Rnib Conversations

Barry Snell caught up with charity fundraiser 'Blind' Dave Heeley, OBE who had just completed the Hadrian's Wall challenge, a 5 day trek from Newcastle to Cumbria to raise money for the Albion Foundation A veteran of many challenges around the World, this latest one certainly had it's challenges for Dave and his team. To learn more about Dave and his many achievements click here 

Time to connect with the natural world around us with nature guide Andy Shipley. This month,  as RNIB Connect Radio celebrates 20 years, Andy has some special things to listen out for in nature this month, including the annoying wasp, charm of goldfinches and some common kestrels. Find the full Sensory Reflections Playlist here: Audioboom / Sensory Reflections With Andy Shipley on RNIB Connect Radio For more about Andy's work and to get in touch with him visit: Nature Connection And Sensory Immersion | Natural Inclusion (natural-inclusion.org) Image shows Andy standing outside in front of a tree. He's holding his white cane and is dressed for outdoor adventure in a grey hoodie, a cap, and a windproof jacket. Sound credits: 'EURASIAN JAY HARSH CALLS SOUND' via Quick Sounds, 'A Flock of Goldfinches' by DMNature, 'Common kestrel - sound effect' by Anthony Dietrich, 'Wasp' sound effect via deadsounds. 

With many recent news reports around prostate cancer for this week’s regular check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow we are going to be talking about prostate cancer and why it is so important for men over 50 to have regular checks.  Elizabeth began by telling RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about a possible new way of detecting prostate cancer before then explaining to Toby about the connection between the prostate gland and the bladder and why a lot of older men have an enlarged prostate.  Elizabeth ended with some good advice for men who might have prostate cancer and explaining to Toby why it is so important for men over 50 to have regular checks with their doctor. There is more information around Prostate Cancer on the NHS website via the following link - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/ To get in touch with Elizabeth email admin@newlifepharmacy.co.uk  or for more information visit https://newlifepharmacy.co.uk. Image: Picture showing Elizabeth stan

With many recent news reports around prostate cancer for this week’s regular check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow we are going to be talking about prostate cancer and why it is so important for men over 50 to have regular checks.  Elizabeth began by telling RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about a possible new way of detecting prostate cancer before then explaining to Toby about the connection between the prostate gland and the bladder and why a lot of older men have an enlarged prostate.  Elizabeth ended with some good advice for men who might have prostate cancer and explaining to Toby why it is so important for men over 50 to have regular checks with their doctor. There is more information around Prostate Cancer on the NHS website via the following link - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/ To get in touch with Elizabeth email admin@newlifepharmacy.co.uk  or for more information visit https://newlifepharmacy.co.uk. Image: Picture showing Elizabeth stan

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: Heathers, The Musical - Thursday 17 August, 2.15pm, touch tour 12.45pm, Curve Theatre, Leicester Edinburgh Art Festival, Keg de Souza’s Shipping Roots - Wednesday 23 August, 10am, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh Paper making Workshop - Wednesday 30 august, 11am, British Library, London The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Friday 1 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, King’s Theatre, Glasgow Macbeth - Saturday 2 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, Shakespeare’s Globe, 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 Voc

For this week’s regular check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow we are talking about something we may all not want to mention, urine infections along with Elizabeth’s thoughts and reaction to those misleading TikTok videos going around claiming that rubbing caster oil around or into your eyes could help to cure eye issues and some eye conditions which is totally untrue as Doctors have been saying. Elizabeth began by explaining to our Toby Davey about how common urine infections are, whether urine infections are more common in women, the symptoms we should be looking out for that might prompt medical advice, plus treatments for urine infections and what might be good to help prevent urine infections too. Elizabeth ended by giving her reaction to those untrue and misleading TikTok videos going around claiming that rubbing caster oil into your eyes could help to cure some eye issues and even some eye conditions.  There is more information about urine infections on the NHS

Time to connect with the natural world around with Andy Shipley. This month, Andy listen out for a bird you can commonly hear at this time of year, plus we get low to the ground as we explore the grasslands and a sensory activity. Find the full Sensory Reflections Playlist here: Audioboom / Sensory Reflections With Andy Shipley on RNIB Connect Radio For more about Andy's work and to get in touch with him visit: Nature Connection And Sensory Immersion | Natural Inclusion (natural-inclusion.org) Image shows Andy standing outside in front of a tree. He's holding his white cane and is dressed for outdoor adventure in a grey hoodie, a cap, and a windproof jacket. Sound credits: 'HOUSE MARTIN CALLS SOUND' via Quick Sounds, 'Grasshopper' via pixabay, 'Green Woodpecker' via british-birdsongs.

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: Midsummer Mechanicals - Wednesday 9 August, 1pm, touch tour 11.30am, The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, London Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - The Musical, Wednesday 9 August, 7pm, Sunderland Empire Cuckoo - Saturday 12 August, 2.30pm, touch tour 1pm, Royal Court Theatre, London  Blood Brothers- Thursday 17 August, 2.30pm, Chelmsford Theatre Barnsley Museums Film Screenings - Saturday 26 August, from 10.30am     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

Now, it's time for another sight loss story from an RNIB Customer as Hywel Davies chats to Nicky Williams.

With Edinburgh Festival Fringe taking place from Friday 4th till Monday 28th of August, we thought let’s find out what’s accessibility like at the festival this year? Our Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Deputy Chief Executive of the Fringe, Lyndsey Jackson. Find out more about accessibility at the festival here: Accessibility | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com) Image shows the fringe logo. Atop a white background a coral pink circle with 'fringe' written in white in the middle and some slight fading of colour around the edges of the circle.

