A Co Down volunteer group creating a free audiobook library for visually impaired people has been praised as life-saving.

 A Co Down volunteer group creating a free audiobook library for visually impaired people has been praised as life-saving.

Bangor Audiobook group has chosen a third RNIB talking book following a fundraiser led by the group leader, Ken Carson, and volunteer sighted guide, Pauline Canning. The fundraising efforts raised £4500.

Davy Daniel, 67, was never a ‘reader’ before he lost his sight due to diabetic retinopathy 12 years ago, at age 55. It wasn’t until he got in touch with RNIB that he tried RNIB’s Talking Books service, and says that it changed his life.  

“I’d always been into car magazines. My trainer convinced me to try downloading a car magazine and using magnification to read it, I persevered and was able to read the magazines again.

“I’d never heard of audiobooks, but the trainer recommended a few books he liked… and I was hooked. It would only take me 2 days to get through a book, I’d be up til 2am reading.  I’m reading all the time now – I have a portable player I take with me travelling, to appointments, out in the garden, and even have a player to listen to them while in the bath!” says Davy.

“I told Ken about how good the books were on the train one day on our way to a walking group with RNIB that I’d also joined, and spoke to a few of the other people, and we thought we should get a group together and make sure other people know about these.”

“The group has now been going for seven years. It’s an opportunity to chat and enjoy some time together, and some good food as we meet in the Ava restaurant, whose staff are amazing.”

Gill Jackson lost her sight overnight.

“I attended SNIB’s Living Well With Sight Loss course, which was brilliant. I’d never met another blind person before. A bit later, I was introduced to Ken.”

“They’re life-changing. I’d choose books over TV now. You can relax and listen to an audiobook, where sometimes it’s hard focusing on the TV, especially if there’s no audio description to figure out what’s going on,” says Gill.

 “Since losing my sight to the degree it is now, the RNIB Talking Books have been brilliant. The audiobooks help to really put you into that other world you’re reading about, away from any stresses.”

Ken Carson, RNIB group leader said, “The audiobook group had been going for a while when Pauline, who I used to work with for many years in the civil service, said she would like to raise money for RNIB Talking Books after discovering just how brilliant the service was to so many of us.” 

Volunteer, Pauline Canning said, “I’m an avid reader myself and I just couldn’t imagine my life without reading if I lost my sight, so the idea grew from there. Until you see it first-hand, you don’t appreciate some of the barriers.”

“I’d particularly like to thank Ken for his dedication in volunteering, both with the group and in his wider capacity as a peer support volunteer. His impact on the lives of others is immeasurable,” says Robert.

RNIB’s Talking Books are free and easy to order – over the phone, by email or download online. so listeners can use a reading device that they are familiar with. Call the RNIB Helpline to get started on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.