Official logo of BDAN
Bedford Talking Newspaper
for the Blind (BDAN)
Registered UK charity no. 802814

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How to Get Involved with B.D.A.N.


Revised: January 2012

Quick in-page links:

- Become a listener - click here

- Prospective volunteers - click here

- Donating money or equipment to BDAN - click here

- Talks, Publicity and Media enquiries - click here

- Feedback, former members and the AGM - click here

- Key facts about BDAN - click here

- Contact details for any enquiries - click here



Might you, or someone you know, benefit from BDAN's free tapes or USB sticks?* A relative, friend or neighbour with sight problems or a disability that makes holding a newspaper difficult?

* USB sticks are small digital storage devices, also known as pen, thumb, flash or memory drives or discs

Do you have a spare two to three hours every few weeks?

Would you like to give something back to your local community and meet new people in the process?

Are you interested in audio recording and production?
(no previous experience required)

Are you as an individual, business or organisation looking for a truly local charity to assist?

If you answered "Yes" to one or more of the above questions, then why not make contact with BDAN - Bedford and District Audio News - the Talking Newspaper for the Bedford area, UK.



A picture of volunteers, listeners and members of the public enjoying a hearty fundraising meal at Biddenham Village Hall

Volunteers, listeners and members of the public alike, enjoy good company, warm weather and fine fare at the charity's second annual summer lunch and raffle at Biddenham, a few miles east of Bedford, in 2005




Listeners


BDAN tapes and USB sticks* currently reach around 200 people, but there are an estimated 1,000 other residents in and around Bedford who could also benefit from the free service! Do you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving the cassettes / sticks? Young or old, BDAN material is suitable for all.

* USB sticks are small digital storage devices, also known as pen, thumb, flash or memory drives or discs


Most current listeners live locally - in north and mid Bedfordshire - but some are located further afield, across the UK. These listeners have a link or association with Bedford, but for any number of reasons now live elsewhere.

If you, or someone you know, is blind or partially sighted and who would like to keep up to date with news from Bedford - no matter where you / they live in the UK - please make contact with BDAN.

Don't worry if you, or the person you are enquiring for, already subscribes to a free Talking Newspaper, you / they will be able to take BDAN material as well - also, free of charge.

A digital copy of BDAN news is available on this website, and can be accessed for free by anyone. Qualifying listeners making use of this method are advised to make contact with BDAN so that their birthday can be included on the appropriate week!


Introductory Tape

All new listeners receive a specially recorded 30 minute Introductory cassette. The tape provides a welcome to BDAN, with information about the service and its history. Also included are includes handy tips on avoiding common playback problems, such as: 		Image showing two readers and a technician in the studio at the recording of a new Introductory cassette, February 2007

Above: Recording an Introductory tape in February 2007

1) Making sure the tape isn't slack or sticking out of the cassette before playback
2) That the USB stick is fully inserted into the slot
3) That the player is correctly powered with volume adjusted
4) For tapes, that the record or pause buttons are not accidentally depressed

Unlike the weekly tape - which should be returned within several days - listeners may keep the Introductory tape until they are confident with the news tape process.


A picture showing a BDAN listener in the 1980s

A listener prepares to play his weekly Audio News cassette at home in the 1980s
The charity prides itself on the quality, friendliness and speed of its service





A photograph of listener, Vera Rust, with her raffle prize winnings - a basket of fruit and a box of chocolates. Other event attendees are pictured behind, with pink carnations in the foreground

Vera Rust, a BDAN listener since the very first tape in 1978, with her winning raffle prizes at the 2008 autumn lunch, held at Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford








Volunteering


The charity is always interested to hear from prospective volunteer members and / or supporters. There are numerous roles available, from technical to administrative, reading to fundraising. In fact, some volunteers undertake a variety of tasks.

Reading is be the most popular task, but have you considered the role of mixing the sound and copying the tapes, or maybe sorting the returned wallets from the previous week, or how about helping on the committee - there are only four scheduled meetings per year. All these tasks and more are vital to the effective operation of BDAN. And you can always change your job or do more than one task.

