RNIB Conversations

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. 

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. 

Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Barcelona - Monday 25 November, 8pm, Duke of York’s theatre, London Northern Ballet: A Christmas Carol - Saturday 30 November, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm, Theatre Royal Nottingham Beauty and the Beast - Saturday 7 December, 6.30pm, touch tour 5pm, Gala Durham Dick Whittington and his Cat - Sunday 8 December, 1pm Hackney Empire, London All’s Well that Ends Well - Thursday 12 December 2pm, touch tour 12noon and Friday 20 December, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the regular What’s On email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

Hannah Stevenson loves to stay active and has refused to let her sight loss stop her from doing the things she loves.  She's been sharing her sight loss journey with RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 about an organisation based in rural North Yorkshire and supporting blind and partially sighted people in the area.   Joining our Paulina Kuchorew is the chair of trustees at Sight Support Ryedale, Ann Ruddick MBE. 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.

Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Macbeth -  Thursday 14 November, 7.30pm, Harold Pinter Theatre, London The Sound of Music -  Saturday 16 November, 7.30pm, King’s Lynn Corn Exchange Cluedo 2 - Thursday 21 November, 7.30pm, Fareham Live Dear Evan Hansen - Wednesday 27 November, 2.30pm, New Theatre Oxford Churchill War Rooms - Audio Described Guide, London To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the regular What’s On email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

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. 

With winter just around the corner for this week’s regular check in with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick it is all about supplements and vitamins.   Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about the different types of supplements and vitamins that are available which might help us to get through the winter and those dark nights. Elizabeth then explained what the difference is between fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. With not much sun to speak of during the winter we then moved on to a detailed explanation of what vitamin D is all about and how to keep those levels of vitamin D up during the winter months.  Elizabeth ended with some thoughts about taking vitamin C to help with not catching a cold during the winter. You will find a lot of information about vitamins on the following pages of the NHS website - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/ To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email info@elizabethroddick.com or for more information visit - https://elizabethroddick.com Image: Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her white pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling. Warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

Siloton, a Bristol-based health technology startup, has secured £860,000 to progress the commercial rollout of its groundbreaking eye imaging chip technology, which could help address the UK’s most common cause of sight loss. Siloton’s technology aims to make the diagnosis and monitoring of a range of treatable retinal diseases more affordable and accessible, by compressing a tabletop-worth of heavy, expensive, and fragile components onto a single chip smaller than a £1 coin. The company says the technology could save the NHS over £1 billion annually and allow patients to monitor their condition at home, rather than having to regularly attend hospitals. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Siloton's Chief Executive Dr Alasdair Price to find out more about this ground breaking eye imaging chip technology, what form it might take and when patients will be able to start monitoring their eye conditions from home rather than having to go for regular eye Hospital Clinic Appointments.  To find out more about Siloton and their ground breaking eye image chip technology do visit their website -  https://www.siloton.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.

Time to talk music as our David Hogg chats to with Tegan Skyrme about all things music, TikTok, and challenging stereotypes. You can find Tegan on TikTok by searching for: tegan_blind_star Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. 

Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Raphael Tactile Images - Audio Described Guide Victoria and Albert Museum, London English Touring Opera, The Snowmaiden - Saturday 26 October, 7.30pm, Buxton Opera House The Elmer Adventure - Sunday 3 November, 11am, touch tour 9.45am, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two - Saturday 9 November, Part One  2pm, Part Two 7pm, touch tour 11.30am, Palace Theatre, London Northern Ballet - A Christmas Carol - Saturday 9 November, 2pm, touch tour 11.45am, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the regular What’s On email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

After a bit of a break over the summer we have started up again our regular check ins with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick and as we move from autumn into winter this week we are talking all about the importance of getting your flu and Covid vaccinations if you are eligible. Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey firstly about who is eligible for the flu vaccinations, to then talking about the Covid vaccinations, where people are being asked to go and get their vaccinations this year and why the flue vaccination is different each year.   With Elizabeth ending by giving some advice on how to avoid getting flu and answering that question we all might have about whether it is safe to get both your flu and Covid vaccinations at the same time. There is more information about the flu and Covid vaccinations on the following pages of the NHS website - https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/09/nhs-booking-opens-for-life-saving-flu-and-covid-19-vaccinations/  To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email info@elizabethroddick.com or for more information visit - https://elizabethroddick.com Image:  Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her white pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling. Warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

On Guide Dog Blogs this week we meet Biggy, called that for a reason according to Rachel, his mum. She tells us about some of his funny habits, and it’s certainly an upbeat listen. (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)