RNIB Connect RNIB Connect Radio

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits 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 talks about the forthcoming General Election, the Nation's Eye Health research and D-Day. 

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  Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB 

As we approach the 2024 UK General Election, July 4th, there are some important deadlines that you need to know about, if you want to vote.

There are also some important things that any blind or partially sighted voters should be aware of.

RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Tom Skelton, from RNIB, to find out more.

If you'd like any advice on sight loss or have questions about voting, go to www.rnib.org.uk

You can also call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon device to call RNIB's Helpline.

#RNIBConnect

Image shows RNIB logo. A white square with RNIB written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line.

Audio Description makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts venues accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people. 

AD is a narration describing what is physically happening, say on stage, TV or the big screen. 

It can also describe works of art, places of interest or exhibits. 

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some of the many Audio Described shows and performances around the UK. 

If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk 

#RNIBConnect 
Image Shows Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description, Sitting in Front of a Microphone

This week it’s all about the important contribution that volunteers can make, and celebrating all their great work, and showing the benefits that volunteering can provide to people. Hubert has been speaking to the host of Sunset Melodies Gary Moritz about his volunteering journey.

Learn more about volunteering on the RNIB website - Volunteer to support blind and partially sighted people | RNIB | RNIB

Image shows Gary smiling as he shows off his vintage Bush Bakelite radio. Gary has slim-rimmed glasses and short grey hair. He's wearing a grey hoodie and the radio is a deep chestnut colour with a golden speaker mesh at the front and a black display on top with text in contrasting bright green.

Are you looking for a sizzling summer romance to listen to this summer? Well just landed in the RNIB Talking Books Library is ‘Hits Different’ by social media influencer, proud cochlear implant wearer and global ambassador for DeafKidz International, pre-loved brand ambassador for eBay, and brand ambassador for Ann Summers, Loreal Paris, Essie and Sky, Tasha Ghouri, who was also the first deaf contestant on Love Island too.  

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Tasha when she came into the RNIB Talking Books studios to record an exclusive introduction to 'Hits Different' to find out more about her debut sizzling summer romance and to find out what it was like for her taking part in Love Island and whether any of her experiences on Love Island made it into Hits Different.

About ‘Hits Different’

Based on Tasha’s own experiences as a deaf dancer ‘Hits Different’ is a sizzling romance with an empowering message of self-love, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Talia Hibbert.

Cassie needs a change. She's in a job she hates, dating a guy who couldn't care less about her, and secretly dreaming of making her dance ambitions a reality. But that's all they are, dreams. Because no way could she actually do it . . . right?
But then an opportunity to dance on tour with a global superstar presents itself and Cassie decides to give it a shot. Jetting off for a hot summer in Ibiza, her dreams seem closer than ever, and so does real love. Levi, the guy she keeps bumping into, sees and uplifts her in a way no one else ever has. If only Cassie could believe in herself like he does, she might find that life hits different when you learn to love yourself first . . . 

To find out more about Tasha, why not join her 1.5 million followers on Instagram @tashaghouri

'Hits Different' by Tasha Ghouri and Lizzie Huxley-Jones published on 6th June 2024 by Bonnier Books is now available to listen to from the RNIB Talking Books Library - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/reading-and-books/talking-books/ 


(Image shows Tasha, Toby and Toby's guide dog Willow with the Grimaldi building in the background)

Today 6 June 2024, as a nation we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, the most decisive turning point in the Second World War.

Blind Veterans UK who help to support vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss is honouring their D-Day heroes through the D-Day 80: In Their Own Words section of their website, telling their D-Day stories along with an online photography exhibition featuring portraits of 16 veterans who served in Normandy who receive support from Blind Veterans UK.

Mark Wheeler from Blind Veterans UK explains more to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about the D-Day 80: In Their Own Words campaign and section of their website, why the D-Day landings were so decisive in starting the end of World War II plus a summary of some of those stories that feature on their website along with an outline of a couple of the portraits too and what Blind Veterans UK would like people to come away with from visiting the D-Day 80: In Their Own Words section of their website.

To find out more about Blind Veterans UK, read some or all of the D-Day 80: In Their Own Words stories plus view and hear descriptions of the amazing 16 portraits do visit Blind Veterans UK website - https://www.blindveterans.org.uk


(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)