The Talking Newspaper Federation Committee has a maximum of 9 Trustees although a further 3 Trustees can be co-opted for specific tasks. Both elected and co-opted members must be active within a local Talking Newspaper, or connected to an organisation that specialises in the production of audio text or be an Individual Associate Member – all of whom must be members of the Federation. Each member, once their election as a Trustee is ratified at an AGM, serves a 3 year term. After 3 years, they may stand for re-election for another 3 year term if they wish to do so.
Amanda Reed – Chair
Amanda’s relationship with Visual Impairment started at the age of 15 with the Walsall Society for the Blind; here she went on her first work placement from school. After leaving College, Amanda went on to work for SENSE, a National Charity working with Deaf Blind adults, followed by joining the NHS as a Care Manager. She returned to the Walsall Society in January 2006 as the Chief Executive Officer. Over the past 18 years Amanda has made changes in the Society operations, ensuring that it is fit for the future. She Chairs the Committee of the Walsall Talking Newspaper and has been part of the team that has challenged the original format of their Talking Newspaper and supported as it went digital adding a magazine service too. Amanda has served on the TNF committee since November 2012. She is currently the Chair for TNF current supports the committee with strategy.
Vacant – Secretary
If you think you can help us with this vital role, please contact us for more details.
Richard Black – Hon Treasurer
Richard worked in many areas of a major bank for 24 years followed by 12 years with the National Lottery Community Fund. When a reorganisation of the Fund relocated his job to Newcastle upon Tyne in 2007 he left the Fund and worked as a charity consultant until 2015. He is Treasurer of Chelmsford Talking Newspaper and one of their Technical Officers. Since 2014, Richard has been the Treasurer for the Talking News Federation and of three other local charities.
Heather Bolton – TNF Soundings
Heather trained as a journalist on newspapers and worked as a reporter, sub editor and editor for more than a decade. After leaving journalism to study for a master’s degree, she moved to work in senior in-house communications roles and then as a Director for a number of high profile public sector organisations, helping them communicate effectively with the public, stakeholders and Government Ministers. She was a volunteer at Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne Talking Newspaper until moving out of the area in 2020.
Alan Dunderdale – Development
Alan trained as an ambulance man working as First Line (first into emergency situations) where he received training for dealing with all situations, also working with various groups in a training role.
When Alan retired, he met his wife who introduced my to Talking Newspapers. He also started working in a special needs school as a site supervisor in contact with young people.
Alan assisted Burnley TN in the transition from cassettes to USB’s and has held the role with TNF as development lead since 2018.
June D M Little – Engagement Trustee
June is a retired HR Consultant having owned her own company specialising in mergers and acquisitions. During her career, June has held various positions including HR Director, Programme Director and Lead Consultant on major change programmes. Most of her experience has been in the financial sector but she has also worked in the Utilities and IT world. More recently, June has been a school governor for eight years in both Primary and Senior schools and worked with the Local Authority in schools that have been in ‘Special Measures’.
She joined The Cotswold Listener as Administration Manager in October 2018, becoming Chair of Trustees in June 2020, a position she currently holds.
June was elected as a Talking News Federation Trustee in September 2022 with responsibility for recruitment of Trustees.
Luke Howarth – External Engagement
Luke lost his sight in 2015 at the age of 27 when he was involved in a car crash where he also suffered a stroke, leaving him unable to use his right arm. Having enjoyed a successful career, attaining the accolade of the youngest ever Customer Services Manager for Tesco in Burnley, Luke had just embarked upon an accountancy degree. The aftermath of losing his sight was an emotional roller coaster as Luke came to terms with learning how to live his life differently, using his other senses rather than his sight. He used computer technology wherever possible and obviously finds the talk back facility essential. Long cane training also enabled him to venture outdoors with more safety.
Luke now uses his strength to help others cope with blindness, giving motivational speeches and working with the charity Sight Line, to co-ordinate their volunteer network. In his role as a Sight Support Manager, Luke brings sight loss agencies, and organisations such as the Police and University together to ‘Work in Partnership’, ensuring that people with sight loss are not excluded in their local communities.
Daniel White – Technical
Daniel first became aware of Talking Newspapers when he was a child. His Great-Grandma, born in 1899 and living until she was 104, listened to Sheffield Talking News for as long as he can remember. He also remembers seeing her Tapete machine alongside her Compact Cassette Player in later years. When he grew up, Daniel was able to ‘payback’ in some small way by being a Technician at Sheffield Talking News pre-COVID.
With an interest in computers since he was only a few years old, starting with Acorn computers and continuing throughout his education until he received a Bachelor of Science in Computing (with Networks), graduating in 2008 with a Second Class Honours Degree, Upper Division. Since graduating, Daniel has developed his skills further by gaining the Cisco Certified Network Associate, Mikrotik Certified Network Associate, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Admin, VMWare Certified Professional & Apple Certified Technical Coordinator qualifications. His colleagues at work know him as the resident Mac lover and all round Apple fanboy.
Audio Recording and Sound Engineering are both passionate hobbies of Daniel’s and he has worked at many TNF Conferences, making numerous recordings from single voice spoken word, to big bands and Theatre Organs.
