Game on is an immersive exhibition exploring the history of video games at the national museum of Scotland.  They hosted an evening of accessible gaming in collaboration with RNIB and Triple Tap Tech and Amelia spoke to James Kyle about what RNIB is doing to make gaming more accessible. Learn more about Game On on the National Museums Scotland website - Game On | National Museums Scotland (nms.ac.uk) Learn more about accessible gaming on the RNIB Website - Design for every gamer for people with sight loss | RNIB Image shows Amelia and Matthew from RNIB standing in the Game On exhibition space playing a console game.

After 100 days of the new UK Labour Government, RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Cate Vallis and Roisin Jacklin about RNIB’s work with new politicians and some of their first thoughts on the new Employment Rights Bill. #RNIBConnect RNIB Logo

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.

Baboró is Ireland’s annual flagship International Arts Festival for children & families in Galway.  It's taking place in various venues across the city from the 11th to 20th October and has multiple events with audio description and touch tours. Amelia spoke to Aoife Delaney Reade to learn more. Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. 

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 the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar is reviewing Birmingham Royal Ballet’s revival of Frederick Ashton’s ballet ‘La fille mal gardée’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Jonathan Nash. About ‘La fille mal gardée’  Lise has a choice to make. Loaded country bumpkin or penniless, hunky farmhand? Of course, there’s no contest, but her mum has other ideas.  Heels are dug in and sparks fly, as a mother-daughter battle ensues. Mixing spectacular classical ballet with slick comedy, a clog-dancing dame, and a super-cute pony, as well as live music by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, this is fantastic entertainment for you, your friends, and all your family whether it’s their first ballet or a much-loved favourite. To find out more about Birmingham Royal Ballet do visit their website - https://www.brb.org.uk  And for more about access at Birmingham Hippodrome including details of audio described performances do visit the following pages of the theatre’s website - https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/plan-your-visit/access/ (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)

The Royal Ballet and Opera House in London continue their programme of access to their productions for blind and partially sighted people with an audio described opera double bill on Tuesday 15 October and Tuesday 22 October at 7.30pm with Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Trouble in Tahiti’ and ‘A Quiet Place’ at their Linbury Theatre with touch tours prior to both performances. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Grace Cook one of the Producers at the Royal Opera House, Freelance Audio Describer Sarah Borges and Paul Adams RBOH Access Manager to find out more about the Bernstein audio described opera double bill. About the Operas: ‘Trouble in Tahiti’ depicts a day in the life of Sam and Dinah, a married couple at odds with one another and the happy suburban life they crave. Unable to connect with his wife, Sam retreats into a hyper-masculine world of physical fitness, while Dinah turns to therapy and shopping. A trip to the cinema to see the latest film (Trouble in Tahiti) offers a window onto another world – but can the couple hold onto the illusion of happiness?    ‘A Quiet Place’ picks up the story 30 years later, after a family tragedy brings their children home. Dinah has been killed in a car crash, and as Sam wrestles with his grief at the funeral, his daughter Dede and her husband François pay emotional tribute to her mother. His son, Junior, makes a chaotic late appearance, prompting an angry outburst from his father. As the family navigates their grief, memories of the past rise to the surface, prompting a series of confrontations.     To find out more about the Bernstein double bill and to book your tickets for one of the up-coming audio described performances do visit the following website link and you can always email [email protected] if you have any enquiries regarding access at RBOH. https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/trouble-in-tahiti-a-quiet-place-details (Image shows Royal Opera House logo, black text reading Royal Opera House in capitals with a black and white depiction of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom on a white background)

Game On is an interactive exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland exploring the history of gaming.  RNIB have been working with National Museums Scotland and Triple Tap Tech to arrange an evening of accessible gaming on October 15th from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM.  It will feature a panel discussion involving game accessibility experts before attendees can try the interactive exhibits and enjoy a special accessible gaming area being created by Triple Tap Tech. Amelia spoke to James Kyle from RNIB, Jane Miller from the National Museum of Scotland and Fraser Fleming from Triple Tap Tech to learn more. Learn more about the events and book tickets using this link - Accessible Games Night with RNIB and TripleTapTech: Visual Impairment | National Museums Scotland (nms.ac.uk) Top half of the image shows a row of retro video games consoles in matching grey boxes with bright orange and blue lights above them, and bottom half shows a large oval table with a range of smaller vintage games. Photo (c) National Museums Scotland

