Talking Newspaper needs volunteers

A service which ensure blind and visually impaired Montgomeryshire residents can keep up to date with the latest local news is in need of volunteers.

The Powys Talking Newspaper, which originated as the Montgomeryshire Talking Newspaper, is now entering into its 50th year of operation, having been established by the late Mr Gareth Jenkins, then the Head Teacher of Meifod School, in 1971.

The service records edited versions of local news every week onto a master memory stick, before making copies on to individual memory sticks which are dispatched via the Post Office to over 80 people across the county.

Following a break during the 2020 lockdown, the team of volunteers, which includes editors, readers and technicians, is once again working hard to continue to deliver the service each week, whilst maintaining social distancing.

“The team is now looking for additional volunteers to help with the work across the range of support, including people who can edit the news to make it ready for recording, readers and technicians,” said a spokesperson.

The charity also needs a new secretary to take on the reins from Jill Jones from Montgomery, to whom the team are very grateful for her sterling work and all she has done. 

Training and support will be made available and anyone who can assist is asked to contact Helen Bennett on 01686 668446 or helenben700@gmail.com.