As we move from week 4 into week 5 of Strictly Come Dancing our RNIB Connect Radio Strictly Star Reviewer blind ballroom dancer Shaun Hayward is back reflecting and commenting on how well blind Liverpudlian Comedian Chris McCausland and his Professional Dancer Dianne Buswell have been faring in the competition. 

Our Toby Davey began by asking Shaun how he felt Chris and Dianne’s Salsa to Down Under by Men at Work had gone on Saturday’s live show. To then asking Shaun for his thoughts on how some of the other dance couples had performed on Saturday and whether he felt the judges were right to send Nick Knowles and his professional dancer Luba Mushtuk out of the competition in the dance off on Sunday night.

To follow how Chris and Dianne are progressing through Strictly Come Dancing 2024 along with how all the other dance couples are fairing in the competition, do visit the following Strictly Pages of the BBC website - https://www.bbc.co.uk/strictly

(Image shows Shaun in a recording studio with microphones behind him in front of a colourful drape holding a plaque with medals on in each hand)

Sight Village exhibitions are a great way to learn more about products and services designed for blind and partially sighted people in your area. Hywel Davies has been hearing all about plans for Sight Village South East.

For more information on Sight Village South East, visit the QAC website - Sight Village South-East - Tuesday 5th November 2024 - Queen Alexandra College (qac.ac.uk)

TPT have launched a new campaign outlining five steps the government can take to give blind and partially sighted students more equal education access and opportunities to their sighted peers.

Amelia spoke to Lucy Merritt, Education Policy Manager at TPT, to learn more.

Learn more about the campaign on the TPT website - Vision for VI Education: Building Blocks for Change - Thomas Pocklington Trust

Image shows TPT logo which reads TPT in bold, dark blue writing with Thomas Pocklington Trust written below.

This November you’ll have the chance to experience ‘Vertical Dance’ in the new audio-described dance film ‘In The Light’. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.

For more information about the performance of 'Yn Y Golau' in Brighton, visit the South East Dance website - Yn y Golau (In the Light) | South East Dance

For more information about the 'Out of Sight' event in Bangor, visit the website - Out Of Sight (pontio.co.uk)

Hubert catches up with our very own social media team to find out what’s been trending and what we all need to be talking about. Plus get a preview of what’s coming up on RNIB’s social media pages.

(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)

Join Jonathan on his thrilling adventures in the sky and in the water.

Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues.

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white 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. 

RNIB is partnering with The Cadent Foundation Green Doctor programme, which funds Groundwork Green Doctors who are energy saving experts, to provide bespoke, tailored advice to help households stay warm, stay well, save money on their household bills, and reduce carbon.

RNIB and Groundwork are working together to support disadvantaged and vulnerable households in the Northwest. 

Find out more about this partnership as our Paulina Kuchorew chats with Suzanne Hyde, RNIB’s Advice Line Team Manager. 

Image: RNIB Logo. A white square with 'RNIB' written in bold black letters and underlined with a bold pink line.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Chris Danielsen, PR Director for The National Federation of the Blind, to look at some of the big stories coming from the USA's largest sight loss charity.

This month we look at White Cane Awareness Day and a day of action at the Headquarters of Uber and Lift.

To learn more about the NFB, USA, go to www.nfb.org

#RNIBConnect

Image NFB logo. A flower like shape made out of six drawn figurines. The figures made out of a circle and a curved line underneath for arms, and an upside-down U-curve for logs. Two figures on the left are blue and then going around clockwise it's two in orange and two in green. Next to the symbol 'National Federation' is written in black capital letters with 'Of the blind' written in blue capital letters in an even bigger font. A touch bellow slogan: 'Live the life you want.'

This Free Wills Month we're asking if you are one of the many people in the UK who doesn't have a will? 

Robert Kirkwood finds out why some people are put off writing them and why you should really have one.

Image: RNIB Logo. A white square with 'RNIB' written in bold black letters and underlined with a bold pink line.

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Matt talks about giving evidence to the UK Covid 19 Inquiry and the importance of World Sight Day.

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 portrait photo of Matt sitting outside and smiling, with some lovely greenery behind him.