Marshall Fairbrother is a totally blind composer, songwriter, musician and producer in his early 20s from the midlands who has carved out a career in the music industry and as well as releasing his debut song this June “How They Were’ he also has helped to set up a regular music session for anyone who is visually impaired who wants to learn an instrument, jam with other musicians and even gig too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey recently caught up with Marshall not only to find out more about his debut song ‘How They Were’ but also to find out a bit more about how he got into music and producing as a blind person, how accessible working in the studio might be for someone who is blind or partially sighted and more about those music sessions that are open to anyone who is visually impaired living in the Midlands who wants to learn an instrument and jam with other people too.  Marshall’s debut song “How They Were’ can be found on the following YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWJTG_nSJpc (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)

We were very excited here at RNIB Connect Radio when it was announced that blind Liverpudlian comedian Chris McCausland would be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year following on from the introduction of live audio description for the Saturday night live shows last year by Georgie from RedBee Media for all us blind and partially sighted Strictly fans. With many blind and partially sighted people taking up dancing and some even taking to the dance floor of the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, in the first of what will be regular weekly features on how Chris McCausland and his Professional Dancer Dianne Buswell are doing on Strictly Come Dancing RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined by Shaun Hayward a blind ballroom dancer who has competed in Blackpool to not only find out how Shaun got in to ballroom dancing but also to reflect and review on how Chris and Dianne have been doing so far in the competition.  Shaun will also be sharing some helpful hints and tips as Chris and Dianne perform a Salsa to Down Under by Men at Work this coming Saturday 12 October 2024. 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 page 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)

The Eye Care Support Pathway is a collaborative work from RNIB and partners within the sight loss and health sector. It’s goal is to create a system that supports everyone who is diagnosed with a sight loss condition in a timely and holistic manner. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell found out more about its goals and launch. If you’d like to find out more about the support available to anyone going through the sight loss journey, go to www.rnib.org.uk and look for Eye Care Support Pathway. You can also call RNIB’s Helpline on 0303 123 9999. #RNIBConnect Image Shows An Eye Chart with A Pair of Glasses On Top

To mark World Sight Day (10th October 2024), Percussion Play, the leading designer and manufacturer of outdoor musical instruments, has been working with the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) and The Amber Trust to understand how music-making outside can be made more accessible for young people who are blind, have low vision, or are partially sighted. This research aims to make play areas around the world more accessible and safer.   The research entailed Percussion Play holding two events at the RSBC’s Life Without Limits Centre in London with group and individual-focused musical workshops and instrument demonstrations for blind and visually impaired children and adolescents in the UK.   Percussion Play also invited the RSBC to its headquarters in Hampshire. The sessions were designed to garner feedback on the design of the instruments with the aim of making them more accessible and user-friendly for blind, low vision and partially sighted users. Instruments included Percussion Play’s uniquely designed drums, xylophones, bells and chimes.   RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Julie Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Society for Blind Children to find out more about how the collaboration came about, reflecting on the workshops, talking about the work that went in to the publication of the white paper ‘The Sounds of Progress’ and the importance of accessible play areas for young visually impaired people.  To read the white paper ‘The Sounds of Progress’ and to find out more about the Royal Society for Blind Children do visit their website - https://www.rsbc.org.uk (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)

RNIB’s Visibly Better Employer Standard helps companies of any size to make their workplace better for blind or partially sighted employees. Hywel Davies has been speaking to one of the latest organisations to meet the standard, ‘Babylon Arts’ in East Cambridgeshire. For more information on Babylon Arts, visit their website - Welcome to Babylon Arts

10th of October marks World Mental Health Day, and this year, we’d like to suggest one actionable thing that you can do to improve your wellbeing. Digital detox. But how do you do it, why is it important, and what benefits will it bring to your mental health and daily life?  Here’s Paulina with a couple book titles from the RNIB Library that you can check out to learn how to do a digital detox. if you fancy checking out one or both of these titles, you can do so through the RNIB Library. Just visit Home - Reading Services (rnib.org.uk) and sign up for your free account. Image: RNIB Library logo. A white square with 'RNIB' written in bold black capital letters, underlined with a bold pink line and 'Library' written in a smaller font size bellow.

