RNIB Connect

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for another audio described theatre review.
This week we have a gripping examination of nation and the beautiful game, football as the current tour of the National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit ‘Dear England’ visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn. 
About ‘Dear England’
The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit ‘Dear England is on a highly anticipated tour.
It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.
Football and non-football fans alike will be brought to their feet in this joyous, five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph). 
From multi award-winning writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), Dear England tells the inspiring, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately uplifting story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.
David Sturzaker (Doctors, BBC) plays former England manager Gareth Southgate in this gripping examination of nation and game. He is joined by stage and screen actress Samantha Womack (Eastenders, BBC; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as team psychologist Pippa Grange.
For more about the current tour of ‘Dear England’ do visit - https://dearenglandonstage.com
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UK sight loss charity has responded to the latest Covid Inquiry publication, Module 3.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Sophie Dudgeon, from the charity, to get their take on the publication.
If you’d like to read more about the response, go to www.rnib.org.uk or look at our video at www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/covid-19-inquiry/
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Did you know RNIB offer advice and support on benefits and taxes for blind and partially sighted people?
Amelia spoke to Alan Atherton from the RNIB Welfare benefits and tax team to learn more.
Learn more on the RNIB website - Money and benefits for people with sight loss | RNIB
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Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.
This week Simon talks about volunteering and fundraising.
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 call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.
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RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project.
Allan Russell was there and spoke with representatives from Lothian Buses. 
Image shows a large group of people posing outside in front of a Lothian Bus. It's a mixture of men and women of all ages, with a couple guide dogs mixed in. It's an overcast but nice day in Edinburgh and everyone is smiling.