What We Do

	Recording the Talking News

The tapes we produce are mainly local publications in order to serve local visually impaired people, but over the years we have come to include national titles such as the 'Methodist Recorder' which is delivered to 500 homes across the country every month. We try to reflect all interests, and have tapes on a wide variety of subjects from gardening and wildlife to sports. We also try to represent ethnic minorities by producing a monthly Urdu newspaper.

We also hire out the studio for businesses that wish to produce documents onto tape. We currently do work for Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council, West Lancashire District Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Manchester United amongst others.

All tapes are recorded in our studio and then 'fast-copied' in the Talking Newspaper office. Fast Copiers hold up to 38 tapes at once and copy 60 minute tapes in three minutes and 90 minute tapes in five minutes.

What We Want to Do

	Volunteer Readers in the Recording Studio

We are always open to ways of expanding and developing the service, and are currently expanding the number of publications that are recorded and edited digitally. By far the largest amount of tapes we send out is for Lancashire Eye, the Society's monthly magazine which is also now produced on CD. Every recipient who is on the list for our local tapes have this publication sent to them automatically, adding up to 2,000 copies each month. The recording, which is now available to listen to on the website, consists of news of events taking place in and around Galloway's, including holidays and day trips, monthly recipes, Lancashire dialect readings and a genealogy feature.

We are always open to comments and suggestions for Lancashire Eye, and anyone that would like to make a contribution should contact James on 01772 744148. We would like it to reflect the tastes of a cross section of Visually Impaired people, and are hoping to get a more 'hands on' feel by having more V.I.P's actually contributing themselves. Whether it's coming in to do an interview on a particular subject, or sending in their favourite poem, every contribution is welcome.

What You Can Do for Us

	Sorting the returned wallets

Our Talking Newspaper service is almost entirely reliant on voluntary help. Of the 400 volunteers that help at Galloway's nearly half of those work exclusively in the studio, or helping to produce the tapes. Although we have many excellent readers, we are always looking for more to fill in for holidays, and to help with new projects.

The administrative work involved in the production is much more 'hands-on' than reading (meaning you have to get your hands dirty!), however it is just as rewarding. Each little job from sorting through the sacks of incoming wallets to 'fast copying' tapes or CD's, to running tapes through the de-magnetizer; each little job is essential to the smooth running of the operation. Every volunteer that helps with this knows that without them, blind and partially sighted people simply would not get their news, which they value so much. Here is just a small selection of the letters of appreciation we receive every day.

"Dear Methodist Recorder Team. On my 85th Birthday I would like to the news from the MR in such a cheerful way. You sound like a very happy band of friends" Tom Curtis

"Many thanks ladies for the weekly news on tape. I look forward to the little yellow package each week. Bless your hearts, you are great!" Mrs Broadbent

"Thank you very much for the tape Four Seasons. My husband enjoyed it very much and is looking forward to receiving more tapes as they become due" E. Linford

"Thank you once again for another interesting and informative tape. It is so nice to see the seasons through somebody else's eyes" Mr Harris

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the tapes and CD's sent out?

Up to three tapes can be posted out at once in our wallets. The wallets, which are bright yellow for better visibility, are padded with removable address cards in the front, which the recipient can easily turn over before posting back to us. This is all done freepost by the 'articles for the blind' service, and it should normally be next day delivery.

How do you keep supplying the tapes?

We recycle all our tapes. Once they have been returned we then run them through a de-magnetizer, which cleans them, so they are ready for use again immediately. Obviously the tapes only have a limited lifespan before they become warped or damaged, but generally they are very hardwearing and can last for many, many recordings.

How do you keep a record of who receives what tapes?

This is done through a computer database linked with a paper 'tick list'. Each person has a number for each tape or CD and their numbered wallets are filed in numerical order in a different drawer for each publication.

How many tapes can you copy at a time?

At the moment we can copy 38 tapes every 7 minutes. This is quite good going, but when you're copying a large batch such as the Methodist Recorder, this means you need over 500 tapes.

Talking Newspapers Include

If you would like further details about the tapes that we produce, please contact:

Paul Spencer, Studio Co-ordinator
Galloways Society for the Blind
Howick House, Howick Park Avenue,
Penwortham, Preston. PR1 0LS
Telephone (01772) 753705
email paul.spencer@galloways.org.uk

I look forward to hearing from you, Paul