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Bonfire Night is coming up, but with longer and darker nights, crowds and noise, there are many things you might want to consider if planning to take part in celebrations. Paulina spoke with Emmy Anstee from Emmy's VIP Life about some of her tips on how to plan for the celebrations if you're blind or partially sighted. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

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: Six the Musical - Thursday 22 October, 8pm, touch tour 6.45pm, Woking theatre Dirty Dancing - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 1.15pm, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Austentatious - Monday 26 October, 7.30pm, Vaudeville Theatre, London Vision Redbridge Festival of the Dead - Friday 30 October, 5pm - 6pm, touch tour 4.30pm, Redbridge, greater London Hay Fever - Tuesday 3 November, 7.30pm, Wyndham’s theatre, London. To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

What is it like seeing a stage production with audio description? Luci Franks went to see the audio described performance of Les Misérables at London's Sondheim Theatre. The famous musical is based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. Set in 19th century France, Les Misérables follows the life of Jean Valjean – an ex-convict who seeks redemption and who is pursued by his rival and ex-guard Javert. Filled with love, passion and courage, the story seas Jean Valjean take on young orphan Cosette. Always on the run, they eventually find themselves in Paris in the midst of the French Revolution.   Luci spoke with RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew. Next touch tour and audio described performance of Les Mis will take place on Saturday 27th of February 2027. Find out more here: Les Misérables London | The Official Website Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

In our sight loss story feature this week, Hubert chats to Mark Long, who we had on last year, a lot has since changed for Mark, and he told Hubert all about it.

Until a meeting, as a teenager, with a social worker, Amrit Dhaliwal had no idea of the support and services that were out there for people who were blind or partially sighted. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Amrit, to find out how the charity has influenced her life and why she wants to make sure others seek out their services and help fund the charity’s work. #RNIBConnect Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

With Halloween around the corner, you might be looking for some fun and accessible activities to do. Paulina spoke with Emmy Anstee from Emmy's VIP Life about some of her suggestions for accessible activities that blind and partially sighted people of all ages can get involved in. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

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 8 October, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm, Curve Theatre, Leicester Paranormal Activity - Friday 9 October, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Woking Theatre Sinatra The Musical - Tuesday 13 October, 7.30pm, Aldwych Theatre, London Cats - Wednesday 21 October, 7.30pm, Hull New Theatre Table 17 - Thursday 22 October, 7.30pm, Kiln Theatre, London Northern Ballet’s Cinderella - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm, Theatre Royal Nottingham To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

As there seems to be a bit of an autumnal feel in the air at the moment which must mean we are in flu season again.  So for this week’s check in with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick it is all about reminding us to get our flu vaccinations. Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey why we have to be vaccinated for flu every year, who is eligible for the flu vaccination and who should have them.  Then to what the difference is between a cold and the flu, whether antibiotics work when you have flu and can we avoid getting flu too. Finally Elizabeth gave an outline about who is being called to get their flu and covid vaccinations this autumn. There is more about flu and covid vaccination services on the following pages of the NHS website - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/ To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email [email protected] or for more information visit -https://elizabethroddick.com 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.

Barry Snell learns about the Bella Foundations BMF International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians, which is open to classical and jazz musicians from around the world. Click here to learn more about the competition & also about The Bella Foundation

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: The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time - Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm, woking Theatre The Play that Goes Wrong - Friday 25 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 6.15pm, The Duchess Theatre, London Beetlejuice - Monday 28 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Prince Edward Theatre, London The Postal Museum - Audio Described Tour, Saturday 3 October, 10am, Postal Museum Tristan & Yseult - Thursday 8 October, 2.30pm, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

Are you interested about how puppies get trained to be able to be a guide dog? Well, in this podcast we get a little look at that as we find out how a group of puppies got on when they visited a theatre play.  Image shows a sweet guide dog puppy smiles at the camera as it gets chin rubs and pets from two Play That Goes Wrong cast members. Behind them lots of people taking photos of the cast and crew interacting with the visiting puppies. (Photo credit: ©EllieKurttz)

Three of Northern Ireland’s most compelling Vision impaired artists — Joe Kenny, Andrea Begley, and Future Her — join forces for Label Me Live, an exclusive one‑night event taking place at The Black Box, Belfast as part of the Bounce Arts Festival, presented by University of Atypical. Barry caught up with Joe Kenny, who is the gigs organiser

The Accessible Book and Story Festival is coming to Edinburgh on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th of September. If you’re curious to learn how books and stories can be made fun and engaging for children with additional needs, then you might want to check it out.  RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Ailie Finlay Director of My Kind Of Book, who are organising the event, to learn more. For more details visit: Accessible Book & Story Festival 2026 - My Kind of Book Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

It might be true that many of us may not get enough sleep as we should each night so for this week’s check in with Glasgow Based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick it is all about sleep. Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey why sleep is so important for us all, thinking about the best time to get to sleep and how much sleep we might need a night too.  Then to whether taking naps during the day are a good thing or not. Ending with a reminder from Elizabeth about heat exhaustion following on from all the recent heat waves and high temperatures that we have had over the summer which may have caused people to not get enough sleep too. To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email [email protected] or for more information visit - https://elizabethroddick.com 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 regular email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Audio Descriptions - Milestones Living History Museum, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London - Love’s Labours Lost - Sunday 6 September, 1pm, touch tour 11am,, Much Ado About Nothing - Tuesday 8 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, As you Like It - Thursday 10 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, A Tale of Two Cities - Saturday 19 September, 7.30pm, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, The Choir of Man - Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Wicked 20 – “Pink” Performance - Saturday 26 September, 2.30pm, Apollo Victoria Theatre, London To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)