Bringing local news to life for people who are blind, visually impaired or unable to hold a newspaper.
We make weekly audio recordings of local news, magazine articles and What’s On events in the community.
Anyone can listen to our recordings free of charge, without registering, either here:
If you are blind or visually impaired you can opt to receive our weekly recording on a CD or memory stick through the post, using the Royal Mail Articles for the Blind scheme. Please ring or email the office to register as a listener if this applies to you.
The Talking Newspaper Federation website explains how to listen to recordings in other ways including streaming recordings using a mobile phone or tablet with a Wi-Fi connection or via Alexa or Google Smart Speakers.
Donations and Fundraising
We raise money to cover our basic costs such as rent, telephone, broadband and stationery through donations, fundraising events at sporting events, supermarkets, talks to social groups and making recordings for other organisations.
All monies raised and donated go direct to the charity’s running costs. No one receives a salary..
Thank you to all our supporters. We would particularly like to thank:
- ASDA’s Whinfield store for allowing us to visit the store for collection and information events,
- A.E Burt & Company, our landlords, for their support,
- Darlington Lions Club who have been very generous.
You can donate by:
- cheque, payable to “Darlington and District Talking Newspaper”
- a regular direct debit from your bank account
- cash at one of our information or fundraising events
- PayPal, using the friends & family option and our email address
- leaving a gift in your will
We appreciate all donations, no matter how large or small. We are registered for Gift Aid. So if you are a tax payer and would like to increase the size of your donation, please contact us.
Thank you to all who have given so generously in the past.
Volunteers
There are a variety of volunteer roles, which are organised on a rota basis:
Producer, Reader, News Editor, Magazine Editor,
What’s On Editor, Copying, Administration and Fundraising.
When we have vacancies they are normally advertised here:
Producer
We need a new Producer to oversee our recordings on a 4/5 week rota. You would attend the office on a Wednesday, late afternoon or evening, for about 3 hours. You will help set up our equipment, including microphones, the mixing desk and PC.
Then take charge during the recording process, reading announcements, stopping and editing out mistakes as necessary, dividing the recording into tracks and once the recording is complete creating a master copy. Full training will be given but you must be computer literate. An interest in sound engineering, amateur recording or software such as Audacity, would be an advantage but not essential.
Recordings for other organisations
If you would like a quote for an audio recording please contact us.