Rnib Conversations

Time to connect with the natural world around us.  On this month’s Sensory Reflections, Andy gives us an idea of what birdsong to listen out for as well as some crafty homework to help out our friendly neighbourhood hedgehogs. 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 more about building hedgehog cafes here: Feed hedgehogs in a DIY hedgehog café | The RSPB 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 Chiffchaff Song' via Quick Sounds (Common Chiffchaff Song Sound Effect MP3 Download Free - Quick Sounds), 'Song Thrush Singing' by field recording geek (song thrush singing.wav (soundcamp.org)

Last year Dave Heeley, OBE cycled 800 miles from Colditz castle to West Bromwich to raise money for charity, but since October he has been recovering from a knee operation. RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell caught up with the charity fundraiser, to talk about his ongoing recovery, plans for the future and life with new guide dog Peter. {Image = Close up photo of Dave wearing a red, white & blue bandana}

The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival will take place from 3rd till 5th of March 2023 and showcase the best new adventure, travel and extreme sports films from around the world. This year the festival is also making a push to increase inclusivity by making more of their films available with audio description and captions.  Our Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Danielle Sellwood, who is the project lead and her daughter Poppy Levison, who was a consultant on the project. Find out more here: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival 2023 (shaff.co.uk) Image shows the festival logo. Atop a white background 'ShA' is written in capital letters with 'FF.' written below.

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 weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Peaky Blinders: the redemption of Thomas Shelby, Wednesday 22 February, 7.30pm,  Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton Sound of the Underground, Saturday 25 February, 2.30pm, touch tour 1pm, Royal court Theatre, London, The Lehman Trilogy, Monday 27 February, 7pm, Gillian Lynne Theatre, Drury Lane, London, Titus Andronicus, Saturday 4 March, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, sam Wanamaker Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London, Fisherman’s Friends, Wednesday 8 march, 7.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton,  To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newslet

We seem to be hearing more in the news about Covid and thankfully not as severe as in the height of the pandemic. For this week’s check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow Elizabeth outlines to our Toby Davey about recent research that suggests that changing our lifestyle could help protect us against covid.  Elizabeth went on to explain some of the lifestyle changes we could all make to help protect us against Covid which might include being a bit more active and taking up some form of exercise too.  Finally Elizabeth updated Toby on the current situation around some of the shortages of medicines in the Pharmacy.  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 pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling. Warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

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 weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: The Ocean at the End of The Lane - Wednesday 8 February 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, curve Theatre, Leicester The Mirror Crack'd - Thursday 9 February, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm,Wycombe  Swan Theatre, High Wycombe The King and I - Saturday 11 February, 2.30pm, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Choir of Man - Friday 17 February, 3.30pm, Arts Theatre, London Birmingham Royal Ballet: Swan Lake - Saturday 18 February, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm, Birmingham Hippodrome To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https:/

Time to connect with the natural world around us. On the first of his Sensory Reflections for this year, Andy tells us what we should keep an ear out for in nature including some robin song, and fox calls. 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: 'Robin Singing' BY SPANAC, 'Fox Calls' BY ALEXANDER.

Jon Gingerich began losing his sight while writing his debut novel The Appetite Factory. He shares his story with David Hogg.

The people who volunteer for RNIB are a talented group. Hywel Davies catches up with one volunteer from South Wales who's heading for your television screen this weekend. Michael McIntyre's Big Show is on BBC1 at 6:50, Saturday the 14th of January. If you miss the episode you can catch up on the BBC iPlayer.

As part of the celebrations for World Braille Day 2023 RNIB's Dave Williams chaired a discussion between Mary Fernandes from Cisco Systems, Christopher Patnoe from Google and Robin Spinks from RNIB. The panel discuss the various uses of braille and the future of the format.

Would you like to get away for some rest and relaxation? Maybe an action-packed adventure holiday is more your style. Hywel Davies has been speaking to one travel company that's making sure everything they do is accessible. For more information about Seable Holidays, visit www.seable.co.uk 

With Christmas just around the corner, Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick gives us advice on pharmacy opening times, picking up repeat precriptions and also an update on Strep A and the current shortage of antibiotics . She is talking to RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell. To get in touch with Elizabeth Roddick and for more help and advice you can either email  Elizabeth.r@newlifepharmacy.co.uk, search for ‘Call the Pharmacy’ on Facebook or click on to  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.

Dr Elizabeth Farmer suffered from Sudden Traumatic Blindness brought on by Giant Cell Arteritis. She is now raising awareness for GCA. She shares her story with David Hogg.

