Talking Newspapers

Audio Recordings for the Visually Impaired

January Community Award – Ayrshire Recording Services

On Wednesday, January 22nd, Ayrshire Recording Services (Talking Newspapers for the Visually Impaired) received a £200 cheque donation from Hunterston Rotary Club. This generous contribution will support the expansion and awareness campaign of the service across North Ayrshire.

The Talking Newspapers Service provides a vital, free resource for registered visually impaired and blind residents of North Ayrshire. It offers audio recordings of local news articles, including community events, sports updates, and church services. Currently, the service features recordings from the Kilmarnock Standard, Irvine Times, and Cumnock Chronicle, with plans to incorporate the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald and the Largs and Millport News in the near future. Some church services are also available.

The service's growth depends heavily on continued support. Funding and volunteers are crucial to expanding the reach and content diversity of the Talking Newspapers Service. They're seeking enthusiastic individuals to help with reading, editing, and recording content, alongside those with expertise in developing and implementing innovative digital strategies.

The Talking Newspapers Service operates through a user-friendly system. Recordings are distributed by mail FREEPOST on USB sticks, which listeners can then plug into Bluetooth speakers provided by the service. Once finished, users simply return the USB sticks in a Velcro wallet using the same FREEPOST service, eliminating the need for trips to the Post Office. Just pop it into your nearest postbox for a smooth and convenient experience.

Rikki Farquharson, Production Manager, expressed gratitude for the generous donation, stating, "This funding will help support our 'Awareness Campaign' for our expansion in the whole of North Ayrshire in supporting the visually impaired community"

For more information about this vital service, visit the Ayrshire Recording Services website at arsb.org.uk.