Dumbarton Reporter     Tuesday, November 5, 2013

 

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Area’s talking newspaper needs more volunteers

 

By STEPHEN WALSH

 

A VITAL project, which helps the blind and partially sighted people in Dumbarton and the Vale, is calling out for more volunteers to get involved.

Rockvale Rebound is a talking newspaper which delivers local news by recording editions of the Reporter.

The service was started in 1981 by Bobby Simpson MBE, 75, a former butcher who lost his sight in 1978, after being involved in a road accident.

Users sign up for a tape service through which bobby and a group of volunteers deliver newspapers and also a regular magazine.

Now however, Bobby and his team are urging more residents to come forward and help out with the project.

Speaking to the reporter, the 75-year-old says volunteers are instrumental to the work of Rockvale Rebound. He said: “It (volunteering) is absolutely essential. Rockvale Rebound is a totally volunteer-based organisation, and, therefore, we could not operate without those people.

“Volunteers can get a tremendous amount of satisfaction, knowing that they are contributing to a service which is so much valued by visually impaired people in terms of them being able to find out what is going on in their own area. They are also able to meet up with new friends who are like minded.”

The first edition of the paper, which is based in West Bridgend, was released in may of 1981 and sent out to 48 people – by 1985 the service had enough users that a magazine-style tape was introduced to complement the newspaper editions.

Rockvale has been weekly since 1991, and Bobby says the service the charity provides is one that cannot be underestimated. He continued: “The paper provides people with the opportunity to find out about what is taking place within their own area which is something they cannot otherwise do. Regional and national news can be accessed on television or radio, but local news in such a regular and concentrated way is not, so a talking newspaper is most important.”

The service has vacancies on the committee, reading team and a recording technician is also required. Training will be provided and no experience is necessary.

If you would like to get involved, you can contact Bobby on 01389 764096 or visit www.rockvalerebound.org.

Bobby would also like to remind anyone who would like to use the service, it is absolutely free and all they have to do is contact him.