BLIND and partially sighted people can now listen to the Standard’s stories online, thanks to Redditch and Bromsgrove Talking Newspapers.
The voluntary organisation has been providing news from the two towns for more than 40 years but recently adapt to challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Until March it was based in a small room in Community House, Redditch.
The files were sent out on USB sticks but the method was considered too much of a risk with regard to spreading the virus.
Local filmmaker Brian Becker stepped in to organise a small group of volunteer readers to record selected news and sports stories, along with letters and family announcements, onto digital files at their homes.
He then edits them together and uploads them to the national Talking Newspapers app.
Listeners have been contacted about the changes and the move has led to even more people tuning in via their smartphone or home computer.
Brian and the team are now hoping those reading this who have blind or partially sighted friends and relatives living in Bromsgrove and Redditch will spread the word so the service can be enjoyed by more people.
Anyone with a visual impairment in the two towns who is interested in receiving the digital recording should call Margaret Mountford on 01527 451292.
Any budding newsreaders who would like to get involved should email Brian at [email protected] – all they need is laptop computer to record on and a few hours a month to volunteer.
