New Audio Book Club Launches for Blind and Partially Sighted Readers in Newquay

A brand-new audio book club has launched in Newquay, giving blind and partially sighted people the chance to come together over their love of reading.

First Meeting at Newquay Library

Seven members met at Newquay Library for the first session, where they introduced themselves, talked about their favourite authors, and chose their first book to read as a group.

The club was started by iSightCornwall member and trustee, Beatrix Love, who wanted to bring people together through a shared interest.

Beatrix said:

“I wanted an in-person group where we can support each other and talk about our love of books and gather around a similar subject rather than just sort of meeting up just because we’re blind.

I’ve always been a massive booklover and since I lost my sight, I found that the Talking Books Service has given me such a lifeline, and I wanted to spread that to those people in my local area.”

Using the Talking Books Service

The club will be supported by the RNIB’s Talking Books Service, a free service for blind and partially sighted people. Books are sent through the post on either CD or USB stick, which can then be played on a USB speaker.

Beatrix has registered the club with the service, meaning that once a book is chosen, copies are sent out to all members at the same time. This ensures that even if someone misses a meeting, they can still keep up with the reading.

Support From iSightCornwall

Two members of the iSightCornwall team attended the first meeting to help anyone not already signed up for the Talking Books Service and to give demonstrations of the different USB and CD speakers available.

iSightCornwall Wellbeing Coordinator, Sophie Butcher, said:

“It was a fantastic first meeting and we’re really pleased with how it’s gone. Hearing everyone share their own experiences and bond over a love of reading was lovely.

A big congratulations to Beatrix for launching the club and a huge thank you to Newquay Library for being so accommodating. The club has been so successful that we’d love to launch similar clubs across Cornwall.”

What’s Next

The first book chosen by the Newquay Audio Book Club is The Dreaming Suburb by RF Delderfield, the story of a war veteran returning from the trenches to a changed family life.

The club will next meet on Thursday, 16th October at 2pm in Newquay Library to discuss the book and select their next read. Meetings will continue on the third Thursday of every month.

For more information about the Newquay club, or to enquire about setting up a similar group elsewhere in Cornwall, contact iSightCornwall on 01872 261110 or visit iSightCornwall