What is it like being matched with a new guide dog? Our presenter Toby Davey joins us for Guide Dog blogs on the Lunch Break today. Listen from 12 noon. [Video description: a transcript of text plays over "RNIB Connect Radio" logo]

To mark two years since the launch of the Eye Care Support Pathway, RNIB brought together optometrists, sector leaders and partners at an event in Manchester. RNIB Connect Radio's David Hogg reports 🎧

Hear the latest news from charity RNIB. We caught up with CEO Matt Stringer to talk recent Eye Care Support Pathway event, look ahead to a Parliamentary reception, and finally big focus on employment.

"There are lots of people around that can help." Lee Mercer lost his sight to proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 2018. This World Diabetes Day he spoke with RNIB Connect Radio's Hubert about finding support, community, and assistive tech that helps him.

Help shape the future of RNIB Connect Radio! We’re running a short survey to find out how you listen to our radio station, what you enjoy, and what you would like to hear more of. Our short accessible survey is anonymous and you can take part here: surveymonkey.com/r/LTH7XBD

Celebrating accessibility this #WorldBalletDay! RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Devon and Rob to find out about their collaborative work with The Royal Ballet , which will be streamed as part of today's celebrations.

Congratulations to David Szalay for winning #BookerPrize2025 with his novel Flesh 📖 Hear our conversation with David about his book on Read On: The Audiobook Show this Friday, but for now, a little teaser below. New episodes of Read On with @talking-books.bsky.social out every Friday at 1 pm.

How can Digital Media improve wellbeing and social inclusion of blind and partially sighted people? Amelia spoke to Catalin Brylla, Principal Lecturer in Film and Television, to learn more about their research.

Baring it all in support of charity? "We all felt so amazing afterwards, it was so liberating!" Josephine Boulder came up with the idea for the Blind Naked Calendar to smash stereotypes around disability and also raise funds in support of her favourite charity, Deafblind UK.

"I wanted to make a piece of dance work that played with the idea of how we might make dance or witness dance as audience members, that relied not solely and primarily on the visual but also our other senses." Half Light by Holly Thomas is coming to Bristol's Arnolfini on Friday 14th of November.

Titch the Elf is back! And busy practicing for the annual Elf Karaoke Contest and helping blind and partially sighted little ones get an accessible Letter from Santa🎅 Listen to Allan and Titch's adventure here: bit.ly/TitchTheElf2...

Worried how firework season will impact your pooch? 🐶 RNIB Connect Radio's Hubert chats to Robert from @guidedogsuk.bsky.social to find out how we can best support our dogs and guide dogs during this tricky time of the year.

"That was the first time I'd ever heard about any kind of support that I could get. From my rehabilitation worker, 12 years after my diagnosis." Following her sight loss diagnosis, Bhavini had to put her life on pause. Join RNIB's call for change: https://bit.ly/RNIBOutOfSight

Happy Halloween from Grimm Russell and his guide dog Grimm Jayson 🎃

The beast, the fog of the moor, and the discovery of a body. This Halloween, listen to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles on Talking Books. This gripping tale runs over 7 episodes and you have until Tuesday to listen. Find it here: https://bit.ly/RNIBConnectRadioTalkingBooks

🎁 Do you like starting your Christmas planning early? The RNIB Shop has many items available like tactile gift tags, inclusive Christmas cards, decorations, and even some great accessible gifts. Highlighting some stand out items, it's Hubert, Claire and Charlie.

Spooky Rock and Roll vibes anyone?🦇 Gary Moritz has a special show heading your way tomorrow, don't miss it. We'll know if you did...

Following eye complications, David had to leave a successful job in IT and move back home with his parents. 18 months on, he was still waiting for a vision rehabilitation assessment from his local authority. Sign RNIB’s petition calling for change: bit.ly/RNIBOutOfSight

Time for our Allan Russell to chat biggest stories from the week with RNIB CEO Matt Stringer. This week they cover the launch of Out Of Sight campaign and petition, take a look ahead to some big events in November, and a Christmas nod to the RNIB shop.

"(On bin day) I used to bounce around Glasgow like a municipal pinball." Actor and Comedian Jamie MacDonald sits down with RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell for a new series looking at life as a blind person. Hear their full conversation here: https://bit.ly/JamieMacDonaldPodcast

New research shows 4 in 5 local authorities in England failed to complete vision rehabilitation assessments within the recommended timeframe. Young mum Eloise is just one of many blind and partially sighted people who had to wait on support. Join RNIB's call to action:https://bit.ly/RNIBOutOfSight

Blind and partially sighted people shouldn't have to put their lives on pause following a sight loss diagnosis. With many waiting months and sometimes years for vision rehabilitation, we spoke with RNIB about their petition calling for change. Sign the petition here: https://bit.ly/RNIBOutOfSight

UK sight loss charity RNIB, has launched the first round of its job placements for blind and partially sighted people. Our Allan Russell spoke to Heather Barbara, RNIB Employment Advisor, to find out more.

