Pam Downing

The dedication of a volunteer who helping to keep a vital service running for blind and partially sighted people has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by AB Walker.

Pam Downing, Chairperson of Reading’s Talking News (RTN), has been recognised for her decades of committed service to the small, volunteer-run charity, which provides an audio news service for blind and partially sighted residents across the Reading area.

“RTN plays an important role in keeping listeners connected with their local community while helping reduce the social exclusion and isolation many people experience,” said the nominator.

Pam’s nomination highlights not only her long-standing commitment to the charity, but also the insight she brings through her own lived experience of disability and sight impairment.

“As someone who understands the challenges of sight loss first-hand, Pam knows better than many the difference this service makes to people’s lives,” her nominator added.

Earlier this year, RTN faced a major challenge when its long-term studio premises were re-leased to new tenants, leaving the charity in urgent need of a new home.

Pam led a team of volunteers in researching, sourcing and organising the move to new premises at the Salvation Army in Reading. She played a central role in discussions with the new hosts, ensuring the technical and logistical needs of volunteer readers, producers, copiers and listeners could be met.

“Pam’s leadership ensured that the RTN service survived at a time of real uncertainty for a charity with no regular income,” the nominator said.

“Her passion, enthusiasm and resilience have been crucial for the continuation of the RTN service which was first established in 1974. We are very fortunate to have Pam as our Chair.”