Barry Snell learns why African and Caribbean communities are especially at risk of developing the sight loss condition Glaucoma .

He is talking to Robyn Asprey from Glaucoma UK and also to Chuckwudike Ukeje, who's own family was affected when his father was diagnosed with the debilitating eye disease.

To find out more about Glaucoma click here

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. 

This week Hubert speaks to Jannette Scott, and finds out about some of her many guide dogs, and why she decided to apply.

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. 

Ex-Paralympian Richard Burt who is about to take on an epic trek from Brighton to Salisbury, to raise money for the charity Wiltshire Sight. 

Barry Snell caught up with him to find out more.

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. 

Dawn Blezard recently took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in support of the Macular Society.

She shared with our Paulina Kuchorew how it went and why she chose to tackle the mountains.

Image description: four people pose by a summit stone on top of one of the peaks. They're all wearing bright yellow Macular Society t-shirts over hoodies and long sleeve shirts. From left to right: Sharon, Andy, Lisa, and finally Dawn. The sky above is clouded over but the group is smiling brightly.

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 Devil Wears Prada - Thursday 15 May, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm, Dominion Theatre, London

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two - Saturday 17 may, Part One 2pm, Part Two 7pm, touch tour 11am, Palace theatre, London

Six the Musical - Saturday 31 May, 4pm, touch tour 2.30pm, Curve Theatre, Leicester

Dealer’s Choice - Saturday 31 May, 2.30pm, touch tour 1pm, Donmar Warehouse, London

Shucked - Saturday 7 June, 2.15pm, touch tour 12.30pm, Regent’s Park Open air 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)

Birmingham Talking Newspapers For Blind and Visually Impaired (BTNBVI) are keen to attract new listeners in the Birmingham and surrounding area.

Barry Snell caught up with volunteer John Rae to find out more.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Barry Snell catches up with a former soldier Tony Haskey, who has been getting creative with ways to remember our fallen soldiers and also to raise money for the charity Blind Veterans UK.

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. 

We do hear a lot about new medicines being released but what about if you have a reaction or a side effect to that new medicine?

For this week’s regular check in with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick it is all about reactions and side affects to new medicines

Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey all about how the health authorities gather information about side effects and reactions to new medicines. 

Then Elizabeth talked about how we as members of the general public can report any side effects we might be experiencing from new medicines and whether there is more care taken with new medicines that our on the market.

Finally Toby asked Elizabeth whether she had ever reported a side effect to a new medicine that a patient may have been prescribed.

For more about using the Yellow Card system to report any reactions or side affects you might be experiencing from a new medicine do visit - https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email [email protected] or for more information visit - https://elizabethroddick.co

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.