A Talking Newspaper is a free audio version of the local paper, available to anyone registered blind or partially sighted — and to anyone who can't read the paper themselves for another reason, such as being unable to hold it or turn the pages.
The Henley and District Talking Newspaper
Run entirely by volunteers, the Henley and District Talking Newspaper delivers an audio recording of The Henley Standard through the listener's letterbox each week.
Specially prepared pages are collected from the Standard's office every Thursday. That evening, a group of readers and a technical controller produce an hour-long recording — including news from the surrounding villages, Letters to the Editor, the Diary Page, family announcements and Thought for the Week, plus articles the readers think listeners will enjoy. The recording is copied onto memory sticks and posted out, arriving on Saturday morning; listeners then post them back using the Post Office's freepost service for blind and partially sighted people.
How it works
Most listeners are provided with a player, but the memory stick will also work in any computer with a USB port. The service was founded in 1982 with sponsorship from the Lions Club of Henley-on-Thames, and has been an invaluable service to visually impaired people ever since. Arrangements can even be made to send the recording to people in hospital, nursing or care homes.
Getting involved
- To become a listener, contact the Talking Newspaper to arrange a visit, a free player and a demonstration.
- To become a reader, they'd love to hear from people with a clear voice — there's a very informal audition to hear how your voice records.
You may also find the RNIB National Talking Newspapers and Magazines service useful. Perhaps Gardiner's could help you keep doing the things you enjoy? Get in touch for a chat.