Jonathan Abro visits some of the worlds most beautiful sculptures and artworks around the world, from the works of Matisse to St Paul's Cathedral. 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. 

Our David Hogg catches up with intern Jake Coles about his experience working with Real Thing AI so far… 

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 the charity’s attendance at the Political Party Conferences, working with the likes of Lego, Curry’s and Tesco, and his forthcoming appearance at the UK Covid Inquiry. 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 Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB

October is Free Wills Month, Hywel Davies has been finding out about the importance of having a valid will, along with the impact that legacy gifts make to RNIB. For more information on how to leave a legacy gift to RNIB in your will, visit the website - Leaving a gift to RNIB in your Will | RNIB | RNIB

You can enjoy an AD tour and art discussion of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) from the comfort of your own home. This month’s session focuses on works exploring the myth of 'The Three Graces' including the grand sculpture by Antonio Canova alongside work by Albrecht Durer, Jane Brettle, and more. Amelia spoke to Meg Faragher from NGS for more details of the session. The session takes place on Zoom, on Wednesday 16th October from 2 to 3.30 pm. Learn more on the NGS website - Visually Impaired Programme Online | The Three Graces | National Galleries of Scotland Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. 

Sight Cymru are one of Wales’ longest running sight loss charities. Their annual general meeting and conference is coming to Abergavenny Town Hall on Monday October 7th. Hywel Davies has been finding out more details. For more information on the conference and AGM, visit the Sight Cymru website - Home - Sight Cymru Image - Black text on a yellow background shows the name 'sight cymru', along with their logo, a heart inside an oval, in the shape of an eye.

Jonathan encounters camels and singing sands while camping in the Gobi Desert. 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. 

Hubert catches up with the RNIB social media team to discuss their work to help champion accessibility, and what’s trending. Listen out for mentions of chicken cake, and some national days too.

What resources are available for blind and partially sighted young people and their families? Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Karen Hirst, Early Support, Education and Training Manager at RNIB. Image: RNIB logo. A white square with 'RNIB' written in bold black letters and underlined with a pink line. 

Did you know disability activist, content creator and host of the Happy Hour, Claire Sisk, is a massive Swiftie? Following news that one of her concerts was made available with audio description in Scotland, she has worked tirelessly to make it happen near her. She told Paulina Kuchorew how a chance meeting has lead to a special AD trial at Wembley Stadium. Image: Claire smiles as she poses in front of a white textured wall. Her long blonde hair is styled straight and she's wearing blue jeans with a red t-shirt with a frilly cap sleeve.(Photo credit: Claire Sisk)

London Fashion Week took place in September and the Oxfam Fashion Show focused sustainability and inclusivity. Our Paulina Kuchorew spoke with disability activist and host of the Happy Hour, Claire Sisk, about her experience of walking the catwalk. Image: Claire looking cool in vintage clothes as she walks on the catwalk. Her blonde hair is swept back into a beehive style, she's wearing a dark green 60s style dress with a mini pocket at the front, and an open wool green coat over it. She's smiling as she walks, green nail polish visible on her thumb, the rest of her hand casually slipped inside the dress pocket. Behind her you can see a blurry outline of other models walking. (Image credit: Oxfam)

Our David Hogg catches up with Greg Hargraves of Paige Braille about the Paige Connect and how their partnership with Sight and Sound will make learning Braille easier and more fun this academic year…

There are many ways that blind and partially sighted people can get involved in the work that the RNIB does around making a more inclusive society for visually impaired people and even shape the future of the RNIB too.   One way is through taking part in the regular Voice of the Customer Focus Group meetings and the most recent meeting was all about relationships and social networks. RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined by Robin Kaye from the RNIB’s Insight and Customer Voice Team and Alison, a visually impaired focus group member, to find out more about the most recent focus group meeting which was all about relationships and social networks. For more information about the RNIB research programme and the Voice of the Customer Focus groups do either email [email protected] or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. (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)

