Following a successful career as a Sound Designer in the film and TV industry, 58-year-old Hugh was ready to take a step back from full-time work.
He has always had a passion for technology and community service and when he stumbled upon an opportunity to combine these interests through a volunteer role, he didn’t hesitate to get involved.
Hugh discovered Fareport Talking News, an organisation dedicated to recording and distributing news for visually impaired individuals in Fareham and Gosport, through our Volunteer First website that matches volunteers with organisations in need.
Once a month, on a Friday, Hugh commutes from Bournemouth to Stubbington, a journey that takes him about an hour each way. Despite the distance, Hugh is committed to his role at Fareport Talking News.
“My main responsibilities include managing the technical aspects of the recording sessions, editing dialogue, and creating a master USB. This master USB is then duplicated and sent out to over 100 clients, ensuring that visually impaired individuals stay informed with the latest news.
“I work closely with Chair-Person Suzy, the editor and news readers – I have only been volunteering for six months so I’m still learning the ropes!”
Hugh expressed his amazement at how established Fareport Talking News is as an organisation. He was particularly impressed with their dedication and the impact they have on the community. “It’s lovely that an organisation is doing something like this, and impressive that it has been going since 1995.” Hugh said.
Fareport Talking News relies heavily on volunteers like Hugh to operate effectively. The service it provides is invaluable to the visually impaired community, offering them a way to stay connected with current events. Hugh’s contributions help ensure the quality and reliability of the news recordings, directly benefiting the people who depend on these updates.