HEREFORDSHIRE residents with sight loss are being encouraged to take up the offer of a free radio from a charity.

British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) provides specially adapted radios on a permanent free loan basis to those who meet its criteria.

The charity supports people across the whole of the UK, but the uptake of the sets has not been as high as it could be in the Herefordshire area.

BWBF audio sets are durable, reliable and versatile and there are digital and FM radios which play CDs, Daisy CDs, cassette tapes and USB memory sticks.

They are particularly useful for anyone receiving library and Talking Books and magazine services in a variety of formats.

The specially adapted sets are delivered in person by a fully-trained, DBS-checked volunteer, who will also demonstrate how it works and answer any questions

Regional development manager for the area David Loveridge said: "Currently there's a low uptake of our free modified sets in Herefordshire.

"We'd like to encourage anyone who has a visual impairment to get in touch with us.

"We'd also like to encourage anyone who cares for someone with a visual impairment - either a community worker, volunteer, friend and/or family member - to contact us.

"The sets we provide are very robust and because of the adaptations made to them, they are very useful for anyone with any type of sight loss. They have exceptional sound quality and utilise strong colour contrast to help those with residual vision distinguish the controls. The buttons also have tactile symbols on and are well spaced to help the user differentiate between them.

"Often blind people can feel lonely and isolated but a specially modified audio set from us can greatly help this by providing a lifeline to the world."

The charity is also hoping to recruit some volunteers in the area, to help with distributing and setting up the radios for people who qualify for them.

Those who sign up will be asked to travel around Herefordshire, so having your own transport is essential but full travel expenses will be paid.

Volunteers will be visiting blind and partially sighted people in their homes, installing their new radio and teaching them how to use it, as well as providing on-going support - all of which the charity will train you to do.

For more information, or if you would like to inquire about receiving a free modified radio, please contact Mr Loveridge on 07540 724064 or email david@blind.org.uk