Amelia was down at the Visionary 2024 conference and award ceremony, where over 250 people from across the sight loss sector came together to discuss how they support blind and partially sighted people.  Amelia spoke to Kris from Southampton Sight about a workshop he's collaborating on and also their Sight Loss Nurse Advisor Program. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

Amelia was down at the Visionary 2024 conference and award ceremony, where over 250 people from across the sight loss sector came together to discuss how they support blind and partially sighted people.  Amelia spoke to Amy Pearman from Visionary for a reflection on the events. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

 How is a mobile eye health education and testing unit helping raise awareness of sight loss in Birmingham? Amelia spoke with Prof Leon Davies to find out more. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

At the recent Visionary 2024 conference, Amelia learned about a creative initiative to helping children looking after their eyes and got a tour. She spoke with Project Manager and Optometrist for Villa Vision Nik Sonpal. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

Amelia was on the conference floor at the Visionary 2024 conference in Birmingham and spoke to David Anderson who was about to deliver a workshop on the RNIBs new Eye Care Support Pathway. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

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 the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar is reviewing the musical masterpiece that is A Chorus Line which revolutionised Broadway back in the mid 1970s as the Curve Theatre’s touring production visited the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describers. About A Chorus Line Seventeen stories. Eight chances. One singular sensation! New York City, 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, seventeen performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical. Only eight will make the cut. A Chorus Line is a musical masterpiece that revolutionised Broadway, with creator Michael Bennett using real-life testimonies from late-night recording sessions with dancers. Celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes, as they tell searing stories of ambition, shattered hopes, and what it really costs to follow your dreams. Originally produced at Curve and Directed by Nikolai Foster, with a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, A Chorus Line features iconic songs including One, I Hope I Get It, Nothing and the hit ballad What I Did For Love. The legendary Adam Cooper (Singin’ in the Rain, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake) and Carly Mercedes Dyer (The Drifters Girl Tour, Anything Goes, Barbican Theatre, Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre) are reprising their roles as Zach and Cassie which they played to great critical acclaim at Curve in 2021. For more about access at Birmingham Hippodrome including details of audio described performances do visit the following pages of the theatre’s website - https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/plan-your-visit/access/ (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)

As we celebrate 200 years since the creation of braille, RNIB is helping spread awareness of the tactile system of raised dots. We find out more as Allan Russell chats with Tech Talk's Dave Williams.  Image shows a square with three stripes. From top to bottom: pink stripe with 'Braille 200' written in white text, black stripe with an image depiction of the same text in white braille dots, and final white stripe with 'Powered by' written in black text and the RNIB and EBU logos beneath that.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re involved in and ask for your input to bring positive change to the lives of blind and partially sighted people, throughout the UK.  This month’s topics include a First Bus Swap With Me Event and news on the political party conferences.  If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved, email [email protected]  Visit rnib.org.uk/news or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999  If you like your socials, follow @RNIB_Campaigns on Twitter for campaign specific updates.  #RNIBConnect  Image Shows RNIB's Logo, RNIB in Bold Black Capital Letters with a Solid Pink Line Underneath

This National Eye Health Week we’re thinking about glaucoma, Hywel Davies has been speaking to one specialist with some advice on the condition.

Amelia is at the Visionary 2024 conference once again today with over 250 people from across the sight loss sector. She spoke to Fiona Sandford from Visionary this morning to hear what the day holds. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

Amelia attended the Visionary 2024 Conference Awards which celebrated exciting and innovative projects across the sight loss sector. She spoke to Mark and Andrew from My Vision Oxfordshire right after their Innovate and Inspire Award win sponsored by Fight For Sight. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

Amelia attended the Visionary 2024 Conference Awards which celebrated exciting and innovative projects across the sight loss sector. Amelia spoke to Hassan Khan and Kevin Gregory from Merton Vision right after they won the Children and Young People Award which was sponsored by the Powell Family Foundation. Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

Amelia attended the Visionary 2024 Conference Awards which celebrated exciting and innovative projects across the sight loss sector. RNIB sponsored the Connect and Collaborate Award and spoke to the Vision Partnership right after their win.   Image: Visionary logo. A dark green-grey square with 'Visionary' written in white font and an eye graphic made up of two interlocking rounded shapes in pink and lime green.

