Staff from Lloyds Bank made the headlines when they took over the Manx Recorded News Service at Manx Blind Welfare Society.
The service delivers recordings of articles from Isle of Man Newspapers’ publications every week to more than 100 visually impaired people across the Island, to ensure they stay fully up-to-date with current affairs.
More than 50 volunteers give up their time to deliver the service every week of the year, but last week a team of six from Lloyds visited the Society’s headquarters, Corrin Court in Onchan, and spent time in the recording studio reading the latest news.
It was the first time in the service’s history that the recording was done by a team from a business rather than MBWS volunteers.
Derek Bridson from the Manx Recorded News Service said: ‘This was a first for the service, and it was wonderful to see people from the business community give up their time to help support what is a vital facility for more than 100 people around the Isle of Man.
‘Some visually impaired people are unable to read the newspapers, but don’t want to miss out on what’s happening in their community.
Our service arranges for a wide range of articles from the Examiner, Manx Independent and Courier to be recorded every week and posted out on digital memory sticks. We also provide devices to play the recordings on to anyone who doesn’t have one.’
‘It is a well-used service which some in our Island rely on, and it is wonderful to see staff from Lloyds Bank helping out our hard-working volunteers to deliver the news.’
Brett Zimmerman from Lloyds added: ‘We enjoyed a fascinating visit to the Manx Blind Welfare Society and learned how the charity supports more than 600 people with serious visual impairment in the Isle of Man.
‘We were shown the full range of services and support the charity offers, including the recording studio used by the Manx Recorded News Service. This service is delivered thanks to the dedication of a team of volunteers, and we jumped at the chance to get involved.
‘I think some of us might have been a bit nervous becoming newsreaders for the first time, but it was very rewarding to know we were doing something which is so important to so many people. I would encourage anyone who can spare some time to get involved.’
Anyone who would like to support the work of the Manx Recorded News Service and Manx Blind Welfare Society can find out more by calling Volunteers Coordinator and Events Organiser Debbie Kenyon on 674727 or emailing dkenyon@mbws.org.im.
Photo - The team from Lloyds Bank visit the headquarters of Manx Blind Welfare Society at Corrin Court in Onchan.
