S2 Ep509: RNIB Connect Voices Round up 15 May 2024

Alice Findlay, RNIB Customer Voice Insight Co-ordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey.

Opportunities highlighted this week included:

Help the RNIB to review the Giant Cell Arteritis factsheet - 

RNIB has a range of factsheets for a wide variety of eye conditions. And we're looking for people who can help us by reviewing our factsheet on Giant Cell Arteritis or GCA. By contributing a small amount of your time, you could support one of our key services teams by reviewing our GCA factsheet. 

Is this factsheet useful, easy to read and detailed enough – or could we improve it?

Your valuable feedback will make sure our eye health information is as helpful as possible for people diagnosed with this condition. 

To take part and for more information email [email protected]

Would you like to take part in a podcast about sexual health for visually impaired people?

SASH is a mental health and wellbeing charity focused on sexual health. They offer a range of services including counselling, coaching, peer support, training and workshops. They would like to invite you to join their podcast series on sexual health for visually impaired people. The podcast will take place on Monday 24 June from 1pm to 2:30pm. They are looking for volunteers to help them raise awareness, debunk myths, discuss barriers to accessing services and address misconceptions around relationships as well as the risk of domestic violence.

Complimentary drinks and snacks will be provided. The recording will be taking place at their office at 30 Wardour street, London, W1D 6PT.

To find out more and to take part in the recording do contact Sade via email [email protected]

Research participants needed for two studies at the Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) in Cambridge.

VERI is part of Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge and their researchers are looking for people willing to take part in two novel studies they are carrying out. 

Study one - examining attention versus perception in individuals with low vision.

The study will take place at VERI, Young Street, Cambridge and travel expenses of up to £50 will be covered for people willing to commute. 

The study involves a combination of two visual examinations and two computerized tasks that will take about 90 minutes to complete. Your participation could make a significant impact on improving support for the low vision community. 

Study two - researchers are specifically looking for people with experience of Charles Bonnet syndrome. This second study aims to understand how the brain creates visual hallucinations for people with Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

The researchers will be measuring brain activity recorded by an EEG, but don't worry, it's completely non-invasive and harmless.

The study will take place at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge and travel expenses of up to £50 will be covered for people willing to commute to Cambridge for the study.

Your participation could contribute to research and support for those with Charles Bonnet Syndrome. 

If you’re interested in taking part in either study, please contact Natalie Assaf at [email protected] for further details.

To find out more about these and other Connect Voices opportunities along with how you can get involved with RNIB Connect Voices do visit-

https://www.rnib.org.uk/connect-community/connect-voices-network/connect-voices-current-opportunities

(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)