With recent reports about the rise in the number of people getting tick bites, for this week’s check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow our Toby Davey began by asking Elizabeth how serious this rise in Tick bites might be and should we be concerned at all.  Elizabeth then explained to Toby how obvious it might be knowing when you have been bitten, how to remove a tick properly and when to seek medical help. Elizabeth ended by giving her thoughts on the controversy over the recommendation that all masks are withdrawn from healthcare  and care settings. If you have any concerns around Tick bites you can find some further useful information on the following pages of the NHS website - https://www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/tick-bite To get in touch with Elizabeth email admin@newlifepharmacy.co.uk  or for more information visit https://newlifepharmacy.co.uk. Image: Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her

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: Patriots - Saturday 22 July, 2.30pm, Noel Coward Theatre, London  Brokeback Mountain - Saturday 29 July , 2.30pm, @Soho Place, London Bleak Expectations - Wednesday 2 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Criterion Theatre, London  Meet the Portraits: Audio Described Guide - until Monday 30 January 2024, National Portrait Gallery, London My First Ballet: Swan Lake - Audio Described Film, from Friday 7 July, from ballet.org.uk 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 th

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: Spirit of Invention - Saturday 8 July, 11.30am, The National Archives, Kew, Richmond Luxury and Power - British Museum, Wednesday 12 July, 6pm, British Museum, London Robin Hood - The Legend, Re-Written, Saturday 15 July, 2.15pm, Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, London Trigger: Teabreak and Rebecca Louise Law: The Place Between - Friday 21 July, 11.30am, Milton Keynes International Festival The Crucible - Saturday 22 July, 2pm, Gielgud 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://voca

As we seem to be experiencing a bit of a heat wave at the moment, for this week’s check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow our Toby Davey asks Elizabeth what the dangers might be for us all of the heat and hot weather. Elizabeth began by explaining to Toby some of the dangers around the heat and hot weather, outlining that some people might be more vulnerable than others. Then Elizabeth talked about some of the signs of dehydration that we should all look out for and then her top tips on how to cope with the warm weather too. To get in touch with Elizabeth email admin@newlifepharmacy.co.uk  or for more information visit https://newlifepharmacy.co.uk. 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.

Following Hubert’s interview with Antony Merlyn about the Aira trials at Stevenage station, he spoke afterwards to one of the volunteer testers about their experience using the app.  Image shows RNIB logo. Upon a green background, 3 rows of text. From top to bottom: RNIB, Connect Radio, 20th Anniversary. A bold white line underlines the words Connect Radio.

Some rail companies have been testing the Aira assistance app at some of their stations.  Our Hubert has taken a trip to Stevenage, where he spoke to one of the rail company representatives about the ongoing trials and future of accessible train travel. Image shows RNIB logo. Upon a green background, 3 rows of text. From top to bottom: RNIB, Connect Radio, 20th Anniversary. A bold white line underlines the words Connect Radio.

If you are thinking about jetting off for your summer holidays or just flying off within the UK for a weekend break, how accessible might air travel be for blind and partially sighted people and what about flying off with your Guide Dog or Assistance Dog too.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with John Welsman, Customer Experience Lead at Guide Dogs to talk about some of the access issues around air travel that have been reported to Guide Dogs plus all about their recent visual awareness training for Virgin Atlantic cabin and airline staff. If you would like to know more about flying with your Guide Dog or Assistance Dog there is a lot of information on the following Guide Dogs website pages - https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/information-and-advice/travelling-with-your-assistance-dog/ To find out more about the visual awareness training that Guide Dogs gave to Virgin Atlantic cabin and airline staff you can find out more on the following pages of the Guide Dogs website too - https://ww

Time to connect with the natural world around us with nature guide Andy Shipley. In this episode we will be turning our ears to the sky and tuning into some of our aerial gymnasts. Plus, a sensory activity and some ways you can help wildlife at this time of year. Find the full Sensory Reflections Playlist here: Audioboom / Sensory Reflections With Andy Shipley on RNIB Connect Radio For more about Andy's work and to get in touch with him visit: Nature Connection And Sensory Immersion | Natural Inclusion (natural-inclusion.org) Find out how to build a wildlife pond: How to make a wildlife pond (rspb.org.uk) Image shows Andy standing outside in front of a tree. He's holding his white cane and is dressed for outdoor adventure in a grey hoodie, a cap, and a windproof jacket. Sound credits: 'COMMON SWIFT CALLS SOUND' via Quick Sounds, 'BUZZARD SOUND' via Quick Sounds, 'Swallows' via BigSoundBank. 

Barry Snell chats to dancer and choreographer Holly Thomas, to learn about her exciting dance project Hal Light, which explores the often unchartered territory of dance and visual impairment. To learn more about the Half Light project here hollythomasdance.co.uk/projects/half-light/ Image: Close up Picture of Holly standing up with her arms bent at the elbows pointing upwards. She is wearing a striped green top and her long brown hair is tied back in a pony-tail.   

With the temperature rising and much more hours of sunshine now that we seem to be in summer time for this week’s check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davy asks Elizabeth whether the sun is good or bad for us. Elizabeth also talks about the potential benefits of vitamin D from the sun and risks of skin cancer from being out too long in the sun. Elizabeth ends by giving her advice to us all about being careful when we are out and about in the sun and wanting to top up our tans this summer. You can find out more about sunscreen and sun safety on the following pages of the NHS website -  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/#:~:text=Sun%20safety%20tips,shade%20between%2011am%20and%203pm To get in touch with Elizabeth Roddick email Elizabeth.r@newlifehealthcare.co.uk or for more information visit https://newlifepharmacy.co.uk. Image:  Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her white pha