RNIB Connect

Summer is in full swing in this months Almanac, Amelia is here to share how July got it’s name and some of the birds you can listen out for this month.Learn more on the RSPB website - The year in nature: JulyImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black 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 find out how both bespoke audio description and sound scapes can create a multi-sensory way into works of art for blind and partially sighted people as RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey chats with Glenn Harvey, Sound Designer who is also the Founder and creator of the ‘This Sound is Purple’ exhibition that was on at the SQFT Space Gallery in Marylebone, London.Glenn explains to Toby about how the idea for the exhibition came about blending soundscapes and audio description together to bring works of art to life for blind and partially sighted people. The role many visually impaired people played with helping Glenn with the set up of the exhibition as well as reflecting on the comments and feedback he received from visually impaired visitors to the exhibition. Glenn also shares his thoughts on how the technique of using both soundscapes and audio description could work in other galleries and museums to make their collections more accessible to blind and partially sighted people. The interview included part of the descriptive sound scape for ‘Last I heard’ and ‘Dawn Chorus’ by Bianca Raffaella. For more about ‘This Sound is Purple’ do visit - https://thissoundispurple.com(Image 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)

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon talks about networking and a nod to some accessibility work in Northern Ireland.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

Join Jonathan as an amazing feat of engineering takes his train up into the swiss alps.Listen to Travelogues every Wednesday on The Lunch Break from 12 noon to 1 pm.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 Monday 29 June 2026 (and on Sunday 5 July at 1pm) Ken Reid will be marking the 100th episode of The Mix Tape show here on RNIB Connect Radio. Our Toby Davey recently caught up with Ken to find out what the show is all about, some of the themes that have featured on the show so far, what it has been like for Ken presenting the show and working with Barry Snell on putting the show together each week and maybe a hint of the theme for the 100th episode of the Mix Tape.You can catch the Mix Tape show here on RNIB Connect Radio Mondays at 8pm and on Sundays at 1pm or catch the latest episode online - https://www.rnib.org.uk/connect-radio/rnib-connect-radio-shows/mix-tape/ Image shows Ken inside the radio studio smiling for a photo. He has big studio headphones on his head and an even bigger smile on his face. He's wearing a light green button down shirt.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of RNIB Northern Ireland’s Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on.This month’s topics include work on accessible voting and the charity Manifesto for next year’s elections and a transport hub accessibility launch.If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk#RNIBConnectImage 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.

Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon began by reflecting on the increase in the availability of audio description for many of the 2026 Football World Cup games on television for blind and partially sighted fans. Then to the reception on Wednesday 17 June at the House of Commons hosted by Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's’ Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis for people affected by sight loss. Plus a couple of other important events at the Houses of Parliament for the RNIB this week too.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

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 another audio described theatre review.This time we have a bold, uplifting celebration of ambition, transformation and self-discovery as the current tour of ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes to Bollywood returns - bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour.Ordinary suburban Frankie never dreamed of stardom until a chance encounter sweeps her from gritty, grey Huddersfield to the glittering fever-dream world of Bollywood.As she climbs the shimmering staircase of fame, Frankie must decide what she is willing to risk for fortune, family and belonging.With handsome heroes, delicious villains and billowing saris, this is a funny and fearless tale of being British in Bollywood.Featuring explosive choreography, lavish costumes and pulsing songs, this feel-good musical bursts with ambition and heart - a joyful celebration of love, courage, self-discovery and pure theatrical sparkle. For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre do visit - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/(Image 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)

On Wednesday 17 June 2026 in the Thames Pavilion at the House of Commons Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea hosted an event that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's’ Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis.RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with Professor Mhairi Thurston who is visually impaired and helped with the set up of the training package.(Image 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)

On Wednesday 17 June 2026 in the Thames Pavilion at the House of Commons Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea hosted an event that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's’ Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis.RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there for the launch event and caught up with Professor Tariq Aslam who was very much involved in the development of the training package. (Image 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)

Join Jonathan as he takes a £2 flight to Milan and starts a mountainous train journey into Italy.Listen to Travelogues every Wednesday on The Lunch Break from 12 noon to 1 pm.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.

This time for our regular browse through the RNIB online shop with Charlee Jarvis, RNIB Shop’s Buying Administrator W\we are looking at the Tonies range of products that have just been added to the shop including the Toniebox 2 audio player and Tonies audio figurines.Designed for ages 1-9+. Through the Toniebox 2 children can play their favourite stories and songs by placing a tactile, magnetic Tonie character on top of the box. Tap the box to skip a song or chapter, tilt it to fast-forward or rewind, and squeeze the ears of the box to adjust the volume. No screens, no ads – just safe, accessible, independent reading.For more about the Toniebox 2 Player, the Tonies range of products and many others that you will find in the RNIB online shop do visit - https://shop.rnib.org.uk/connect(Image 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)