Now for a bit of a festive 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 weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Sleeping Beauty - Sunday 11 December, 1pm, touch tour 11.30am, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Aladdin - Wednesday 14 December, 6pm, touch tour 4.30pm, Aylesbury Waterside Mama Mia! - Thursday 15 December, 2.30pm, New Theatre Oxford A Christmas Carol - Friday 9 December, 7pm, Old Vic, London, A Christmas Carol - Thursday 15 December, 2.30pm, Bridge Theatre, London, A Christmas Carol - Saturday 17 December, 11.30am, Rose Theatre, Kingston,  A Christmas Carol - Tuesday 20 December, 7pm, touch tour 5.30pm,  Hull Truck Theatre Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol - Thursday 22 December 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm, Queen Elizabeth Hall,

For our next regular check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey asked Elizabeth about some of the causes and possible treatments for dizziness or vertigo that people do suffer from or experience from time to time. Elizabeth began by telling Toby about some of the main common forms of dizziness and how some medications do have dizziness as one of their potential side affects.   Then Elizabeth talked about some of the medications that can help with dizziness  and how the symptoms can also be treated by physical means. 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 pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling. Warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

VocalEyes, in partnership with Stagetext, Autism in Museums and the Centre for Accessible Environments, recently publish the Heritage Access report 2022 which highlights the importance of online access information for the UK museum and heritage sector, and tracks the changes in the state of access over the past four years since the publication of the 2018 report. The report is structured to mirror the visitor journey, covering aspects from pre-visit research such as finding and getting to a venue (such as directions, parking and step-free and level access), aids and facilities at the venue (such as toilets, lifts, Large Print guides, induction loops) and downloadable resources that can be used at the venue (such as sensory maps and visual stories). The report also breaks down the different media types in which web content is presented, and gives clear, non-technical guidance on how to ensure that text, links, images, video, audio, and downloadable documents are all accessible. It also covers tips for inclus

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 weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Art Workshops at the British Library - Thursday 10 November, to 1 December 11am Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker - Saturday 12 November, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm, New Victoria Theatre, Woking Demon Dentist - Saturday 12 November, 2.30pm, Hull new Theatre,  Marvellous, Thursday 17 November, 7.30pm, At Soho Place, London Cinderella - Sunday 20 November, 3pm, touch tour 2.10pm, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester   Layers of Vision - Monday 21 November to Friday 16 December, Bush House, London To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newsletter do vis

Have you heard of CBeebies' brand new series Dog Squad? Following the daily adventures of five superhero assistance dogs, Kika, Diesel, Meagaidh, Sylvie and Tinks, the series is here to help us better understand the wonderful impact these animals have on the lives of their families. The exciting show hits our TV screens today at 4 PM and to find out a bit more we spoke with Jayne Austin, producer at Hello Halo, the team behind the series. Catch the first episode of Dog Squad on CBeebies Monday 7th of November at 4 PM or later through the BBC iPlayer.  Image shows the Dog Squad logo. A drawing of the 5 superhero dogs with 'DOG SQUAD' written across an orange dog bone under the pups.  From left to right: Meagaidh the Border Collie, Kika the Golden Labrador, Newfoundland Sylvie, Cocker Spaniel Diesel, and finally Tinks the tiny Lhasa Apso.

CBeebies’ brand-new series Dog Squad is here to bring a team of true superheroes to our home screens! Following the lives of five superstar assistance dogs Kika, Diesel, Meagaidh, Sylvie and Tinks, the series will follow their adventures as they help their owners on important daily missions. The very first adventure will feature the lovely guide dog Kika and her owner, author and disability activist Dr Amit Patel. RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Dr Patel about his experience and Kika's newfound fame.  Catch the first episode of Dog Squad on CBeebies Monday 7th of November at 4 PM or later through the BBC iPlayer.  Image shows the Dr Amit Patel sitting on a bench and smiling brightly. Kika stands next to him with a doggy grin as Amit gives her a much-deserved chin scratch. 

As it is ‘Ask the Pharmacist Week’ this week (31 October to 7 November 2022), we thought it would be a good time to ask our resident Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow to give us the lowdown on what’s happening in the community pharmacy world. Elizabeth began by telling RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about ‘Ask the Pharmacist Week’ which has the theme ‘Now at Your Local Pharmacy,' highlighting the services you can find at your local Pharmacy. Elizabeth also talked about the training that Pharmacist go through and the training for other staff at the Pharmacy before highlighting many of the services that are available from your local community Pharmacy. Elizabeth ended by reflecting on how the Covid pandemic had made many changes  to your local Pharmacy service. For many people during all the Covid lockdowns the Pharmacy became their main health care service for support and advice. To get in touch with Elizabeth Roddick email Elizabeth.r@newlifehealthcare.co.uk or for more infor