 2025 (16-20 July 2025) supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Helen Smith RNIB’s Head of Legacy Engagement explains to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey how the garden came about, working with Paul on the garden, how the garden will help to show the general public wha...
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For Glaucoma Awareness week 2025 (30 June-6 July 2025) the Association of Optometrists (AOP) have published a research report revealing that there is a ticking time bomb of preventable sight loss. The report highlights that nearly half of people with the condition – often called the ‘invisible condition’ – remain undiagnosed, with some losing significant sight before noticing symptoms.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey ...
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