Named after the radical painter JMW Turner, the Turner Prize was set up in 1984 to celebrate British Contemporary Artists.   On Tuesday 24 September 2024 Tate Britain unveiled the work of the four artists who have been shortlisted for this year’s prize: Pio Abad, Jasleen Kaur, Claudette Johnson and Delaine Le Bas. At the press view for the Turner Prize 2024 exhibition RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with one of the Curator’s of the exhibition Amy Emmerson Martin, Assistant Curator, Contemporary British Art at Tate Britain to firstly find out a bit more about the history and background to the Turner Prize to then an introduction to each of the four shortlisted Artists along with an overview of their work that impressed the Turner Prize panel which is on display at Tate Britain.   The winner of the Turner Prize 2024 will be announced on 3 December and the exhibition of the four shortlisted Artists work continues at Tate Britain until 16 February 2025. Description tours with one of Tate’s Visitor Engagement Assistants can be booked in advance by either emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7887 8888. About the four shortlisted Artists: Pio Abad presents a restaging of his nominated exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, which explores cultural loss and colonial histories. Featuring drawings, sculptures and museum artefacts, Abad brings together in-depth research and collaboration to highlight overlooked histories and connections to everyday life, often from the perspective of his Filipino heritage. Newly added works include Kiss the Hand You Cannot Bite 2019, which reimagines an Imelda Marcos bracelet as a three-metre concrete sculpture, are shown alongside works like I am singing a song that can only be borne after losing a country 2023, a drawing that turns the underside of Powhatan’s Mantle - a Native American robe in the Ashmolean’s collection - into an imagined map of colonised lands. Jasleen Kaur presents works from her nominated exhibition at Tramway, Glasgow. Rethinking tradition, Kaur creates sculptures from gathered and remade objects, each animated through an immersive sound composition. Items including family photos, a harmonium, Axminster carpet and kinetic worship bells are orchestrated to convey the artist’s upbringing in Glasgow. A central feature is music, which is used to explore both inherited and hidden histories. Yearnings 2023, is an improvised vocal soundscape of the artist’s voice, which is layered over snippets of pop songs playing from the speakers of Sociomobile 2023, a vintage Ford Escort covered with a large doily crocheted from cotton and filling the space with Kaur’s own musical memory. Delaine Le Bas presents a restaging of her nominated exhibition at the Secession, Vienna. For her Turner Prize presentation, the artist has transformed the gallery into a monumental immersive environment filled with painted fabrics, costume, film and sculpture. Presented across three chambers, the work addresses themes of death, loss and renewal, and draws on the rich cultural history of the Roma people and the artist’s engagement with mythologies. Textile sculpture Marley 2023, for example, reimagines Dickens’ ghostly eponymous character as a harbinger of chaos, welcoming the viewer to this carefully constructed and captivating world, whilst the film Incipit Vita Nova 2023, projected onto organdie fabric, transports the viewer deep into a dreamlike sequence, matching the fluidity and distortion of the mirrored walls around it. Claudette Johnson presents a series of works from her nominated exhibitions at The Courtauld Gallery, London and Ortuzar Projects, New York, alongside new works. Using pastels, gouache, oil and watercolour, Johnson creates striking figurative portraits of Black women and men, often depicting family and friends. Her works counter the marginalisation of Black people in Western art history, shifting perspectives and investing her portraits with a palpable sense of presence. Friends in Green + Red on Yellow 2023 represents a recent development in her practice of creating double portraits, whilst Pieta 2024 is one of the artist’s first works on wood, made from pastel and oil on bark cloth. You will find out more about the Turner Prize 2024 exhibition by visiting the following pages of the Tate website - https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/turner-prize-2024 Image show the entrance to Tate Britain with two red banners reading 'Tate Britain' and  'Free For All'