Rachael performing at Carols by Candlelight, 2013
How are you finding the experience of being at
And you now have a new RSB guide dog, Ella to
uni?
help you – what difference has she made in your
It’s stressful at times, but fun too. Getting used to
life?
doing assignments again was hard, but when it’s
Ella is my angel. She has made life and independence
things you want to learn about it makes it a lot easier
so much easier, and I couldn’t imagine life without
to absorb. People are also really nice and friendly.
her now. My sight deteriorated so much that the cane
just didn’t cut it anymore, and with Ella I feel much
Are you studying full-time? How do you plan to
more security and safety when I go out by myself.
manage the demands study as well as music?
Even if I get lost, I’ll be “safely lost” as they say. I
I’m only studying part-time and I’m so happy for it. I
just love her to pieces.
don’t think I could’ve handled full-time uni, but I’m
balancing it pretty well at the moment. If there is ever
a conflict between uni and music, depending on what
Can you tell us about the work you do as an
ambassador for the Royal Society for the Blind?
it is, music will usually be favoured because I can
I’ve been an ambassador for the Royal Society for the
always go back to uni at any time.
Blind since 2011, and I’m so proud to be a part of this
wonderful organisation. As an ambassador, it’s my