Organising - Preparing - Reading - Recording - Copying

There is no charge or annual membership fee to join. BDAN is an equal opportunities charity - people of all backgrounds are welcome, and locally born and bred just as much as those who have moved to the area.
(Please note: the charity normally suggests a minimum age of 18 years for volunteers)

Do you have experience of any of the following...

- Working for another Talking Newspaper group
- Audio recording
- Sound mixing (for example, at a church or local theatre event)
- Reading to others or public speaking
- Fundraising or committee work
- Electronics
- Desktop publishing or marketing?

If not, in fact whatever skills you possess, you are equally welcome to make contact as any necessary training can be provided.


Portrait photograph of Dennis Craddock holding a collecting tin in front of a BDAN stall A photograph of three volunteers sorting returned tapes in the studio

There's more to BDAN than reading news:
Above: Volunteers checking returned cassettes and wallets, and left: promoting the charity



Starter tips for new readers

Prospective readers are normally invited to attend an initial informal meeting at the studio some days ahead of a first recording session.

Reading in front of a microphone can be daunting at first. Hopefully the new volunteer will quickly find his / her feet with the support of the Team Leader and other members.

Past new volunteers have found the following advice useful:
- Be yourself
- Try not to read too quickly or too slowly
- Check articles through ahead (for mistakes and pronunciation)
- Mention accompanying photographs with the text, if relevant
- A glass of water is useful to prevent a dry throat (tap water - as well as lavatory facilities - are available in the studio building)

To hear a weekly Audio News edition, go to the Listen page on this site. Other audio clips are available on the Meet Volunteers page


Two BDAN volunteers shown packing cassettes into pouches ready for dispatch



BDAN volunteers in the 1980s - packing cassette pouches ready to send to listeners







If you would like to be involved with the production of weekly news tapes / sticks on a regular basis - and a suitable vacancy occurs - all you need do is to be able to spare a couple of hours every six weeks. There is also a small 'pool' of standby volunteers, who can be called upon if a team has a temporary vacancy - for example, if a regular reader, sorter or technician cannot attend a session.

Many volunteers find relief duties a useful way to begin - working with any of the six different teams as needed.

New recordist / technicians are encouraged to 'shadow' an existing operator for at least one session before recording an edition on their own.



Newsletter

Members and supporters also receive a free thrice-yearly newsletter with information about the charity's fundraising and social events. The publication can be sent by email or post.




Donations - Personal, Organisation and Business


As well as giving your time, another way to support BDAN is through a monetary donation. Large or small, any such gift is very much appreciated.

BDAN is a registered charity (no. 802814) but recieves no money from the UK Government or the National Lottery. The basic recording equipment requires regular maintenance to keep it in full working order. And of course there are replacement cassettes and pouches to purchase and rent to pay for the studio space.

From a few pence in a home collecting tin, to a regular gift, or an amount of money in a will or legacy, if you are looking for a local cause to support, then why not consider Bedford and District Audio News?


Feedback from a listener (2007) which reads: 'Many Thanks'
Left: Feedback received from a BDAN listener






If your business or organisation requires further information or would like to make a corporate donation, please do make contact.

Please note however, BDAN is unable to provide commercial advertising on its tapes, promotional literature or website.



Collecting Boxes

The charity can supply collection tins on request. Perhaps you have a growing amount of copper coinage that you do not know what to do with. Why not have a BDAN collecting box to remedy the problem?!

Bedford and District Audio News is also registered with HM Government for Gift Aid. If you are a UK taxpayer paying Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax, the charity can currently reclaim 28 pence for every £1.00 (GBP) you donate in a tax year. For a Gift Aid Declaration form, contact BDAN.



Donating Equipment or Services

If your company or business could offer the charity a service or item of equipment for free, please get in touch. From old recording or broadcast equipment, to small items of furniture or help with, for example, printing or photocopying.
Sadly however, the charity cannot accept - for technical reasons - an offer of spare, used or unused, audio cassettes.



Cash For Cartridges
Recycle and help Bedford's Talking Newspaper!

BDAN has entered into an agreement with a company to collect and recycle used inkjet printer cartridges made by Hewlett Packard (HP) and Lexmark.

