News and What's On

Torch eNews - to receive occasional news updates via email please contact us using info@torchtrust.org

Week of Prayer

Posted: 2nd February 2012 by James Brookman

Join us in Week of Prayer for God’s provision of the finances to meet Torch’s routine expenses, plus enough to support the implementation of Torch’s 5-year plan - a plan that develops our ministry to meet growing need.

Please see the daily guide by clicking here for the pdf version or here for the html version

Worshipping when you have sight loss

Posted: 19th January 2012 by Lin Ball

Worship which truly involves the active participation of blind and partially sighted people together with sighted people is challenging – but is possible! So says David Palmer, Torch’s Regional Leader, who helps facilitate the 100-plus Torch Fellowship Groups around the UK.

He finds that many groups want to spend part of their monthly meeting worshipping together, but coming up with appropriate activities is not easy. So Torch is making available a rich resource of worship activities – completely free online for Torch groups and churches groups in general.

‘You can use the whole programme as presented,’ explains David, ‘But you will more likely want to adapt it to your own group’s situation or take from it one or more items that appeal.’

The activities can best be described as ‘multi-sensory’ – which means they use a number of the senses to add meaning for people with sight loss. And they are appropriate not only for Torch Fellowship Groups but for church groups or other similar gatherings where a dimension of worship is wanted.

‘The aim is to encourage people to be creative in their engagement with the Gospel and fully inclusive of sighted, blind and partially sighted people, enabling everyone to participate in genuinely meaningful worship,’ explains David.

‘And we hope too that that these monthly multi-sensory themed worship ideas might stimulate groups to come up with their own ideas – which we’d love to hear about.’

Each of the themed programmes includes four core concepts: Welcome, Word, Worship and Workshop.

To find the activities, simply click here for the Multi-Sensory Worship Resources for Torch Groups.

Torch at CRE Exeter ... and with free tickets on offer

Posted: 4th January 2012 by Lin Ball

Attention the south west! Torch Trust will be exhibiting at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Exeter this month – and we’re looking forward to seeing many of our supporters and friends from the region coming along to meet us in person on the stand.

CRE Exeter is held on January 25th (10am-5pm) and 26th (10am-4.30pm) at the Westpoint Arena. Some 150 exhibitors are expected, offering everything from puppets to clerical vestments, from church furniture to mission trips. As usual at CRE, there is also a varied programme of seminars and workshops. There is also an opportunity for you to enjoy performances from Oddments Theatre Company, comedian and magician Joe Fisher, the Michael Roberts Band, the Exeter Cathedral Choir and a Taizé worship session. For more details go to: http://www.creonline.co.uk/page.asp?pageid=106

Torch has taken Stand P3 - immediately on the left after you come through the entrance foyer. And we have some complimentary tickets to give away – normally £4 in advance or £6 at the door. If you would like free admission for yourself and your friends, http://cre.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/r/16581C5EA5622F37/6A5A1EBDD5E277893D3F7F9A22A6E02E is the link to click on. See you in Exeter!

Marilyn Marooned!

Posted: 13th December 2011 by Lin Ball

Marilyn Baker, blind presenter of Torch’s weekly radio programme Insight, enters into the festive spirit for a version of Desert Island Discs that we’re calling Marilyn Marooned! The tables are well and truly turned. Instead of asking the questions, Marilyn answers them. Producer Lin Ball takes her through her life story, illustrated by her choice of four pieces of music that are significant to her.

Marilyn, who is chair of trustees for Torch Trust, has a career in singing and song writing that spans 40 years. Although not from a musical family, from the age of five Marilyn was given piano lessons and showed real talent; at 10 at boarding school she asked to play the oboe. She progressed quickly, and famous oboe player Terrence McDonagh offered to give her monthly lessons. She went on to study at the Royal College of Music.

‘Something very significant happened to change the direction of my music career at college,’ explains Marilyn. ‘I met a girl who was an amazing musician. She’d had a difficult life and had become a Christian. Her singing really moved me. I decided that, like her, I wanted to communicate God’s love through my own music. So that’s when I began writing songs. And then I met a pastor who introduced me to a recording company.’

Marilyn’s career took off, and became international. Four decades on, Marilyn is still singing – but usually at smaller events such as retreats or quiet days.

To find out Marilyn’s choice of music to take to a desert island – and the one luxury she would take with her – make a point of tuning in to Insight on Sunday January 8 at 4pm.

Marilyn will also be presenting a Christmas Insight on Sunday December 18, with seasonal music and readings, including some from fellow Christian singer songwriter Michael Card.

Insight is broadcast on Premier Christian Radio. In the London area this is on 1305, 1332 or 1413 MW. Nationally it’s available on DAB, or on Sky Digital 0123, or on Freeview 725.

To listen to recent Insight programmes, go to the Audio Downloads page on this website.

Torch Family News now in large and giant print

Posted: 23rd November 2011 by Lin Ball

We are thrilled to announce that from the Spring 2012 edition we are making Torch Family News – our popular quarterly supporter magazine – available to more readers in a variety of print sizes, with a choice of 17, 20, 25 or 30 point.

‘This is a significant development for Torch,’ said Assistant CEO Andrew Nicholson.

‘We know that many people who are losing their sight benefit from large print – but also their needs change over time. Our IT Leader Paul Wood has been working hard in the innovative area of “print size on demand”. Being able to offer TFN in a variety of sizes is the first public step in being able to serve our readers in this way.’

Andrew is excited about the future possibilities of developing this new technology.

‘We hope this will mean us providing a much more user-led service for many of our readers,’ he said.

‘In due course we will be able to offer this service with other titles in our range of magazines.

‘We’re also looking forward to the time when we are able to go to Christian events such as Spring Harvest and the Keswick Convention and respond to individual requests for the song sheets and other materials in specific type sizes.’ Torch piloted braille and ‘large print on demand’ song sheets in two sizes at these events this year.

Torch has a large number of readers using the Library and subscribing to magazines who find large and giant print an absolute Godsend.

Mrs R of Lancashire said, ‘I am greatly blessed since receiving large print, especially being able to read the Scriptures’.
Mrs A from Yorkshire told us, ‘Thank you for all your kindness and help to me. As I cannot hear a thing and only have a little sight, your large print has meant a lot to me. I have much to thank the Lord for.’
Miss A of Bangor wrote, ‘Thank you so much… It’s so wonderful to have a giant print book I can read.’
Mrs H of Banbridge of County Down in Ireland said, ‘I find the giant print Upper Room Bible notes so helpful. I can concentrate on the words… and it reminds me of the beauty of God’s creation and of my holidays in Scotland.’
Mr E of Saltash wrote, ‘I found these giant print notes most helpful, particularly as it is one of the few items in large and bold enough print for me to be able to read. It has made a huge and positive difference to me.’
Mrs N of Fairford told us, ‘I cannot tell you how good it is to have some giant print notes to read…’
Mrs N of London wrote on behalf of a 96-year-old who is housebound. ‘She loves the giant print books. They are a lifeline for her.’

So here’s the offer we can now make. If you would prefer to read Torch Family News in large print please call 01858 438260 or email info@torchtrust.org. We can send samples of the different print sizes to enable you to make your choice. Please bear in mind that, as with all our large print publications, pictures will not be included. As well as standard print, Torch Family News is also now available – with pictures - as a PDF download or by email.

AWARD TO COUNTER "WEB-SIGHT LOSS"

Posted: 8th November 2011 by Lin Ball

With the adoption of new technology by churches and Christian organisations, blind and partially sighted people are facing an additional struggle: a problem Dr Mike Townsend from Torch Trust has termed ‘web-sight loss’. Dr Townsend judged the Accessibility Award category of Premier Christian Media’s 5th Annual Christian New Media Awards which recognised websites that delivered an exemplary commitment to accessibility.

Presenting the award to Leigh Road Baptist Church of Leigh on Sea in Essex, he said, ‘Jesus was a great communicator. He communicated with all kinds of people. My judging was an interesting journey. But, some of my journeys couldn’t even get started; a real case web-sight loss!’

He continued, ‘The Leigh Road Baptist Church website was excellent. I really know what’s going on. It almost makes me want to move to Leigh-on-Sea!’

Commenting on the awards, Dr Gordon Temple, Chief Executive of Torch Trust questioned whether the Church is grasping the concept of accessibility, pressing that it ought to be second nature to do so.

He said, ‘The gospel is inclusive. Jesus was inclusive - and went out of his way to include people with disabilities.

‘We support this award because it’s important that web and media resources are accessible to all. It should be the norm for the Christian church: a Gospel for all, and a heart for all, because we don’t want to see anyone left out.’

David Elcock, Community Worker for Leigh Road Baptist Church, commenting on the award, said ‘We worked with Ecru.co.uk to create our site, which launched in April of this year. Ecru and LRBC believe the right site is crucial in encouraging people to interact with the church, and were rigorous in their approach to accommodating the real-world needs of people with disabilities.’

You can visit the site for yourself (www.lrbc.org.uk). Let us know what you think! The runner-up site was Bible Reflections (www.bible-reflections.net).

How do you find the Torch website? Visitors to our website have been increasing. In a typical week we can have over 500 visitors from nearly 50 countries!

Reports Andrew Nicholson, Assistant CEO, ‘Many of the visitors come from North America, Australasia and the Indian subcontinent - a truly international reach. Recently 130 visitors in one week wanted information about our Torch Holidays programme for 2012. Quite a few use the Contact Us page to email a question.’

For some, the contact has come about as they search online for resources that may help an older relative losing their sight. Sometimes teachers or ministers want Bibles for blind or partially sighted pupils and church members. And, of course, the website is accessible to visually impaired clients and supporters - some looking to browse the library catalogue; others wanting to read the prayer topics, and some looking to make a donation.

We can keep you up to date with significant items of interest in between issues of Torch Family News if you subscribe to our e-News service, which includes links to the website where you can read about topics in more depth. Over 500 people have already signed up. To subscribe please email info@torchtrust.org or call 01858 438260.

Torch Holidays 2012: the new programme is out!

Posted: 1st November 2011 by Lin Ball

What do the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics have to do with blind and partially sighted people having a great holiday? These 2012 special events are just two of the themes being used imaginatively in next year’s programme of specialist holidays for people with sight loss run by Torch Trust.

There’s no doubt that it can be challenging for anyone with sight loss to have a good holiday. There are often difficulties in finding a venue where specific needs are understood and catered for, and where the programme is fully inclusive. But, year after year, people find Torch Holidays give them satisfaction levels that keep them coming back for more.

The 2012 programme is a good mix of popular favourites and creative new ideas.

New to the programme is a February break featuring lots of colourful stories from Africa, with guest speaker Janet Stafford, Torch’s International Leader. There’ll be a celebration houseparty in June which will revolve around the Queen’s Jubilee. The activity week at the end of June and holiday weeks in July, August and September will all have a focus on the Olympics and Paralympics.

One weekend break which has been successfully pioneered in 2011 will be repeated in both March and November 2012. That’s the Moving Forward weekend, specially designed for people at the start of the sight loss journey.

Perennially favourite holidays with a focus on gardening, London shopping and shows, books, walking, crafts and music all have a place in the 2012 programme. And, of course, learning and sharing from the Bible will feature in holidays at several points in the year, notably at Easter and Christmastime.

Nearly all the holidays take place at the beautiful Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre near Hurstpierpoint in Sussex. But the Torch team will lead two holidays next year at other venues – a stay at the Keswick Convention in the Lake District in July and a holiday in Belgium in September.

Full details are available on the Holidays section of this website. To request an accessible format programme for next year, you can telephone the holiday centre direct on 01273 832282. Or you can email (holidays@ torchtrust.org).

If you are interested in volunteering at our holiday centre, contact Patricia Douglas on 01858 438267 or email volunteers@torchtrust.org to find out more.

Listening and Learning - Our Church Survey Results

Posted: 24th October 2011 by Lin Ball

What are the challenges and encouragements facing churches wanting to get alongside people with sight loss, to include them and use their gifting? And what about Torch - how well are we doing at reaching out?

Over the summer, these and many other questions came under the microscope in the national Torch church survey. Now, after a fantastic response from church leaders all over the country, we’re able to share the answers. The summary report of the survey results is now live on the Foursight for the Church Torch website.

Charlotte Temple, who co-ordinated the survey, said, ‘One of the most exciting things about the findings is just how interested people are in getting involved with the needs of blind and partially sighted people. As a result of doing this survey, we’ve made plenty of new contacts. We’ve already started getting in touch with people to start building relationships.

‘We really hope that the results will provoke thought, discussion and action in churches around the country.’

Dr Gordon Temple, Chief Executive of Torch, said, ‘This survey report is an encouraging confirmation that Torch is heading in the right direction. Our plans to develop our resources and increase how we work in local communities are really affirmed by what we see in these findings.’

Do take a minute to read through the survey summary at www.torchtrust.org/smartweb/foursight/Church%20Survey%20Results If you’d like to comment, you can email us at info@torchtrust.org

Peter White on the joys of taking risks

Posted: 6th October 2011 by Lin Ball

‘Blind people need both specialist support and integration – they are not alternatives.’ That was the keynote message from broadcasting personality Peter White, the President of the Talking News Federation, speaking to their annual conference of almost 200 delegates held recently in Peterborough.

Peter recalled that when the popular BBC Radio 4 disability programme ‘In Touch’ started up 50 years ago there was a lot of opposition – much of it from blind people who resisted the idea of being ‘set apart.’

But, when Peter started pursuing a career in radio, though he would have preferred to be offered mainstream programmes, he realised, ‘it was silly to reject the idea of being involved in specialist programmes for disabled people.’

‘There needs to be some ring-fenced programming for disabled people because covering disability in the mainstream programmes means not enough depth.’

Peter said that his personal confidence, which many people remark on, is largely due to the attitude of his parents. He described being the younger of two blind brothers as ‘a good deal’.

‘My parents were brave enough to let us try everything – and they practised first on my brother, who was physically very able and with a good sense of direction.’

Peter recalled some hair-raising scenes from his childhood when his brother would be cycling in the streets around home, pulling Peter on a skateboard attached by rope along behind him and creating havoc in the neighbours’ gardens.

‘When I went to special school in Worcester, I was again encouraged in risk-taking – so different to today’s risk-averse practices,’ he said. He remembered, aged 12, being run over by a lorry – and the almost casual note from the school informing his parents of his ‘brush’ with the vehicle!

The TNF chair, Mike Wood, encouraged the talking news volunteers to embrace the new technology now available. Using USB/memory sticks meant that weekly output need not be limited to 90 minutes, he said, so there was scope to open up the world to blind people. And he pointed out that there may be others in the community who would benefit from receiving a talking newspaper, such as stroke victims.

A team from Torch Trust were given a warm welcome at the conference. It was an opportunity to promote Journey, the four-minute thought for the week that the organisation has been piloting since January. This audio download is available from the downloads page of this website, free of charge, for talking newspapers, blind clubs and Torch Fellowship Groups.

Lin Ball, producer of Journey, said, ‘It was great to be at the conference with so many volunteers committed to making a difference to the lives of thousands of blind and partially sighted people around the UK. We hope that many more teams will understand the need not only to inform blind people about what’s going on in their localities, but to give them an opportunity to reflect for a few minutes on their spiritual and emotional wellbeing through listening to Journey.’

For more information about talking newspapers go to www.tnf.org.uk

FLYING START FOR NEW-LOOK FELLOWSHIP GROUP IN HOTEL

Posted: 27th September 2011 by Lin Ball

When one Torch Fellowship Group’s blind guests were dwindling, they did a little lateral thinking – and came up with a new idea for a group that’s got off to a flying start. Although the Llandudno TFG in North Wales had a good number of sighted helpers, their blind and partially sighted members had dropped to a handful. How could they contact more? There’s no blind club in the town.

Then they realised that the local Belmont Hotel offered a new opportunity for growth. The Belmont, in a prime position overlooking Llandudno Bay, is owned by the Royal Blind Society and has been providing specialist holiday accommodation for visually impaired people and their families and friends for over 25 years.

The TFG, under the leadership of Roselyn Barnes, approached the hotel with the suggestion that they could run a monthly service at the hotel which would not only cater for the group members but be open to hotel guests. The hotel welcomed the idea and the first meeting got off to a good start.

‘The Belmont is just across town and has up to 40 guests each week, many of whom would be visually impaired and possibly not Christians,’ said Roselyn.

‘Perhaps here was the opportunity we were missing. We stopped our own meetings and now plan to go to Belmont once a month on a Sunday afternoon and take our own blind folk with us.

‘There were five Belmont guests there on our first Sunday and four of our own, as well as the committee and the speaker and his wife. A blessed time was had by all!’

The next meeting is planned for October 16th.

Torch Regional Leader David Palmer said, ‘This is just the kind of innovative approach we like to hear about. It’s great to hear of groups adapting to new ways of doing things to suit local circumstances and a changing world.’