RNIB - Health and Wellbeing

British Heart Foundation have conducted new research on how stereotypes around cardiovascular conditions impact mental health.The charity is flipping the memorial bench into a symbol of survival and sharing the stories of people with heart conditions.Amelia spoke to Sindy Jodar, Senior Cardiac Nurse, to learn more...Learn more about BHF on their website - The biggest independent funder of heart and circulatory research in the UK - BHFImage 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. 

Step Change Studios is an award-winning, inclusive dance company committed to making dance accessible for everyone. Based in the UK, they offer fun and engaging dance opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.They are currently running a slightly unusual class that you can join easily over the phone and here tell us more about it Community Dance Practitioner, Zoe Elliott.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.

Yoga teacher Dawn Blezard returns to the Happy Hour to chat with Paulina about setting gentle New Year's resolutions and some of her own tips for starting 2026 well.You can find out more about Dawn by searching for "Pathway Yoga with Dawn" on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.Image shows a birds eye view photo shows Dawn holding a pose on her black yoga matt. Her legs are crossed and she holds onto her toes on either side of her body as she looks up at the camera. She has blonde hair set in two French braids and is wearing a lilac long sleeve top with patterned leggings. The yoga matt is black with high contract purple alignment lines, which are designed to help align your body and improve posture during yoga poses.

Charity Exeter Pride is launching a new initiative, which hopes to create a greater dialogue around sexual health, sexual identity and inclusivity. Joining us on the Happy Hour to tell us more about it, is Sam Pritchard, accessibility lead for Exeter Pride in Devon.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.

On our 2026 Happiness Guide special of the Happy Hour, we're joining Paulina on a gentle winter stroll through Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow.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.

On our 2026 Happiness Guide special of the Happy Hour, we're joined, once again by Amanda Hawkins. Amanda is the  Head of Counselling Emotional and Mental Health at RNIB and shares her tips for creating realistic and lasting new year's resolutions. 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.

On the End of Year Reset special of the Happy Hour, we're joined by yoga teacher Dawn Blezard. Dawn shares her gentle yoga routine that will help soothe any stomach pain or bloating, especially post-holidays! Image shows a birds eye view photo shows Dawn holding a pose on her black yoga matt. Her legs are crossed and she holds onto her toes on either side of her body as she looks up at the camera. She has blonde hair set in two French braids and is wearing a lilac long sleeve top with patterned leggings. The yoga matt is black with high contract purple alignment lines, which are designed to help align your body and improve posture during yoga poses.

On our End of Year Reset special of the Happy Hour, we're joined by Amanda Hawkins. Amanda is the  Head of Counselling Emotional and Mental Health at RNIB and shares her tips for a meaningful and gentle end of year reflection. 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.

On the End of Year Reset special of the Happy Hour, chef Kim Jaye returns to share her favourite healthy recipe. It's her scrumptious Sweetcorn Kofte! Recipe: Kofte are small balls, approximately 2 cm in diameter. These sweetcorn Koftes are not only healthy, but they are also Moorish. I often have a batch in the freezer ready to cook either as a snack, starters, or even a main dish. I can eat this dish without guilt and to my heart’s content. The exterior is crispy whilst the interior soft, and deliciously aromatic. Not only is it tasty, it is also great for vegans and those who require a gluten-free diet. This recipe can be transformed into burgers, for this double the mixture and when forming make burger size patties. Whenever freezing the sweetcorn Kofte balls, bake in the oven for at least 10 minutes to allow the Kofte balls to harden slightly. Cool before freezing. Equipment. 1 large mixing bowl. 1 knife. 1 Masher or blitzer. 1 baking tray. (The use of an oven.) Ingredients. 500g frozen sweetcorn, defrosted and blitzed or mashed to a pulp. 2 large red capsicum peppers finely sliced. 1 large red onion finely sliced. Approximately 250 g rice flour. 75 g cornflour. 1 teaspoon salt. ¼  Teaspoon of black pepper. 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika. ½ Teaspoon of cumin powder. 50 g of chopped coriander. Method. In a large mixing bowl add the mashed sweetcorn pulp, cumin powder., the onions, peppers, coriander, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly. Add the cornflour, mixing well. Add the rice flour a tablespoon at a time, mixing the mixture until it becomes thick and when squeezed in the hand it retains its shape. Taking a small handful of the mixture form it into balls approximately 2 cm in diameter, placing them on a tray. Keep doing this until all the mixture is used. In an oven at 170° bake the sweetcorn Kofte balls for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot with either a relish, vegetables or salad. Image shows Kim in a glamorous black top with diamante trim and sparkly earrings. Her dark long her flows down her back. She's standing in the kitchen, her hand resting on the microwave. 

