Talking News moving forward

Throughout the pandemic Sheffield Talking News (STN) has continued to provide an audio version of city news and other items of interest to those unable to access it in other ways.

Produced primarily for the sight-impaired and anyone unable to read the written word for themselves, STN has been there every week to bring them the stories and lockdown events.

During the past 12 months the group has recruited 12 new volunteers, released over 50 editions of the weekly news, recorded six magazines and produced eight other recordings of interest in and around the city.

It has also taken the first steps into the world of social media through Facebook and Twitter.

A new feature of a ‘Weekly Information Bulletin’ has been introduced which includes useful information for the sight impaired, such as lighting up times, new medical developments connected with sight loss, details of current scams, items from a range of websites and locations of scaffolding in the city.

Some of the volunteers have been conducting a Listeners’ Survey by phoning listeners who receive their news on USB sticks and chatting to them about what they like best and least and what ideas they have for the future in order to improve the service further. A modified version of the survey will later be used to gain information from an increasing number who listen in other ways.

Like other organisations STN has evolved technically more rapidly than might otherwise have been the case and thrived by doing so. The future of Sheffield Talking Newspaper looks bright and it wants to reach out to as many listeners as possible both in and around the city.

STN is currently looking for a long term volunteer with extensive experience in social media to join in order to help the charity expand its listenership and presence within the city. Anyone interested should contact: [email protected] for more details and an informal chat.

Anyone wishing to receive the free Talking News recordings, or refer someone else to do so, should contact: [email protected] or leave a message on the answerphone 0114 278 0440.

Donations to the charity can be made through accessing the ‘Donate’ section of its website. For further information about the charity visit www.sheffieldtalkingnews.org.uk