Advertise on podcast: RNIB - Health and Wellbeing

Following on from the last check in with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick and the mention of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet this week we continue to look at the different aspects of our diet and focus on the amount of salt we should be taking each day. Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey why our bodies need salt and the maximum amount of salt we should be taking each day.  Then to where our bodies actually get salt from and whether having too much salt is a bad thing for our health. Elizabeth ended with a beneficial story about eating chocolate. There is more information about salt in your diet on the following pages of the NHS website - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/salt-in-your-diet/ 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.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and today we’re shining a spotlight on charity Future Dreams. The charity was created from the vision of a mother and daughter Sylvie Henry and Danielle Leslie, who founded the charity after both being diagnosed with breast cancer but died before they could see their dream of a permanent support centre become a reality. Based in London, Future Dreams House just marked its fifth anniversary and supports thousands of people facing breast cancer. Joining Paulina Kuchorew on the Happy Hour to talk about their work and the importance of support that goes beyong medical treatment is Sam Jacobs, CEO of Future Dreams. 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.

World Mental Health Day falls on the 10th of October so on the Happy Hour this week, we focus on resources available to support your mental wellbeing. Joining Paulina Kuchorew on the show is Amanda Hawkins, Head of Mental Health and Counselling at RNIB, to look at some of the mental wellbeing resources available from the charity to support blind and partially sighted people. 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.

October is Menopause Awareness Month and on the Happy Hour this week we’re going to focus on the link between strong muscles and heart health.   New research by the British Heart foundation shows that over a third (34%) of women aged 40-70 aren’t aware that perimenopause and menopause can cause them to lose muscle more rapidly. Furthermore, separate research part-funded by the charity has linked stronger chest and back muscles with a lower likelihood of heart attack. We’re joined now by  Prof. Michelle Williams, a Professor of Cardiovascular Imaging and Honorary Radiology Consultant at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian. 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.

Angela Ricketts is an author, speaker, artist, entrepreneur, advocate, wife, and mother of three whose life and work are rooted in helping people feel seen, supported, and hopeful.  She is also the founder of Sight Stones, a non-profit dedicated to building community and finding and funding cures for rare retinal diseases.  She joined Happy Hour's Paulina Kuchorew to talk about her work and also her new book, Never Lose Sight. 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.

This week on the Happy Hour we’re joined by Saima Ashraf MBE. You might recognise Saima as one of the voices on the Eye Believe podcast, but she also works as a senior auditor and runs the East Lancs Legends Visually Impaired Sports Club in Blackburn.She spoke with the show's Paulina Kuchorew about how she got involved in the sport and why she would encourage everyone to try it. Image shows Saima in a blue t-shirt laugh as she holds an award for East Lands Legends, a medal around her neck. She has long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Yoga teacher Dawn Blezard returns to the Happy Hour for another Off The Matt chat. This month, she reflects on her recent challenge, which saw Dawn and her yoga community walk the Jurassic Coast Walk over the course of three days in support of RNIB. Dawn shares how years of yoga practice and also having a friendly community and a good cause in mind makes all the difference.You can find out more about Dawn by searching for "Pathway Yoga with Dawn" on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. Dawn also has a podcast: Seeing Within Podcast.  Image shows a birds eye view photo shows Dawn holding a pose on her black yoga matt. Her legs are crossed and she holds onto her toes on either side of her body as she looks up at the camera. She has blonde hair set in two French braids and is wearing a lilac long sleeve top with patterned leggings. The yoga matt is black with high contract purple alignment lines, which are designed to help align your body and improve posture during yoga poses.

On the Happy Hour this week we share another personal story. Musician Neil Billinness chats with Paulina about losing his sight after a stroke and turning to music for comfort in hard times following the death of his partner and his dad’s brain cancer diagnosis.  We’ll also dig deep into his musical style and inspirations.  To find Neil's music, simply search "Neil Billinness music." Image shows: Neil in dark glasses, headphones around his neck and a microphone hanging in front of him. He looks very cool.

Have you heard of Stickler Syndrome? Stickler Syndrome is a genetic condition affecting connective tissue and causing different symptoms. There are at least 11 distinct sub-groups of the condition, but they typically can present in main four areas: Eyes, hearing, musculoskeletal, and oro-facial.   Frequently unrecognised and undiagnosed, Charity Stickler Syndrome UK is hoping to raise awareness of this genetic condition, but also awareness of a free checklist tool to help catch the condition early. Happy Hour's Paulina Kuchorew is joined by student Amelia Aves, who was diagnosed early and able to retain hair sight due to early intervention. To find the free checklist screening tool visit: Screening for Stickler Syndrome Type 1 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 a raise in meningitis cases amongst students, last month, the UK Health Security Agency has announced a free time-limited MenB vaccination programme for a million eligible young people in the 2026-27 academic year.  Today, we’re joined by Patricia, who contracted meningitis in her late 30s back in 2006 and was left with long-term effects on her sight, hearing, taste and mobility.  She spoke with Happy Hour's Paulina about the long-term impact, finding support as she recovered and keeping a positive mindset. If you have a question about living with sight loss, no matter how big or small, RNIB are here to offer support. You can call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 anytime from 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday. 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.

On the Happy Hour this week, we're chatting health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on blind baseball. But, how do you play it and what wellbeing benefits does it offer? We’re joined by Sheraz Chohan founder and competition and development officer at UK Blind Baseball Association (UKBBA) as well as Amjad Khan, Chairman and co-founder or the organisation. To get in touch with the UK Blind Baseball Association visit: UK Blind Baseball Association 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.

How can music help memory and support people with dementia? Amelia speaks to Pam Ribbeck from Playlist For Life to learn more about their work and why you should consider making a playlist. Learn more on their website - Homepage - Playlist for Life 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.

Let’s join Paulina in the kitchen again, and this time, she's trying a couple gut-friendly recipes. Paulina followed the recipes from UK’s digestive health charity Guts UK. Recipe for overnight cocoa oats: Overnight Cocoa Oats - Guts UK - Guts UKRecipe for cottage cheese bread: Cottage Cheese Bread - Guts UK - Guts UK 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.

How can you look after your digestive system? Amelia spoke with Guts UK information manager, Julie Thompson, to learn about which foods and activites can support your digestive health. From Monday 13 to Sunday 19 July, the national charity for the digestive system is on a mission to flush away the stigma surrounding our digestive health and get the nation talking about their guts. Learn more about the Let's Talk Guts campaign and Guts UK on their website - Guts UK - the national charity for the digestive system - Guts UKImage 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.

What is the gut microbiome and why is it so important for our health? Amelia spoke with Guts UK information manager, Julie Thompson, to get an introduction to the Gut microbiome. From Monday 13 to Sunday 19 July, the national charity for the digestive system is on a mission to flush away the stigma surrounding our digestive health and get the nation talking about their guts. Learn more about the Let's Talk Guts campaign and Guts UK on their website - Guts UK - the national charity for the digestive system - Guts UK 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.