RNIB Connect

BT are moving all analogue home phone services to their One Digital Voice system and they’re looking for blind and partially sighted people to help make the switch as smooth and accessible as possible. If you take part , you’ll also receive a £50 Amazon voucher as a thank you. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Vicky Hicks, Head of Engagement, for BT’s Digital Voice Programme to find out more. If you, or someone you know, would like to get involved, email [email protected] #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Logo

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. For the first catch up of 2025 Matt began by reflecting on all the great coverage in both national and local press of how the RNIB and blind and partially sighted people had been celebrating World Braille Day on 4 January 2025, marking the day that Louis Braille was born, plus all the on-going Braille 200 events as we all mark 200 years since Louis Braille invented his six-dot tactile reading and writing system. Then to the visit from Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC to our London office the Grimaldi Building on Wednesday 8 January 2025 with Matt talking about how the visit had gone which also included a tour of the Grimaldi Building, a meeting with Matt and other senior RNIB staff along with Matt mentioning a project that the BBC and the RNIB are working together on which we will all hear more about in the summer. 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

UK sight loss charity RNIB, have picked up a major award for the work of their pre employment team. The accolade recognises the high quality work which goes into helping more blind and partially sighted people into the workplace. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to some of the team to learn more about their vital, and award winning, work. If your blind or partially sighted and would like more information about getting into employment, call 03031239999 You can also check out the website, www.rnib.org.uk/employment #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Logo 

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 first of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025. Vidar was reviewing mark Gatiss’ retelling of Dickens’ classic winter tale with ‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story’ at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith for his first review of 2025. About A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Birmingham Rep presents a Nottingham Playhouse Production in association with Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions with A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story. It’s a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley. Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn’t too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he’ll have to face three more eerie encounters. Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter the supernatural Victorian world of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story. Mark Gatiss‘ acclaimed retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story stars Matthew Cottle as Scrooge. “In the hands of Gatiss, Dickens’ festive tale banishes all thoughts of ‘bah, humbug’.” - Evening Standard For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre along with details of audio described performances of their productions do visit - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/ (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)