The RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast

By RNIB Connect Radio

Listen up, speak up, break down barriers

A monthly podcast from RNIB in Northern Ireland exploring the issues and subjects that matter to people affected by sight loss li... more

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FAQs about The RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast:

How many episodes does The RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 65 episodes available.

The RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast episodes:

May 11, 2026 8: RNIB NI Podcast Episode 8 If you don't do anything, you achieve nothing.
Welcome to episode 8 of the RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast
, Listen up, speak up, break down barriers.
In this episode we have all sorts going on. Chair of Bangor campaigning group, Ken Carson, shares his reaction to a local win as a pedestrian crossing is finally installed on a busy stretch of Bangor road. We hear from RNIB NI Products Co-Ordinator Louise Kenny on her plans for a regular product testing group. The RNIB NI campaigns update comes by way of Policy and Campaigns Manager Paula Beattie and Connect Radio and medical student come Marathon runner, Niamh Kenny, speaks to us about her Belfast City Marathon fundraising adventure.
If it matters to people affected by sight loss, then it matters to us.
If you have feedback for the team or have an idea for future content, just email: [email protected]

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Bluesky

and Linked In

...more
41min
April 02, 2026 7: RNIB NI Podcast Episode 7 More than the eyes can see
Welcome to episode 7 of the RNIB NI Podcast ‘More than the eyes can see’
, Listen up, speak up, break down barriers. Listen and subscribe via your preferred podcast provider!
This month our Policy and Campaigns Manager Paula Beattie joins us to talk about Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), and we report from the CBS Action event at Stormont on 9 March, we speak to Judith Potts founder of Esme’s Umbrella, a charity based in the UK that campaigns for better support for people living with CBS. We also grab a word with RNIB NI’s Community Social Action Manager Elaine Manson about how to get involved in Understanding Sight Loss Sessions both as a person with lived experience of sight loss or as a business, service or organisation in Northern Ireland.
If it matters to people affected by sight loss, then it matters to us.
If you have feedback for the team or have an idea for future content, just email: [email protected]

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Bluesky

and Linked In

...more
46min
February 27, 2026 6: RNIB NI Podcast Episode 6 Teching Travel in the Right Direction
Welcome to episode 6 of the RNIB NI Podcast
Listen up, speak up, break down barriers!
This month we’re out and about with Colum Delaney from our Policy and Campaigns team. We’re talking about the types of barriers faced by the sight loss community to accessible and inclusive travel and what’s RNIB NI’s Transport Focus Group all about?
We catch up with the Accessibility Manager at Translink Danielle Campbell, on the recent partnership work between Translink and the sight loss sector around the opening of Belfast’s new Grand Central Station.
Did anyone say RNIB NI Tech Fair? Amelia Hilton from RNIB Connect Radio brings us a review of this year’s event in Derry/Londonderry with interviews and insight from some of the visitors.
If it matters to people affected by sight loss, then it matters to us.
If you have feedback for the team or have an idea for future content, just email: [email protected]

Image shows Danielle Campbell from Translink sitting in the RNIB NI studio with podcast host Joe Kenny

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Bluesky

and Linked In
...more
52min
January 15, 2026 RNIB NI Podcast Episode 5 Let's Talk Strategy Jan2026
Welcome to episode 5 of the RNIB NI Podcast ‘Let’s Talk Strategy’.

Listen up, speak up, break down barriers!

In this episode, we meet Paula Beattie, RNIB NI’s Policy and Campaigns Manager who tells us all the ways you can feedback on the Northern Ireland draft Disability Strategy. We also catch up with RNIB’s Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer Vivienne Francis as she reflects on 2025 and what lies ahead for the charity in 2026.
Gary McGouran heads-up the Make the Call team here in NI and drops in to share details of how the Make the Call service can support you to claim the welfare benefits and other services and support that could be available to you.
You can Make the Call by phone on 0800 232 1271

Or text ADVICE to:07984 405248.

If you have feedback for the team or have an idea for a future podcast, just email: [email protected]

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Bluesky

and Linked In

...more
44min
November 28, 2025 4: RNIB NI Podcast episode 4 Christmas Cracker
Welcome to episode 4 of the RNIB NI Podcast. Listen up, speak up, break down barriers!

In this our Christmas Cracker episode, we speak to Dr. Neil Black who leads on the Encompass MyCare project in Northern Ireland about some of the ways the MyCare patient portal can benefit blind and partially sighted people. We also get a whistle-stop tour of the RNIB NI Products and Advice Centre from Louise Kenny ahead of RNIB NI’s Christmas Open Day on 2 December.

There’s no stopping the Christmas shopping.

If it matters to people affected by sight loss, then it matters to us.

If you have feedback for the team or have an idea for future content, just email: [email protected]

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Bluesky

and Linked In

...more
49min
November 05, 2025 3: RNIB NI Podcast episode 03 Health is Horizontal
Welcome to episode 3 of the RNIB NI Podcast. Listen up, speak up, break down barriers!

In this healthcare special, Mike Farrar, NI Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, joins us for a fascinating, wide-ranging discussion on challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people within health and social care in NI.

