RNIB Connect

There are many reasons why people may find it difficult to get online and build their digital skills. Hywel Davies has been hearing about one project in Wales that’s been working to battle digital exclusion across the country. You can find more information on Digital Inclusion on the Welsh Government website - Digital inclusion in Wales

For many people, selling items online is an easy way to make some extra money and clear out unwanted clutter. But when do you need to start paying tax on these earnings? Hywel Davies has been speaking to HMRC for some advice. You can find out more information about selling online here - Information for online sellers - GOV.UK

On World Braille Day 2025 as we mark the day that Louis Braille was born (4 January 1809) and in the year where we all celebrate 200 years since Louis Braille invented his six-dot tactile reading and writing system that we all know as Braille do join our Toby Davey for an amazing guided tour of the Louis Braille Museum.  The Louis Braille Museum is located in the actual Braille family home where Louis grew up in the village of Coupvray just over 30 miles from the centre of Paris which includes his Father’s workshop where he had the accident that caused his blindness. Farida Saïdi the Director of the Louis Braille Museum gave RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey a guided tour of both the house and museum, giving an insight into Louis Braille’s early life and how he came to invent his six-dot tactile reading and writing system.  Farida very kindly also offered Toby the opportunity to explore through touch some of Louis’ belongings including one of his raised letter school books, a domino that he had played with plus the Braille slate he used to write his Braille on.  You will find more information about the Louis Braille Museum by visiting there website - https://museelouisbraille.com/en More details about how the RNIB is celebrating 200 years since Louis Braille invented Braille and be found on the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/about-us/braille-200/ Image shows Toby stood in front of the Louis Braille Museum holding his cane in his right hand

We’ve brought four blind and partially sighted Christmas lovers together to discuss their favourite festive traditions, food and films and some of their not-so-favourite things about the Christmas period.  Social Media Content Creator and RNIB Ambassador Claire Sisk, husband and wife Sam and Martin Ralfe and Haggeye member Georgea are the festive four, making some jolly conversation and sharing their festive song pics.  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. 

Take a seat and get wrapped up in Grace’s wonderful short story, The Christmas Bake-off Bonanza. 🧁 It follows her main character Holly, who is blind, as she takes on a challenge with her best friend Hazel.  Grace is a passionate young writer, who was born with a condition called Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and only has light perception. She won RNIB's World Book Day competition with her previous piece, The Mysterious Box. Image: Grace is sat in a comfy grand navy armchair. She’s got long brunette hair and is wearing a red Christmas jumper that has a picture of a festive white cat with a glittery bow and star above its head. Around her armchair is Christmas décor, made up of a traditional Santa Claus statue, a golden Christmas tree and a white snowman teddy with a big glittery, pointy hat.

Join Jonathan for a very special festive trip to New York. 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 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 celebrates Hannukah and Christmas with friends across the world. 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 black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

Chris McCausland's Strictly win has prompted more blind and partially sighted people to get dancing. Amelia spoke to Dr Rashmi Becker MBE, the founder of inclusive Dance Company Step Change Studios, to hear about their new students and why more people are trying out their twinkle toes. Learn more about their classes on the Step Change Studio website - www.stepchangestudios.com/ 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. 

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 in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews This week Vidar was reviewing a new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes by Playwright Nancy Harris at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describers Ess Grange and Carolyn Smith. About The Red shoes: When an orphaned young woman is taken in by some local do-gooders, she is expected to be seen and not heard. Dazzled by a pair of beautiful shoes, she sees the chance to do and be so much more, but soon her feet betray her, taking her to places she does not wish to go. This Christmas, get up close to the magic as playwright Nancy Harris brings Hans Christian Andersen’s dark fairy tale into the 21st century in the intimate surroundings of the Swan Theatre. Directed by Kimberley Rampersad (Associate Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival, Canada) in her RSC debut, The Red Shoes is both wickedly funny and a cautionary tale of pride, vanity and how we all deserve to dance how we wish to dance. There is another audio described performance of the Red Shoes on Saturday 28 December at 1pm and for more details about this and other described performances at the RSC do visit the access pages of their website - https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/access You will also find out more about access at the Royal Shakespeare Company by visiting the following pages of their website - https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/access (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

