For RNIB Connect Radio's 20th Anniversary we had a very special guest editor on one of our shows. The wonderful sight loss ambassador and Love Island runner-up, Ron Hall joined Allan Russell on the Daily Connect on Wednesday 20th of September. He began by talking to Allan about life after the show, what he hopes the future has in store for him, and what it was like breaking the awkwardness around his sight loss whilst in the Love Island Villa. You can listen to RNIB Connect Radio on Freeview Channel 730, ask your Smart speaker to play RNIB Connect Radio, get us online at www.rnib.org.uk/connect-radio or via radio apps. Image shows Ron. He's wearing a graphic white t-shirt and has short dark hair with a side fade and a charming smile. He has 2-coloured eyes, one blue and one green. 

As we celebrate 20 years of RNIB Connect Radio, our Happy Hour show is bringing you 20+ Tips for Wellbeing throughout the month of September. And sharing her top tips for what we can get up to in our gardens this autumn, is keen gardener Fi.  You can listen to RNIB Connect Radio on Freeview Channel 730, ask your Smart speaker to play RNIB Connect Radio, get us online at www.rnib.org.uk/connect-radio or via radio apps. Image Show RNIB Connect Radio Anniversary logo. On a green background written in 3 rows of white letters: 'RNIB, Connect Radio, 20th Anniversary.' Connect Radio is underlined by a bold white line. 

As we celebrate 20 years of RNIB Connect Radio, our Happy Hour show is bringing you 20+ Tips for Wellbeing throughout the month of September. Today, learn about mindfulness and how to practice it in your daily life with Amanda Hawkins, RNIB's Head of Mental Health and Counselling Services. You can listen to RNIB Connect Radio on Freeview Channel 730, ask your Smart speaker to play RNIB Connect Radio, get us online at www.rnib.org.uk/connect-radio or via radio apps. Image Show RNIB Connect Radio Anniversary logo. On a green background written in 3 rows of white letters: 'RNIB, Connect Radio, 20th Anniversary.' Connect Radio is underlined by a bold white line. 

If you’re looking for an accessible way to get into playing video games, then the new Mortal Kombat game may be a good place to start. Tech Talk’s Callum Stoneman caught up with one of the game’s team of accessibility consultants to hear about some of the new ways blind and partially sighted people can enjoy the action.

Clare Aldworth, RNIB Customer Voice Insight Officer shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Co-Design a Technology Event with RNIB Northern Ireland RNIB Northern Ireland is planning a technology themed event in February 2024. The aim of this event is to showcase different technology solutions that can give people with sight loss more independence and reduce isolation.  The Northern Ireland team are putting together a working group to ensure that the event is truly customer-led and that it’s as enjoyable and accessible as it can be. They’re looking for people who can volunteer for a 6 month period between October and March. Naturally as this event is taking place in Northern Ireland, it could be a great opportunity for anyone who hails from my part of the world. But anyone with an interest in event planning is welcome to apply.  To be part of this project, please contact Rosie Edge: [email protected] with your name, email address and details of what attracted you to this opportunity. Get involved in our latest round of focus groups We run focus groups throughout the year here at RNIB. The aim of these focus groups is to shine a light on the issues that really matter to blind and partially sighted people. The insights that we uncover in these groups will shape the work of RNIB. Each season, we’ll have a different theme. This Autumn, our theme has been technology.  We run most of the groups online, but for people based in and around Manchester, there is a face-to-face group which will be running on Tuesday 10 October in the St Thomas Centre at Ardwick Green North. This focus group is all about your experiences of progressive technology, including AI, wearables and advanced apps. We’ll also be talking about what the future of technology has in store for blind and partially sighted people. We’re looking for participants who are confident in the use of technology. The RNIB is also looking for participants for next season’s round of online focus groups, and the theme is going to be sight loss and your emotional wellbeing. And you must be comfortable talking about your mental health and the effect that sight loss has had on you. We’ll also be talking about any support you may have received along the way, as well as any solutions you’ve found to help you take care of yourself.  If you’d like to sign up or just find out more info, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 and ask to sign up to the Voice of the Customer Focus Groups. You can also email [email protected].  To find out more about these Connect Voices opportunities and how you can get involved with RNIB Connect Voices do visit- https://www.rnib.org.uk/connect-community/connect-voices-network/connect-voices-current-opportunities Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo