What is torch?

Annual Report

To find out what happened in 2006 download our Annual Report (Html-35k)

Council of Reference

Torch values the encouragement and advice from its Council of Reference made up of respected Christian leaders.

The Ven. Richard Atkinson OBE, Archdeacon of Leicester

Rev’d. Dr. Steve Brady, Principal -Moorlands College

Rev’d. Dr. David Coffey OBE, President -World Baptist Alliance

Rev’d. Malcolm Duncan, Leader of Faithworks

Jonathan Lamb, Langham Preaching

Rev’d. Roy Searle, Leader - Northumbria Community

Dr. Elaine Storkey, President - TEARfund

Rev’d. Dr. Derek Tidball, Principal, London School of Theology

Trustee Board

The Torch Trust is overseen by a board of 8 trustees, 4 of whom have a visual impairment (B).

Marilyn Baker (B), Chair

Andre Clowes

Dr. Clive Dilloway, Vice Chair

Carol Eddon (B)

Rev'd. Glen Graham (B)

Dr. Mike Townsend (B), Technical Director

Rev'd. Ron Wells

Heather Williams

Also attending board meetings are ...

Dr. Gordon Temple, Chief Executive

Andrew Nicholson, Assistant Chief Executive

John Darby, Company Secretary and Personnel Officer

Leaders

The work of the Torch Trust is managed by a group of Leaders ...

Andrew Nicholson, Assistant Chief Executive

David Palmer, Leader - Regional

Lydia Tebbutt, Leader - Literature

Janet Stafford, Leader - International

Dr. Gordon Temple, Chief Executive

Gail Millar, Leader - Holidays

Paul Wood, Leader - Technical Services

TORCH IS A MISSION

- committed to sharing in both words and actions the love of God shown in Jesus. Torch seeks to operate in accordance with the principles taught by the Holy Bible.

Download Torch's Basis of Faith

TORCH IS FELLOWSHIP

- Christian fellowship where blind and sighted people meet on equal terms. Some 130 Torch Fellowship Groups meet informally on a monthly basis across the UK, with many more overseas.

Go to Torch Fellowship Groups for more information.

TORCH IS HOLIDAYS

- that are designed especially for visually impaired people and offer more opportunity for fellowship. Torch's Holiday and Retreat Centre offers a varied programme of holidays to suit young and old. Torch also runs houseparties at Christian conventions - and holidays abroad too.

Go to Holidays and Retreats for more information.

TORCH IS SOMETHING TO READ

- in braille, giant print, audio and electronic media. Torch publishes six magazines, produces Bibles, hymn books, Scripture text calendars, tactile greeting cards, books and booklets, and operates a large free postal library of Christian books in accessible media.

Go to Literature for more information.

TORCH IS CARING

- responding to the practical needs of visually impaired people, especially in the poorer countries of the world.

TORCH IS WORLDWIDE

- with literature going to 100 countries across the globe. Torch has a focus on Africa and Eastern Europe and has operations in Malawi and Romania.

More information on Torch Trust International.

TORCH IS NON-DENOMINATIONAL

- and seeks to help churches of all types to fully include visually impaired people.

TORCH IS SUPPORTED

- by donation and by prayer. Torch does not run fund raising programmes but relies on faith in God to provide and invites others to pray with us.

Go to Support Torch for more information.

TORCH IS A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION

- a registered charity and a charitable company limited by guarantee.

TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND

has a staff of around 35 people in the UK. One third of the staff are visually impaired, as are half of the Trustees. The main office and production centre is located in Leicestershire. Torch operates a Holiday and Retreat Centre in the scenic Sussex countryside and has an office in Northern Ireland. Around 1000 volunteers from across the UK contribute their time to transcription work, the running of Fellowship Groups and much else.

TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND INTERNATIONAL

is based near Blantyre in Malawi, one of Africa's poorest countries. Here a team of five African staff operate a braille unit producing Bibles and other books in African languages. Around 60 Torch Fellowship Groups meet in villages across the country and through Torch's AID AFRICA programme much is done to help in practical ways.