The Royal Ballet and Opera House in London continue their programme of access to their productions for blind and partially sighted people with both live and recorded audio described performances, along with accompanying introductory notes and touch tours. If you have ever wondered what goes in to audio describing ballet and dance then do join RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey for an insight into how the Royal Ballet’s current production of Cinderella is brought to life for blind and partially sighted people through pre show introductory notes, touch tours and audio described performances. Prior to the general rehearsal of Cinderella On Monday 2 December 2024 Toby caught up with Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Jane Brambley to find out what goes in to the process of describing a ballet production like Cinderella, how they both work on their description scripts, thinking about what props and costumes to include on a touch tour and whether they adapt their live description script at all for the recorded description which is now available at every performance of Cinderella.  After chatting with Julia and Jane Toby also caught up with Ania Kapazat, one of the Administrative Producers at the Royal Ballet, to find out more about how she has helped Julia and Jane with their description as well as listening in to the dry run of their audio description at the general rehearsal of Cinderella. During the first interval of the general rehearsal of Cinderella Toby managed to catch up with Kevin O'Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, to firstly chat about how things have gone in getting this production of Cinderella to the general rehearsal, how embedded access and audio description is within the company and a snap shot stand out moment from Cinderella that really shows how everything comes together to bring the story of Cinderella to life on stage with audio description too. About Cinderella The Royal Ballet’s current production of Cinderella continues on the main stage of the Royal Opera House until 16 January 2025 with recorded audio description now available at every performance.  This enchanting ballet by The Royal Ballet’s Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton is a theatrical experience for all the family over the festive holiday. A co-production between the Royal Ballet and the national Ballet of Canada. In 1939, Frederick Ashton first began to consider creating a full-length work, the Company's first three-act ballet. At the time it seemed like the obvious next step for British ballet. The idea was shelved during the war but in 1946 Ashton returned urgently to it. Inspired by other balletic adaptations of Cinderella coming out of Russia, Ashton chose to create his own version of Charles Perrault’s famous rags-to-riches story. Set to Prokofiev’s exquisite score the ballet received its premiere in 1948 featuring Moira Shearer and Michael Some's in the lead roles.  A World Where Dreams Blossom  The designs of this production of Cinderella are heavily influenced by nature and flowers. As the Fairy Godmother and the Seasons’ fairies come into Cinderella’s world, the muted tones of the family living room are taken over by a burst of colour. The creative team behind the exquisite world of Cinderella includes set designer Tom Pye (My Neighbour Totoro, Olivier award for Best Set Design), costume designer Alexandra Byrne (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Academy Award for Best Costume Design), lighting designer David Finn (Brokeback Mountain), video designer Finn Ross (Les Miserables, Frozen) and illusions by Chris Fisher (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child).   To find out more about The Royal Ballet’s current production of Cinderella do visit the following pages of the RBO website - https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/cinderella-details You will also find more information about access at the royal Ballet and Opera House on the following access pages of their website - https://www.rbo.org.uk/visit/access-at-rbo 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.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell sat down with some of RNIB’s campaigns team to look back at a few national and local projects the charity took on in 2024. If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved, email campaigns@rnib.org.uk Visit rnib.org.uk/news or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 If you like your socials, follow @RNIB_Campaigns on X or search your socials for RNIB Campaigns #RNIBConnect Image Show RNIB Logo, RNIB in Bold Black Letters with A Solid Pink Line Below

UK sight loss charity has recently published it’s annual report for 2024. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Matt Stringer, RNIB CEO, to find out what the report contains and how people can read the interactive document. If you’d like to read the report, go to www.rnib.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image Shows A Smiling Matt Stringer Wearing A Grey Jacket and Glasses

As we approach the end of 2024, RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell sits down with some of the world’s leading sight loss charities to look back at the year and ahead to the next.  They discuss the organisations challenges, highlights and memorable moments.  Today, it’s Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB.  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.

Today Jonathan takes us on an adventure to a natural wonder. Join him as he visits a waterfall in Guatemala which runs both hot and cold. 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 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 visits the iconic Niagra Falls in North America. 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 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 enjoys a tango performance and visits the waterfalls of Brazil and Argentina. 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 black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

Time for a trip to the famous Victoria Falls with Jonathan Abro. He takes us to the world's largest waterfall in today's Travelogue. Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues. Image Description: 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.

Build something magical with text-based lego instructions.  Bricks For The Blind share free guides so blind and partially sighted people can enjoy the beloved sets.  Amelia spoke to CEO and Founder, Matthew Shifrin, to learn more. Learn more about Bricks For The Blind and access their accessible building instructions on their website - https://bricksfortheblind.org/ Image shows Matthew, a white man with curly ginger hair, sitting at a desk with his hand on a completed Lego set of a large 1900s building.

In the lead up to Christmas and with many productions of what is a real classic festive ballet treat The Nutcracker, what might it be like going to an audio described ballet performance from a blind or partially sighted persons point of view.  Well for a bit of a festive audio described theatre review RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was not only joined by ITV News Inclusion and Diversity Consultant Vidar Hjarding MBE but also by our very own Allan Russell to go on a magical journey through a number of ballet productions of The Nutcracker. Following the whole AD experience from the pre-show introductory notes, to the touch tour prior to the performance and then to the live audio described performance itself. Allan reflected on going to see the recent Scottish Ballet production of The Nutcracker with Vidar looking back on many performances of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker which he has seen many times with audio description. To find out more about Scottish Ballet’s access offer do visit - https://scottishballet.co.uk/discover/access/ And for more about Birmingham Royal Ballet do visit - https://www.brb.org.uk 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.

As we all celebrate 200 years since Louis Braille invented his six-dot tactile reading and writing system for blind and partially sighted people through the RNIB Braille 200 year long celebrations raising the awareness of Braille to visually impaired and sighted people here on RNIB Connect Radio we are chatting with people who are Braille users to find out what Braille means to them and how Braille has maybe helped them throughout their life. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with the Right Honourable Lord Blunkett who has been using Braille since a very early age to find out how Braille has helped him throughout his life and of course during his political career too.  To find out more about Braille and how the RNIB is celebrating 200 years since Louis Braille invented his six-dot tactile reading and writing system, do visit the Braille200 pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/about-us/braille-200 Image shows the Braille 200 logo with 'Braille 200' written at the top in white text on a pink background with a visual Braille representation of the same text below it. Across the bottom is written Powered by RNIB and EBU written in their respective logos.