LISTENERS to the talking newspaper will be able to hear the thoughts of the Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson in this week’s edition.

The charity provides a weekly recording of the news and other messages for local people with sight problems.

An army of 50 volunteers provide the service which has been running for more than three decades and Mr Tomlinson, the MP for Swindon North, dropped in to the group's Victoria Road headquarters on Tuesday to meet some of them.

Mike Wood, who is in his second stint as chairman of the organisation, said the visit was an important show of support.

He said: “It is a proud moment. It shows we have support and particularly with his new role. It demonstrates that these services are needed.

“Visits like these are a big boost for smaller charities not just in Swindon but across the UK.”

As well as interviews, the talking newspaper which is sent out every Friday, has articles from the Adver, excerpts from other charities as well as other information which might be needed.

Mike said: “We help blind and partially sighted people in the Swindon area by producing an audio recording of news, information and entertainment.

“We have around 190 listeners a week and the recording, which is about two hours long, is sent on a memory stick. We also lend out players for the memory sticks that are simple to operate than the old cassettes and the quality is far better.

“We started in 1982 and then became a weekly service in 1987. We get good feedback from the listeners. If for some reason people do not have their stick by Saturday then our answer phone is full. It’s nice though to know it is needed.”

Mr Tomlinson said: “I was excited to visit this fantastic charity. It is an important service they provide to their 190 users and it’s a real privilege that I will be a small part of it this week. I am full of admiration for the work being done by the brilliant volunteers which make all this possible.

“From my experience it is the smaller charities like this which make the most difference because they are able to focus everything on making a difference to people’s lives. In Swindon we have many organisations carrying out great work because of the volunteers we have.”

Anyone is interested on receiving the talking newspaper or volunteering with the charity call 01793 522511 or visit www.swindontalkingnews.org.uk.