Charity seeks volunteers to help record the 'Talking Tele'

Inverclyde Talking Newspaper provides audio versions of Tele stories for individuals who struggle to read conventional newsprint.

The organisation has been recording for over 40 years and distributes tapes and USB sticks to those with vision problems on a weekly basis.

Volunteers meet regularly at the Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock to read Tele articles onto audio media.

After recording, the files are copied and then posted out to those that need the service.

The recordings are delivered under the Royal Mail's 'articles for the blind' service, meaning that they are posted free of charge.

Colin Campbell, a long-standing volunteer, says the service has 'colossal' benefits for those using it

He said: "The service helps prevent those who struggle to read newsprint from being locked out of local news.

"We want to make as many people as possible aware of the talking newspaper, as I'm sure there are a lot of locals who would be interested in it.

"We had to stop recording for a few months during Covid because of the restrictions and when we started back we got hugely positive feedback from the users of the service.

"Without the recordings they had felt cut off from local news.

"It's ironic that we couldn't record during Covid, because that was probably when people needed it most.

"But now we're back we want to offer the service to as many people as possible."

The group also provides equipment for people to listen to the recordings if required.

Colin is urging locals to volunteer their time to make the audio recordings.

He said: "We need to increase our pool of volunteers.

"If there's anyone who'd be interested in helping to edit the audio or operate our recording equipment they should get in touch."

*Those who would like to receive the Talking Newspaper, know someone who would benefit from it, or are interested in volunteering, should telephone either Robert McCorkell on 01505 326347 or Margaret Hanley on 01475 729037 for further information.