Related Articles
If you’ve ever considered the transformative power of hearing someone else read the day’s news, imagine it amplified for those who can no longer read it themselves.
That’s the heart of the Keynsham & District Talking Newspaper (KTN), a volunteer-run service breathing life into local news and stories for the visually impaired.
With 40 years of history and over 1,800 recordings under its belt, KTN is more than a service—it’s a lifeline as Catherine Dhanjal, the secretary and trustee of the charity, explains.
“We’ve been around since 1983,” Catherine says. “We’re a registered charity, entirely staffed by volunteers, and we provide our service completely free of charge. Our listeners primarily live in Keynsham, Saltford, Bristol, and Bath, but we welcome anyone in the UK who has an interest in this area.”
The service reaches around 100 listeners each week, most of whom are older and may not have access to modern technology. “They’re people who are registered blind, partially sighted, or unable to read newsprint for any reason. That’s crucial because we comply with copyright laws, and it allows us to use Royal Mail’s free postal service for the blind.”
And what does this service look like in practice? Each week, a USB stick arrives in the post, packaged in an unmistakable envelope. “We hear from listeners all the time,” Catherine shared, “saying things like, ‘I love hearing that envelope plop through the letterbox—it feels like friends coming to visit.’”
Maintaining such a unique service takes a village—or in KTN’s case, 85 dedicated volunteers. Catherine revealed the inner workings of their operations: “We have editors who comb through local newspapers each week to select stories that resonate with our audience. It’s important that the news feels relevant, so we focus on hyperlocal items from Keynsham, Bristol, Bath, and beyond—things people wouldn’t hear on mainstream channels.”
Beyond news, KTN offers a mix of magazine content. Catherine explained: “We include recipes, poems, gardening tips, and quirky stories. For instance, there was a piece about someone from Bristol running a post office in Antarctica—it’s stories like these that spark joy and connection.”
Despite its traditional roots, KTN is moving with the times. “About 18 months ago, we launched an online listening service,” Catherine said. “Listeners can now access our two latest recordings via a password-protected website.”
There’s more innovation on the horizon, too. “We’re investigating an Alexa app provided by the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. With Alexa becoming a lifeline for many older people, they could simply say, ‘Alexa, play Keynsham Talking Newspaper,’ and hear our latest recording. It’s something we’re keen to roll out soon.”
Attracting new listeners remains a priority, and KTN has creative ways of doing so. “We redesigned our website a few years ago to make it modern and accessible,” Catherine said. “Our distinctive yellow-and-black leaflets are strategically placed in libraries, opticians, and doctors’ surgeries—those colours are easier for partially sighted people to read.”
Social media also plays a key role. “We share posts on Facebook and local groups, and the response has been fantastic,” she added. “Word of mouth is another powerful tool. If you hear someone mention a family member who struggles to read, please tell them about us.”
The logistics of KTN’s weekly production are nothing short of impressive. “It’s quite the operation,” Catherine admitted. “We record the magazine on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and the news on Thursdays. Our technicians stitch the recordings together, copy them onto USB sticks, and check each one to ensure it’s working.”
Once prepared, the packages are dropped off at the post office. “Keynsham Post Office has been amazing,” Catherine said. “They sort and send out the sticks, and our listeners return them the following week in special reusable envelopes.”
As KTN looks to the future, it plans to expand its reach and resources. “We’re aiming to build stronger links with referral organisations, recruit more volunteers, and begin fundraising,” Catherine says. “We’ve had generous donations from groups like Keynsham Rotary Club and Bristol Brunel Lions, but we need more support to continue our work.”
For those wondering how to help, Catherine had a clear message: “Spread the word, like or share our social media posts, and if you know of any funding opportunities, please think of us. Every little bit helps.”
Keynsham Talking Newspaper is a testament to the power of community and connection. In Catherine’s words: “Our listeners often tell us that hearing familiar voices reading the news feels like having friends over. It’s that sense of companionship we hope to continue bringing for many years to come.”
If you’re inspired to support or know someone who could benefit from this service you can email Catherine.Dhanjal@theanswer.ltd or call 0117 299 3021. You can also visit www.ktn.org.uk.
Join Somerset Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Somerset Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Somerset Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
