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

August 25, 2025 47 mins
HMS Belfast, built by Harland & Wolff in 1936 was launched on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1938 by Anne Chamberlain – the wife of then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

In her 24 year’s of active service HMS Belfast played many key roles in battles and peace-keeping duties around the world before being brought to London by IWM and opening to the public on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1971.

So do join RNIB Co...
Mark as Played
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio sits down with  of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week RNIB’s Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer Vivienne Francis talks about  the next stage of RNIB’s Travel and Transport reports. 

If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk

You ca...
Mark as Played
August 21, 2025 7 mins
If you’re a user of the JAWS screen reader, you might be aware of recent changes to the pricing structure of the software. But what does it all mean for UK users? Tech Talk’s Jackie Brown has been finding out.

You can hear Jackie's full conversation with Stuart Lawler from Sight and Sound on this week’s episode of Tech Talk, on Tuesday August 26th at 2pm.

Mark as Played
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. 
Mark as Played
For students up and down the country results day is a nerve-wracking time. But students at The Royal National College for the Blind have had a lot to celebrate, as Hywel Davies has been finding out.

For more information on the RNC, visit the ir website - A specialist residential college for young people with visual impairment

Mark as Played
Tech Talk’s Callum Stoneman has been speaking to Orbit Research about their newest product, the Orbit Player.


Mark as Played
There are many ways in which you can help the RNIB in making a more inclusive society for blind and partially sighted people and one way is through the regular RNIB Voice of the Customer Focus Group meetings.

The next round of the RNIB Voice of the Customer Focus Group meetings will be looking at community eye-care.

RNIB connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Zein, one of the RNIB’s Research Champion Volunt...
Mark as Played
Robert Kirkwood finds out about a community hub based in East Kilbride that serves South Lanarkshire and surrounding areas with not only food parcels but also school uniforms, toiletries, pet supplies and much more.

Two blind veterans have found friendship through the service and they even have a blind volunteer who helps every week, as we find out from Loaves and Fishes chairperson Lesley Davidson.

Image sho...
Mark as Played
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits 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 is joined by RNIB’s Chief Financial Officer, Kathryn Sherratt, as they discuss the official opening of RNIB Scotland’s new HQ in Edinburgh and there’s even a mention of Christmas.

If you, or someone you know, would like information on...
Mark as Played
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.

This time we have the musical comedy that is ‘The Addams Family’ as the current tour visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Jonathan ...
Mark as Played
On Thursday 14th of August, following an extensive refurbishment, RNIB Scotland officially re-opened their Edinburgh HQ.

Allan Russell went ahead to the grand re-opening to check it out for himself. 

Image shows from left to right: James Adams, Sarah Boyack MSP, Matt Stringer, and finally Kirin Saeed cutting the pink ribbon. Matt is clapping as he stands behind Sarah and Kirin. James is standing behind them a...
Mark as Played
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 North West.

For more information, visit the Sight Village website - Sight Village Blackpool 2025 - Queen Alexandra College
Mark as Played
Accessible technology company ‘Envision’ launched their new ‘Ally Solos Glasses’ on August the 14th. Tech Talk’s Callum Stoneman spoke to the team behind the wearable, hands-free AI glasses.
You can hear a longer version of Callum’s conversation with Envision on next week’s episode of Tech Talk.


Mark as Played
RNIB Connect Radio’s Kris Wallace, daughter Jess, and other family members will take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for UK sight loss charity RNIB.

Kris spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell about the challenge, the prep and why Jess is leading the charge.

If you’d like to sponsor Jess and her family go to www.justgiving.com/team/jessjollywalkers

#RNIBConnect
Image Shows RNIB Lo...
Mark as Played
Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio descriptio...
Mark as Played
The Pleasance Theatre Trust has been working with Sight Scotland to provide visual awareness training to over 250 of their Edinburgh Festival Fringe staff to make the experience of visiting one of their Pleasance Fringe venues as accessible as possible for visually impaired festival goers as well as offering more audio described performances this year too.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Jonny Patton, He...
Mark as Played
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 began with his review of RNIB’s very own stand-up comedian Tom Skelton and his Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 show ‘Visually Impaired Papa’, then looking forward to the official opening of the refurbished RNIB Scotland office in Hill Side Crescent, Edinb...
Mark as Played
History meets punk rock and ballet in an exciting production at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival.

Amelia spoke to Co-Audio Describer Emma-Jane McHenry to learn more about the production and her process along with Co-Audio Describer Fiona Pedgrift.

Learn more about the production here - Mary, Queen of Scots | Edinburgh International Festival

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a wh...
Mark as Played
What are zines and how have they been used in disability justice?

Amelia spoke to Adam Rose, the Co-curator of the Zines display, and Jake Blackavar, a Visitor Experience and Engagement Facilitator, to learn about tactile and audio zines and their upcoming audio described tours of the Wellcome Collection's exhibition.

Learn more about Zines Forever! on the The Wellcome Collection Website - Zines Forever! DIY...
Mark as Played
Journey to the underworld and back with Opera Australia, presenting Opera Queensland’s production of Orpheus and Eurydice in association with Circa for the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival (EIF).

Opera and circus acrobatics combine for this striking production with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a chorus from Scottish Opera for the European premiere of this electrifying production of Gluck’s seminal opera.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

    Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.