On the Merry & Mindful special we have a wonderful festive recipe. Chef Kim Jaye shares her recipe for the Bavarian farmhouse pie. Recipe: This dish originating in Europe took the humble sausage roll, shazamed it with flavour, it’s deliciously gutsy ingredients metamorphosising a lunchtime favourite into a satisfying dish. Perfect either as a starter or a main dish. It is often on my table whenever I do a buffet, it can be served either hot or cold. This dish once the pie has been made, can be frozen. Whenever cooking from frozen ensure that the pie has been defrosted. Equipment. 1 large mixing bowl. 1 rolling pin. 1 pastry board.  Pastry brush. 1 knife. 1 baking tray. (The use of an oven.) Ingredients. 2 packets of skinless sausages (if you can’t find skinless sausages, cut the top of the sausage and squeeze the meat out) for vegetarians and vegans 2 packets of vegan sausages (approximately 6 –8 sausages in a pack). 1 packet ready – rolled puff pastry. (For those who are gluten-free, shortcrust pastry is fine.) 1 small white onion finely chopped. 7 button mushrooms washed and finely chopped. 1 small red capsicum pepper deseeded and finely chopped. 8 slices of bread blitzed or chopped into fine breadcrumbs. 2 teaspoons of dried mixed herbs. 10 rosemary leaves finely chopped. ¼ Teaspoon black pepper. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional). 5 tablespoons of plain flour. Milk or egg to glaze. Method. In a large mixing bowl add the sausages and mash down until it becomes a pulp. Add the chopped onions, peppers, mushrooms, rosemary, mixed herbs and black pepper, mix well. Add the breadcrumbs and mix. The mixture should be firm to the touch and when squeezed in the hand should remain compact. On a pastry board sprinkle a dusting of flour and gently placed the puff pastry on top, rolling the pastry gently twice over the surface. With a knife divide the pastry into two halves, leaving one half on the pastry board and setting the other one aside. With half the sausage mixture, spread the mixture the length of the pastry. Gently bring the sides together, encasing it into a long rectangular pie. Repeat the process with the second half of the pastry. Glaze the top and sides of the pies with milk, sprinkling the mustard seeds on top. Place on a baking tray in a heated oven at 170° cooking for 25 minutes until golden brown. This dish can be served hot or cold, either as a main dish or as a starter. This dish is lovely with onion sauce on the side. The creaminess of the onion sauce melding passionately with the Bavarian pie. Onion sauce. Onion sauce is one of those accompaniments which takes me back to my childhood and school dinners. It is seriously overlooked, but together with the humble sausage, the unusual pairing dances a jig of taste sensation in the mouth. Equipment. 1 knife. 1 large saucepan. 1 ladle. (The use of a hob.) Ingredients. 60g of butter. 100g of white flour. Approximately 600ml milk. 1 medium sized double cream. 1 medium white onion finely chopped. 40g finely chopped chives. 1 teaspoon of salt. ¼ teaspoon of black pepper Method. In a large pan add the butter and melt over a gentle heat. Add the flour and mix well. The flour and butter will come together into a dough ball. Slowly add the Double cream, beating thoroughly in between. The dough ball will feel lumpy, but with the slow addition of the liquid and the beating, the mixture will become smooth. Add some of the milk and beat, carry on doing this until the sauce is thick, the ball turning into the consistency of thick cream. Add the chopped onions, salt and black pepper, simmer for five minutes. Add the chives. Serve hot with your favourite dishes. Image shows Kim in a glamorous black top with diamante trim and sparkly earrings. Her dark long her flows down her back. She's standing in the kitchen, her hand resting on the microwave. 

On the Happy Hour, a festive book recommendation with Luci Franks. It's a holiday classic read by Sir Patrick Stewart.  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.

On our Merry & Mindful Special, Adrian Thomas from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) guides us through the birds of the festive favourite song, "12 Days of Christmas." Find out more about RSPB here: RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity 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.

On the Happy Hour this week we’re shining a spotlight on a local charity that is supporting blind and partially sighted people across West of England. Joining Paulina Kuchorew o tell us more about the important work of Sight Support West of England is Glenda Prall. 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.

On the Happy Hour, an interesting book recommendation full of heartfelt storytelling, humour, and even a touch of philosophy. With her review of  The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, it's Amelia. If you're blind or partially sighted, you can access this Talking Book and more through the RNIB Library, visit: Home - Reading Services  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.

How can we free ourselves from negative mental binds?Joining us for another Off the Matt Chat is Dawn Blezard from Pathway Yoga.You can find out more about Dawn by searching for "Pathway Yoga with Dawn" on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.Image shows a birds eye view photo shows Dawn holding a pose on her black yoga matt. Her legs are crossed and she holds onto her toes on either side of her body as she looks up at the camera. She has blonde hair set in two French braids and is wearing a lilac long sleeve top with patterned leggings. The yoga matt is black with high contract purple alignment lines, which are designed to help align your body and improve posture during yoga poses.#RNIBYoga

 November is Diabetes Awareness Month and with 589 million adults worldwide living with the condition, this number is expect to raise to over 850 million by 2050.  The condition comes with many complications, and with the increased pressure on NHS and healthcare systems worldwide, a new clinical trial could be a major step forward in how diabetic complications are treated. Joining Paulina on the Happy Hour, is Stanley Kim, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of WinSanTor. 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.

We’re going to chat today about the importance of connecting with others in a similar situation as yourself. Nathan Hood is a member of the 18 to 35 year olds peer-to-peer support group in Northern Ireland and he joined Paulina on the Happy Hour. 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.

Joining us on the Happy Hour is Rimple Raja, creator and host of the Unseen Adventures Podcast.  Rimple is a mum of two teens and created the podcast as a platform to talk about sight loss, happiness, life, and everything else in between. She spoke with RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew. 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.

From picture-perfect Instagram feeds to unsolicited advice at the school gates, many parents feel they’re under constant scrutiny.  A new study from MAM Baby UK, as part of its “As They Grow, So Do You” campaign, reveals that almost two in three parents say they feel pressure to be a “perfect parent.”  Joining Paulina on the Happy Hour to chat about this is Midwife, Parenting Expert and Mum of 3, Zoe Watson.  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.