RNIB Connect

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 with the announcement that actor, and star of Disney+ UK’s ‘Rivals,’ Victoria Smurfit has been appointed as RNIB’s new President as Dame Gail Ronson DBE steps down after 14 years as President of the RNIB. Also with many peopl...

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Neil Atkinson, RNIB Scotland, Social Action Community Coordinator to find out how how he found it voting as a visually impaired person in the Scottish Parliament Election on Thursday 7 May 2026.   Neil gives his thoughts on how accessible the whole experience was for him, the level of support he received from polling station staff, his thoughts on any...

The parents of children who are blind or partially sighted are being given the chance to meet up in person and share their experiences. Hywel Davies has been hearing about the upcoming VICTA Parents Conference. For more information on the conference, visit the VICTA website -  VICTA Parents LIVE! - VICTA

RNIB’s See Work Differently Placement programme offers placements across RNIB Teams and gives people with sight loss the chance to gain real work experience with supportive employers and move closer to the jobs and futures they want.  Amelia is here speaking to Aarifah Karim who is on placement with the Policy team, and her manager Erik Matthies to learn more. Learn more about available See Work D...

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 Leeds. For more information, visit the Sight Village website -  Sight Village Leeds 2026 - Queen Alexandra College

We are celebrating the power of people helping other people and an incredible £15 million in flexible funding raised by players of the Postcode Lottery supporting the work that the RNIB does to help blind and partially sighted people live more independently and with greater confidence too. One such area of the RNIB’s work is through Lara Marshall’s role as RNIB’s Libraries Engagement Manager and w...

We are celebrating the power of people helping other people and an incredible £15 million in flexible funding raised by players of the Postcode Lottery supporting the work that the RNIB does to help blind and partially sighted people live more independently and with greater confidence too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the Postcode Lottery to find...

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 it was all about the greatest show on earth as Vidar reviewed the current touring production of ‘Barnum’ as it visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description b...

The RNIB has announced today (7 May 2026) that actor, and star of Disney+ UK’s ‘Rivals,’ Victoria Smurfit has been appointed as the charity’s new President. Victoria takes on the role as Dame Gail Ronson DBE steps down after 14 years of dedicated service. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dame Gail Ronson DBE for a bit of a look back over her 14 years as RNIB President as she passes o...

The RNIB has announced today (7 May 2026) that actor, and star of Disney+ UK’s ‘Rivals,’ Victoria Smurfit has been appointed as the charity’s new President. Victoria takes on the role as Dame Gail Ronson DBE steps down after 14 years of dedicated service. Victoria brings a personal connection to RNIB as mum to Evie age 21, who was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy as a child. Victoria a...

Bournemouth-based writer, theatre-maker and Audio Description Consultant Tam Gilbert is almost coming to the end of her time as the second Trainee Artistic Director at Extant the UK”s leading professional performing arts company of visually impaired artists and theatre practitioners. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Tam to find out more about her writing and theatre background, how h...

Collective Climate Repair is a UK initiative showing how simple, nature-based actions with plants and water can tackle climate change in practical, accessible ways lead by the Sensory Trust. As part of the project the Sensory Trust in partnership with Trees for Cities are running a free tree touch tour in London’s Victoria park on Saturday 16 May from 2pm to 3.30pm for blind and partially sighted...

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 most recent Focus Group meeting was all about the RNIB’s research around Primary Eye Care with the focus group looking into community eye care.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined...

Time to browse through some of the products that are available in the RNIB’s online shop as Charlee Jarvis, RNIB Shop buying administrator gives RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey a walk through some of the items that are currently on display including the Hable Speechlabels.  Designed for blind and partially sighted people, the Hable Speechlabels are QR labels scanned by your smartphone allowing you...

RNIB’s See Work Differently Placement programme offers placements across RNIB Teams and gives people with sight loss the chance to gain real work experience with supportive employers and move closer to the jobs and futures they want.  RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew is joined by Anita Marshall from the Legal Right Service team at RNIB, as well as Hannah Barrett who is currently doing her pla...

A sensational goal scored by the England Women’s Blind Football team has been featured in a new documentary. Hywel Davies has been finding out how the project came about and what an impact it could have on the sport. You can find the fully-accessible documentary on Veo's YouTube page -  Signal And Noise: The Łucja Wyrwantowicz Story

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 celebrating and thanking all of the Team RNIB runners who took part in the 2026 London Marathon raising over £200,00 for the RNIB and then to the incredible £15million milestone in flexible funding since 2018 raised by pla...

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 Vidar is reviewing an award-winning stage adaptation of one of his favourite books as the current touring production of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ visited the Birming...

As International Dawn Chorus day approaches, how can birdsong boost your wellebing? Amelia gets tips from RSPB Wildlife Expert Beth Dean ahead of International Dawn Chorus day. Learn more about International Dawn Chorus Day 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...

It’s time to celebrate the huge, positive, difference that volunteers make to charities across the UK. Today Barry Snell talks to RNIB's volunteer facilitator Angela Davey. For more details on volunteering with RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk/volunteering #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneat...

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio speak to some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on at the moment. Hywel Davies has been finding out more. If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved , email campaigns@rnib.org.uk You can visit rnib.org.uk/news   or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Follow @RNIB_Campaigns on your socials or search...

We are celebrating the power of people helping other people and an incredible £15 million in flexible funding raised by players of the Postcode Lottery supporting the work that the RNIB does to help blind and partially sighted people live more independently and with greater confidence too. One such area of the RNIB’s work is the Visibly Better Employer Standard helping employers to support their v...

If you'reblind or partially sighted and voting in the 2026 UK elections, there are various pieces of assistive technology, and staff support, on offer to help you cast your vote independently and in secret. There are differences around the UK, so what can you expect? RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to RNIB to find out what you are entitled to. If you’d like more info on what’s available t...

This June The Eden Project are encouraging communities across Scotland to come together for ‘The Big Do’. Hywel Davies has been finding out how you can join the fun. Visit the Eden Project website for more information on The Big Do -  The big do - Eden Project communities

A symphony of beautiful birdsong will take place on the 3rd of May, but how can you recognise birds using their song?  Amelia gets tips from RSPB Wildlife Expert Beth Dean ahead of International Dawn Chorus day. Tune in again to learn how birdsong can boost your wellbeing. Learn more about International Dawn Chorus Day on the RSPB website - RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity Image shows...