RNIB Connect RNIB Connect Radio

A new survey in Wales is aiming to improve the experience of blind and partially sighted people who live in privately rented or social housing. Hywel Davies has been finding out more. 

Learn more about the work of Tai Pawb here - Home - Tai Pawb

Each week we sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Matt started by talking about the number of people running the London marathon on Sunday 21 April 2024 in aid of the RNIB, the achievements of Mark Rogerson who has completed the six World Marathon Majors in aid of RNIB plus a mention of how Yahya Pandor completed the Manchester marathon without a guide runner.  

Matt also talked about the recent Living Streets report on bus stops which revealed that the concerns of blind and partially sighted people are being ignored.

If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk

You can also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline.
#RNIBConnect




Image shows a smiling Matt

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 the reimagining for the stage of Mark Ravenhill’s 2013 radio play’ Ben and Imo’ at the Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon with description by Professional Audio Describers Emily Magdij and Carolyn Smith.

About Ben and Imo:

This is the true story of the passionate partnership between Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst. The 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is fast approaching. To mark the occasion, Benjamin Britten has just nine months to write a new opera about her predecessor Elizabeth I. Into the world of the disheartened composer enters the exuberant and passionate Imogen Holst, daughter of Gustav and an accomplished musician in her own right. Her candid and can-do attitude proves to be the perfect foil for the capricious and often maddening Britten, and what begins as an arrangement of practical support turns into a bond that not only sees Gloriana to its premiere but endures throughout the rest of their lives.

Originally written to mark the centenary of Britten’s birth and performed on BBC Radio 3 in 2013, Mark Ravenhill’s Ben and Imo is a powerful new play, reimagined for 2024 that explores the brilliant yet often turbulent working relationship of two of the 20th Century’s greatest musical minds.

For more about access at the Royal Shakespeare Company including details of audio described performances of their productions do visit the access 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)

New research has shown that a vast number of blind and partially sighted people, in the UK, are missing out on vital benefit payments, that they may be entitled to.

RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Dominic Milne, from RNIB's Legal Rights Service, to find out why this is and how people can get what they're entitled to.

If you would like help from the charity's legal rights team, call 0303 123 9999.

#RNIBConnect
Image Shows RNIB Logo

Blind and partially sighted people in Castle Donnington are dressing to the nines to raise money for their local sight loss charity. 

Tilly Dowler, the partially-sighted co-owner of Wanted Wardrobe, and model Sam Ball, told Amelia about their fashion show this Friday. 

You can learn more about Wanted Wardrobe by following them on Instagram and TikTok, and can visit their store on Vinted by searching 'Wanted Wardrobe'.

Image shows Tilly, a white woman with mid-length blond hair, wearing a snakeskin printed jumpsuit and holding a white symbol cane in her left hand. Her right hand rests on a bright green clothing rail holding different printed clothing items . She stands in the Wanted Wardrobe shop which has hard wood floors, brick outer walls and a bright yellow dividing wall with clothes and accessories hung up.

If you’re looking for new ways to access printed text, then Tech Talk’s Dave Williams has been hearing about some of the latest items available from RNIB’s Products For Life Store.

More information on each of the products discussed can be found here:
Hark Reader - Hark Reader | RNIB
RNIB Communiplayer - RNIB Communiplayer USB Player | RNIB
RNIB Accord - RNIB Accord USB Player | RNIB