Bedford and District Audio News will receive £1.00 (GBP) for every cartridge submited! If you, or any friends or family are UK residents and would like to participate - especially if you or they work where a substantial number of cartridges are used (!) - please get in touch with the Chairman (contact details below) for Freepost envelopes from the company. The process shouldn't cost you a penny, helps the environment, and supports BDAN at the same time! Why not have a look to see if you have any old HP or Lexmark cartridges?



 An image showing two BDAN volunteers standing behind a small table with BDAN display boards behind
Left: promoting the charity - manning the charity's stall at a disability awareness event at the Harpur Suite, Bedford, 2006



Talks, Press and Publicity


If your society, club, school, college, business, lunch / supper club or fundraising group would like to support Bedford and District Audio News, why not get in touch. The charity may be able to offer a free speaker or representative with a stall.

If your business, shop, library, school, GP surgery, community centre or church require a supply of our free promotional leaflets and / or posters, do ask.

Requests to mention or establish a weblink to the BDAN site, should be made via the contact details below. No part of the site (including photographs and audio files) should be copied to another medium (including a website) without permission.

If you are a member of the press or a broadcasting organisation, the charity will endeavour to assist by providing copy or information and / or an interviewee / spokesperson. Please contact the Chairman in the first instance, and as far in advance as possible.



Feedback and AGM


The charity welcomes feedback about its activities, recordings and website. If you have any comments, suggestions, questions or queries, please make contact.

BDAN holds an Annual General Meeting each spring (usually May). Listeners, volunteers, donors and members of the public and press are all welcome to attend. Motions for debate and nominations for Committee positions must be made in advance to the Secretary (who can be contacted via the details below).



Data Protection


All personal information is stored securely and details are never given to third parties unless specifically requested by the individual listener or volunteer concerned.



Former Helpers or Listeners


If you are a former member, supporter or listener (or a relative or carer of such a person) and you have copies of old BDAN recordings, cine film or video, photographs, papers, publicity material, information or indeed memories that you would like to share with / loan the charity, please get in touch.
Getting Involved - Key Facts


Listeners:
Blind, partially sighted or physically disabled - specifically in and around Bedford, but anywhere in the UK

News / Newspapers used:
Bedford's Times and Citizen and Bedfordshire on Sunday

Format and length of material:
60 mins (90 mins for Magazine). Available on either:
Standard audio tape cassette
or
USB stick (small digital storage devices, also known as pen, thumb, flash or memory drives or discs)

Weekly news edition also available to download from this website

Language of output:
English

Cost to receive:
No charge. Service is free

BDAN Funding
Donations and volunteer work. BDAN is a registered charity

Age range of listeners:
All ages

Number of listeners:
Currently around 200

Volunteer jobs available:
Various - including sorting tapes / sticks, collecting mail sacks, fundraising, reading articles and technical operation.
All unpaid volunteer posts

Experience required (for volunteers):
None - anything relevant is a bonus

Annual fee to join as a volunteer helper:
No charge. Membership is free

Time required:
No minimum. Mostly several hours every six weeks or so if a regular volunteer. Less if a standby helper or other supporter

Day of recording:
Usually a Thursday evening for the weekly news, between 6.30pm and around 9.0pm. Magazine readers recorded separately, and times arranged on an individual basis

Number of volunteers:
Currently around 60

Age range of volunteers:
Usually over 18 years of age

Cost of a BDAN speaker / presentation (for an event):
No charge. Collection for the charity welcomed

Social Opportunites:
Fundraising events, meal for committee members, individual meals / get togethers as / if arranged by weekly reading teams



An image showing three smiling volunteers sitting at a table in the studio, checking returned tapes and USB memory sticks against the master register of listeners

Volunteers at work in the small BDAN studio, October 2011

Contacting the charity


How to get in touch with B.D.A.N.

Contact the Chairman, David Mitchell

e-mail: contact@bdan (dot) org (dot) uk
(Please add 'BDAN ENQUIRY' in the subject heading)

or telephone: 01234 218989
(Answerphone available)


BDAN aims to respond to all messages within several working days. However, in the unlikely event that you have not heard back within two weeks, please call or email your message again, as it is likely a technical problem has occurred. Please don't forget to add 'BDAN ENQUIRY' in your email subject heading.

Please mention this website
when you make contact by 'phone or email!





For details of other Talking Newspaper groups
and other local and national websites and services,
please see Links - accessed via the Index page


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