Also, as November is Diabetes Awareness Month, we spoke to Suzy Hull, Healthcare Engagement Manager at Diabetes UK NI about diabetes-related sight loss conditions and the importance of prevention and screening.

People always say, ‘your health is your wealth’, well this podcast is worth its weight in gold. We hope you agree.

If it matters to people affected by sight loss, then it matters to us.

If you have feedback for the team or have an idea for future content, just email: [email protected]

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Bluesky

and Linked In

...more
53min
October 10, 2025 2: RNIB NI Podcast 02 Take Me to the Fair
Listen up, speak up, break down barriers

It’s here, episode 2 of The RNIB NI podcast.
Did someone say new CEO, Announcing RNIB NI Technology Fair 2026, and What has the RNIB Policy and Campaigns team in Northern Ireland been up to since last we spoke? Find out in this month’s episode.
If it matters to people affected by sight loss, then it matters to us.
Get in touch with the team by emailing [email protected]

The image shows Laura Cummings and Joe Kenny sitting in the RNIB NI studio and smiling to camera.

Join the conversation on our NI social media channels

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

We’re also on Blueskyand Linked In

...more
23min
August 13, 2025 1: RNIB NI Podcast episode 01 - Disability is a team sport
You’re welcome to episode 01 of the RNIB NI Podcast

For people affected by sight loss living in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Listen up, speak up, break down barriers.

This monthly podcast is all about having a conversation about RNIB’s policy and campaigning work in Northern Ireland. So let us know what you want us to discuss. Our inbox is open.

To get in touch please email [email protected]

...more
39min
December 24, 2024 56: Tracks of My Life with Denise Leigh
Tracks of My Life is a show on RNIB Connect Radio presented and produced by Toby Davey where he invites a guest to take us on a journey through their life, sharing the tracks that mark important moments which bring back memories to them.

Their chosen tracks of their life might include the first track they can remember hearing, the first track they bought, a number of tracks that mark moments in their life and the final track, a track that they would like to pass on which might give people hope for the future.

In this trimmed down podcast version of Tracks of My Life Toby is joined by talented blind opera soprano singer Denise Leigh, winner of Channel 4’s Operatunity opera competition semi-finalist in Britain’s Got Talent 2024 who has performed on many stages over the year’s including the London Coliseum and patron of a number of charities too.

Denise’s Tracks of My Life musical journey will start with a great sounding Northern Soul track from her early life growing up in Crewe.

To a track dedicated to Denise’s cousin Andy who sadly passed away in 2013 and a track that they would duet together on over the noise of the hairdryer while Andy was styling Denise’s hair.

Then to one of Joni Mitchell’s tracks from the album The Hissing of Summer Lawns which came out in 1975 which Denise says is a great example of story telling and showing Joni’s voice too.

We will then have a track that has mixed emotions for Denise taking her back to school and also a moment in the garden in the sunshine during the Covid lockdowns in her family bubble with her son playing this track too.

Before we hear Denise’s final track we have a couple of tracks relating to the time when Denise won the Channel 4’s Operatunity competition a piece from Verdi’s Rigoletto and a track for Chris, a close friend who helped Denise out with some of that physicality and presence needed for the filming of the competition and also for performing on stage too.

If you would like to find out more about Denise’s singing career and much more do visit her website - https://www.deniseleigh.com

(Image shows Denise and Stefan on stage at the Britain's Got Talent semi-final)
...more
36min
December 17, 2024 55: Tracks of My Life with Benjamin Wilson
Tracks of My Life is a show on RNIB Connect Radio presented and produced by Toby Davey where he invites a guest to take us on a journey through their life, sharing the tracks that mark important moments which bring back memories to them.

Their chosen tracks of their life might include the first track they can remember hearing, the first track they bought, a number of tracks that mark moments in their life and the final track, a track that they would like to pass on which might give people hope for the future.

In this trimmed down podcast version of Tracks of My Life Toby is joined by blind actor, theatre maker and access consultant Benjamin Wilson, who was the Ramps on The Moon Agent For Change at Sheffield Theatres. He is also the Co-Founder of creative audio description company Hear The Picture and the theatre company Brick Wall Ensemble.

Ben has worked with many theatre companies and performed on many stages over the years including Leeds Playhouse, The Globe and the National Theatre to name just a few.

Benjamin’s chosen tracks start with one to his Dad who passed away when he was only 10 years old and one that when he hears it he feels a real connection with his Dad again.

Then to a track from his favourite band Arctic Monkeys and seven years in Sheffield and working at Sheffield Theatres.

Next to the religion that is following your chosen football team through thick and thin with a true football song that has a 70s feel for Leeds United.

Theatre and football merge in Benjamin’s next chosen track with one from his own production of Henry 5 which he starred in and a track that all the cast sang and danced too.

Before we come to Benjamin’s final track we will have one for his partner Laura and one from road by Jim Cartwright a theatre production that he worked on as Audio description Consultant.

For more about Benjamin Wilson’s audio description company Hear the Picture do visit - https://hearthepicture.co.uk

You will also find Benjamin Wilson posting on X too - https://x.com/BenjaminEWilson

(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)
...more
33min

FAQs about The RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast:

How many episodes does The RNIB Northern Ireland Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 65 episodes available.