Megan Evans, who lives and works in Petersfield, is a fundraiser for DeafBliind UK.

They support people who have degrees of sight and hearing loss, some totally so, and they want people to understand more about it and offer help.

In an uplifting conversation, Megan speaks to Mike Waddington about their work and the15 different ways deafblind people use to communicate. 

Deafblind Awareness Week runs from 22nd to 28th of June and commemorates Helen Keller -  one of the most well-known deafblind people in history, famous for her political activism, and for being the first deafblind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree.

More at Deafblind UK | Supporting Deafblindness in the UK  and 0800 132320 Email  info@deafblind.org.uk

Megan Evans, who lives and works in Petersfield, is a fundraiser for DeafBliind UK.
They support people who have degrees of sight and hearing loss, some totally so, and they want people to understand more about it and offer help.
In an uplifting conversation, Megan speaks to Mike Waddington about their work and the15 different ways deafblind people use to communicate.&nbsp;
Deafblind Awareness Week runs from 22nd to 28th of June and commemorates Helen Keller -&nbsp; one of the most well-known deafblind people in history, famous for her political activism, and for being the first deafblind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree.
More at <a href="https://deafblind.org.uk/">Deafblind UK | Supporting Deafblindness in the UK</a>&nbsp; and <a href="tel:0800 132320">0800 132320</a> Email&nbsp; <a href="mailto:info@deafblind.org.uk">info@deafblind.org.uk</a>

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.

We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.

This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.

Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at https://shineradio.uk, email team@shineradio.uk or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.
We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.
This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.
Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at <a href="https://shineradio.uk">https://shineradio.uk</a>, email <a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.

Voices and stories from Petersfield in Hampshire, UK

Petersfield's Shine Radio

DeafBlind UK looking for Petersfield's help

Rey is a rescue dog who supports his human partner, Jack, with the challenges of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

What is striking is the reciprocity that defines this partnership, in which each is helping the other. 

There are many practical tasks that a PTSD service dog is trained to help its owner with day to day life However, it's the psychological impact that we explore in this episode.

Owner Jack Billington says that of all the therapies and help he has accessed for his PTSD, Rey has been by far the most effective. He shares some of the nuances of the partnership with Kate Fairweather sitting in Petersfield's Market Square. 

A big thank you to Jack for coming onto the show and his openness in explaining the emotional and social aspects of his life, to which Rey has made such a difference.

If you would like to know more about PTSD assistance dogs, Service Dogs UK is a great place to start. 

Connected episodes on assistance dogs
Duke, the PTSD service dog, (also trained by Service Dogs UK) 
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police 
By your side: navigating life with a guide dog over time
Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support

Do you work your dog?

Or perhaps you know someone else who does and might like to come on the show?  I love to hear about all and any working dogs - the more varied, the better! 

Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.

Find more dogs with interesting jobs. 

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2026

Rey is a rescue dog who supports his human partner, Jack, with the challenges of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).&nbsp;
What is striking is the reciprocity that defines this partnership, in which each is helping the other.&nbsp;
There are many practical tasks that a PTSD service dog is trained to help its owner with day to day life However, it's the psychological impact that we explore in this episode.
Owner Jack Billington says that of all the therapies and help he has accessed for his PTSD, Rey has been by far the most effective. He shares some of the nuances of the partnership with Kate Fairweather sitting in Petersfield's Market Square.&nbsp;
A big thank you to Jack for coming onto the show and his openness in explaining the emotional and social aspects of his life, to which Rey has made such a difference.
If you would like to know more about PTSD assistance dogs, <a href="https://www.servicedogsuk.org/">Service Dogs UK </a>is a great place to start.&nbsp;
Connected episodes on assistance dogs
<ul>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/duke-the-ptsd-service-dog?in_playlist=dogs-with-jobs">Duke, the PTSD service dog</a>, (also trained by Service Dogs UK)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Mika, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/mika-the-wellbeing-and-trauma-support-dog-who-work?in_playlist=dogs-with-jobs">well being and trauma support dog</a>&nbsp;in the Metropolitan Police&nbsp;</li>
<li>By your side:<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/by-your-side-navigating-boyhood-manhood-and-now-bl?in_playlist=dogs-with-jobs">&nbsp;navigating life with a guide dog over time</a></li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2024/11/ralph-the-multi-tasking-owner-trained-assistance-dog/">Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog</a>&nbsp;- perfect for a Rogate teenager</li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2024/09/darcey-the-canine-partner/">Darcey, the Canine Partner</a>: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom</li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2021/07/benjy-the-trainee-guide-dogs-first-five-weeks-on-the-job/">Benjy, the trainee guide dog</a>'s first five weeks on the job</li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2021/10/daisy-the-autism-assistance-dog/">Daisy, the autism assistance dog</a>&nbsp;- practical, psychological and emotional support</li>
</ul>
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who does and might like to come on the show?&nbsp; I love to hear about all and any working dogs - the more varied, the better!&nbsp;
Get in touch with me, Kate, via&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk.</a>
Find more&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/playlists/dogs-with-jobs">dogs with interesting jobs.</a>&nbsp;
&copy; &amp; ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2026

Rey, the one-eyed PTSD assistance dog

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
Special service of Commemoration for Commander Loftus Jones VC.
Outgoing club captains raise record amounts for a local charity.
DeafBlind UK looking for Petersfield's help.
We preview this weekend’s sport.

To share your news stories email team@shineradio.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Published at 5:00am on 1 May, 2026

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
<ul>
<li>Special service of Commemoration for Commander Loftus Jones VC.</li>
<li>Outgoing club captains raise record amounts for a local charity.</li>
<li>DeafBlind UK looking for Petersfield's help.</li>
<li>We preview this weekend&rsquo;s sport.</li>
</ul>
To share your news stories email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.
Published at 5:00am on 1 May, 2026

Local news for Friday 1st May

When we get two Full Moons in the same calendar month, as we will on the 1st and 31st this month, the second is called a Blue Moon. Discover why this happens and when you can see both moons this month, and more in May's Sky Watch.

Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

Let Shine Radio open up the wonder of Petersfield's night skies for magical star-gazing from your doorstep, in Sky Watch.

When we get two Full Moons in the same calendar month, as we will on the 1st and 31st this month, the second is called a Blue Moon. Discover why this happens and when you can see both moons this month, and more in May's Sky Watch.
Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.
Let Shine Radio open up the wonder of Petersfield's night skies for magical star-gazing from your doorstep, in Sky Watch.

DeafBlind UK looking for Petersfield's help

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