RNIB Connect

Visually Impaired comedian Jake Donaldson has a new show about nostalgia, sight loss and his boyhood dream of joining the band Weezer.Amelia learned more about the show ahead of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.Book Tickets for the Glasgow International COmedy Festival date at 9 pm on Friday 13th March here - Jake Donaldson: The Fifth Weezer - Glasgow International Comedy FestivalLearn more about Jake on his website - Jake Donaldson Comedy - Listen on YouTube, Spotify - Linktree

A new weekly running group in Cardiff is giving blind and partially sighted people the chance to get active and make new friends. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.For more information on the Cardiff VI Runners group, visit their Facebook Page - (1) Cardiff VI Runners | Facebook 

Let’s talk gaming and how you can get involved in accessible gaming with other blind and partially sighted people. David Hogg has more.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.

Simon Antrobus is the new Chief Executive of UK sight loss charity, RNIB.RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell sat down with Simon to learn more about his career, so far, his thoughts on the charity’s direction and how he switches off from the day job.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.

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 a look back over some great theatre shows he saw in 2025 with audio description as well as some highlights of productions that Vidar is looking forward to seeing in 2026.Don’t forget to catch Vidar’s regular audio described theatre reviews on RNIB Connect Radio or via this podcast channel. (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)

RNIB is running a new series of support groups for blind and partially sighted people.They are facilitated by a qualified counsellor and provide a confidential and therapeutic space where you can receive support from a professional and others with a similar eye condition or life experience.Each group runs on teams with audio format only for 8 weeks, with a maximum of 7 participants, ensuring plenty of time to connect and be supported.Amelia spoke to Nikki Crosby, RNIB Counselling Team leader, to learn more.Visit the events page on the RNIB website to view the upcoming groups - Events and courses to help you develop your skills | RNIB Contact the counselling and wellbeing team at CWT@rnib.org.uk or contact the helpline on 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or say: “Alexa, call RNIB Helpline” to an Alexa-enabled device.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. 

Join Jonathan as he continues exploring the Balkans by bus, stopping at the modern city of Shkodër.He learns more about the community came together after a dark period of history.Listen to Jonathan's Travelogues every Wednesday on The Lunch Break from 12 noon to 1 pm.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. 

The Motability Foundation and UK sight loss charity RNIB, are collaborating on several research projects to improve the independent mobility of blind and partially sighted people.RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to John Worsfold, RNIB, and Nicola Gampell, Motability Foundation, to learn more about the work and it’s goals.If you’d like to learn more about the research, go to www.rnib.org.uk/motability-foundation or www.future-journeys.com#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, RNIB In Bold Black Letter, A Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

NaviLens has arrived at some bus stops in the West Lothian area. David Hogg finds out more..

How can you reconnect with the people you care about? VI Counsellor Sally Clay spoke to Amelia about reasons distance can happen and ways you can come back together.Listen to Good Company on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm and 1st Sunday of each month at 8pm.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.

A free service from the charity ‘Sight Loss Shropshire’ is matching blind and partially sighted people with accessible technology. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.

Inclusive Farm offers opportunities for people with disability and difference to gain skills in Agriculture.Amelia spoke to blind farmer and CEO, Mike Duxbury, for an update on their Aberdeenshire farm and their plans for 2026.Learn more on the Inclusive Farm website - Inclusive Farm | Cultivating Ideas for GrowthImage 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. 

Army veteran Clive Jones has recently become an MBE. He shares his story with David Hogg and what it was like to receive the honour.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. 

Join Jonathan as he continues exploring the Balkans by bus, taking a chaotic journey to the 'city of windows' and exploring impactful museums.Listen to Jonathan's Travelogues every Wednesday on The Lunch Break from 12 noon to 1 pm.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. 

The government has announced a new NHS online hospital service is being launched in England next year. It will focus on nine health conditions, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.Amelia spoke to RNIB Head of Policy, Mike Wordingham, to learn about what this means for blind and partially sighted people in England.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. Learn more on the NHS England website - NHS England » Menopause and prostate conditions prioritised for NHS’s new online hospital

Researchers in Jordan are exploring health-related wellbeing and sleep quality among visually impaired people. Amelia spoke to one of the researchers, Dr.Hisham Jammal, to learn what they discovered and how it will impact support for blind and partially sighted people.Read 'Jammal, H. M., Khader, Y., Kanaan, S. F., Al-Dwairi, R., Mohidat, H., Al-Omari, R., … Al Bdour, M. The Effect of Visual Impairment and Its Severity on Vision-Related and Health-Related Quality of Life in Jordan: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (2023).' here - https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S431159Read 'Jammal, H.M., Khader, Y., Almhdawi, K. et al. Association between visual impairment and sleep quality: A cross-sectional, comparative study of severity, eye conditions, and risk factors. Eye (2025)' here - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-04150-0Image 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. 

How do people around the world welcome the new year? Which red animals will appear this month? Amelia is back with the first almanac of 2026.Learn more about the birds and nature you can enjoy this month on the RSPB website - The year in natureImage 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.

Leeds Playhouse is hosting a new staging of the Charles Dickens tale ‘A Christmas Carol’. Hywel Davies caught up with visually impaired actor Amy Forrest to hear more about the production.

Join globe-trotter Jonathan Abro as he reflects on some of his most memorable journeys around the world. Through great music picks and conversation with Amelia Hilton, he shares joyful, moving and exhilarating stories from his travels.The music in this podcast has been shortened from the original broadcast for rights reasons.Listen to Jonathan's travelogues every Wednesday on The Lunch Break with Hubert Pawelkiewicz from 12 noon to 1 pm.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. 

Happy Holidays! On RNIB Connect Radio we spoke with young Emmy Anstee to find out how she and her family make the festive period inclusive. 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.