Would you take on the Hunters from @channel4tv.bsky.social ? Hywel speaks to Ste, the first partially sighted fugitive, about appearing on the show with his friend Chris. https://audioboom.com/posts/8792824-partially-sighted-contestant-takes-part-in-channel-4-s-hunted

Happy Smiles Training have just achieved the @rnib.bsky.social Visibly Better Employer standard! David Hogg speaks to Alex Winstanley from the team to learn about how they've made their workplace more inclusive. https://audioboom.com/posts/8792852-rnib-visibly-better-employer-happy-smiles-training

Time for our weekly update from @rnib.bluesky.social CEO Matt Stringer. He spoke to Allan about the new tech offering from Be My Eyes and Tesco, news from Waymo and getting ready for the festive season. https://audioboom.com/posts/8792760-charity-chief-exec-s-customer-update-18-10-2025

@britishblindsport.org.uk are celebrating 50 years!🎉 Get moving in a range of activities at their 'Festival Of Sport' on Sunday 19th October. Here's Amelia with more... https://audioboom.com/posts/8792443-festival-of-sport-to-celebrate-50-years-of-british-blind-sport

How can you explore new types of art and creating after sight loss? 🎨 Artist Alan Mcintyre tells Amelia about the techniques and mediums he uses in his work... https://audioboom.com/posts/8790990-artist-alan-mcintyre-on-trying-new-methods

AD performances of the critically-acclaimed show ‘The City for Incurable Women’ are coming to Camden. Toby speaks to Helena McBurney to learn more... https://audioboom.com/posts/8791697-the-city-for-incurable-women-returns-to-camden-people-s-theatre-with-ad-at-every-performance

@sqiff.bsky.social is back for their 10th and most accessible festival yet! Amelia spoke to the team about their programme of shorts and feature length films, events and craft fair. https://audioboom.com/posts/8790664-accessible-films-and-events-at-scottish-queer-international-film-festival

The women's and men's blind football sides have faced global competitors in India ⚽ How did they get on? Hywel Davies learns more... https://audioboom.com/posts/8791014-england-blind-football-sides-shine-at-ibsa-tournaments

Are you aged 18 to 35 and looking for a listening ear? @rnibni.bsky.social have a peer support group where you can share your experiences with others. Paulina learns more... https://audioboom.com/posts/8791002-rnib-ni-18-to-35s-peer-support-group

Art activities, pasta masterclasses and chocolate making! @victauk.bsky.social are offering this and more to blind and partially sighted young people this winter. Here's Hywel with more... https://audioboom.com/posts/8789190-upcoming-events-from-children-s-charity-victa

We'd like to introduce you to Jayson!🤗 Our new radio station guide dog, and Allan's companion. Do you have any questions for Allan about Jayson or having a guide dog in our radio studios? Let us know and we'll answer in a little Q&A video.

Big update this week! We caught up with RNIB CEO Matt Stringer to talk about the announcement of RNIB’s new Chief Executive, taking over from Matt in early January 2026, plus more news about RNIB's presence at the Political Party conferences.

How can we embrace the colder seasons and look after our mental health? For our Wintering Roundtable, we brought together four panellists: Mhairi, Dawn, James, and Pete, to share tips for making the cold months feel a bit brighter and discuss how they’ve gotten through darker times in their lives.

"You are not alone, no matter how isolated it feels sometimes." As we mark #WorldMentalHealthDay, young Jam spoke on the Happy Hour about the importance of support. If you have a question about living with sight loss, RNIB Helpline is here for you. Call 0303 123 9999.

This #WorldSightDay we're encouraged to love our eyes. We spoke with Simon from International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (VISION 2020/IAPB), about prioritising eye health and their work towards making eye care accessible and available to everyone.

What is good eye health? To find out how RNIB Northern Ireland is marking World Sight Day today, David Hogg spoke to Joe Kenny.

Hats, visors, lights, sunglasses, and winter❄️ Join us for the Wellbeing and Wintering roundtable discussion this Friday as our guests discuss everything from their top tips for winter survival, to overcoming winter challenges. Listen Friday 10th October from 11:30 am.

🧵We’re delighted to announce that Simon Antrobus will be our new CEO from early 2026. Simon joins us from BBC Children in Need with a wealth of experience leading organisations that build services and drive social change, opening opportunities for individuals and communities.

Psst Some exciting news on the horizon. But what could it be? 🐾 Check back on Monday to find out.

What's on this week's Tech Talk? • TaluCard - accessible payment card • Demonstration of Shokz OpenDots Earbuds • Everyday AI Uses • Listener questions Listen to the podcast below or catch the show live every Tuesday at 1 pm, only on RNIB Connect Radio.

Scottish Lidl self-checkouts have a new voice 🛒 Alan from Oban, is an RNIB Volunteer and following his sight loss threw himself in sound production. Now, added to his list of achievements is becoming the new voice across the stores.

Football playing guide dog? 🤯 Hear Guide Dog Blogs every Monday on The Lunch Break with Hubert Pawelkiewicz and guide dog Cesar 🐶 On air from 12 noon. Do you have your own guide dog story to share? Get in touch! Email [email protected]

⁉️ We love a mystery theme. Join Ken Reid on next week's very personal episode of the Mix Tape. Listen on RNIB Connect Radio this Monday 6th of October at 8 pm. [Video description: a photo of a smiling Ken in the studio with a transcript of text playing over the image]

A payment card that is accessible to blind and partially sighted? RNIB Connect Radio's Hywel Davies hears about the accessibility features of the TaluCard, including biometric pairing, tactility, and access to real-time payment information.

🍰 Calling all amateur bakers! If you are you a fan of Channel 4’s ‘The Great British Bake Off’, applications for next season are open, and blind and partially sighted bakers are encouraged to apply. Find out more with RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey.

Head over to Tate Britain for an insight into the life and work of the Photographer Lee Miller📷 Find out about the exhibition and how blind and partially sighted visitors can book an audio described tour as we chat with Assistant Curator at Tate, Saskia.

"It's just a safe therapeutic space." Charity RNIB are launching new support groups for blind and partially sighted people run by qualified counsellors. The groups will help connect those with shared experience and our Hywel Davies has been hearing more.