FAQ about CATN

Chichester Area Talking News?

The local newspaper and magazine on tape for the blind and partially sighted. Registered Charity No. 273279

We can be contacted at:

Chichester Area Talking News

St. Richard's Hospital, 

Chichester, 

West Sussex P019 4SE

Tel: (01243) 775050           E-mail: mailto:studio@catn.org.uk     

Most of us rely on our local newspaper to keep in touch with what is happening in and around the area in which we live, providing information which does not reach us by means of television or radio. This is the really local news from which the visually impaired are completely cut off unless they happen to have a relative or friend who can spare the time to read to them regularly. The "talking newspaper" fills this gap, and plays an important role in helping to restore their independence as well as creating the opportunity for them to continue to take an active interest in the community.

How is the Chichester Area Talking News produced?
A production team, including a producer, readers, contributors and a technical operator, gathers at the Talking News studio at St. Richard's Hospital Chichester. The programme is recorded on to a computer and copied onto cassettes and CD's. These are then inserted into special wallets and posted free of charge to our listeners who play them on their cassett or CD players - in other words "the newspaper they cannot read".

How often does it go out?
Chichester Area Talking News is distributed fortnightly and is a 60-minute programme.

What does the programme provide?
The main content is a round-up of local news and features taken from the Chichester Observer, Bognor Regis Observer, and the Midhurst and Petworth Observer. Also included are an information desk, special items behind the news, and features on gardening, nature and fashion.

What happens when the listener has finished with the tape?
He or she puts the cassette or CD and the personal address label into the wallet, and drops this into the nearest post box. It is returned free of charge to the studio. The recording is then erased from the tape and made ready for the next edition.

CATN Magazine?
In addition to the newspaper, there is a quarterly  magazine INSIGHT of 75 minutes' duration containing articles of general and local interest.

What area does Chichester Area Talking News cover?
Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and Petworth areas - from the coastal towns and villages as far north to Haslemere, east to Middleton-on-Sea and west to Emsworth.

How to become a listener?
Chichester Area Talking News has a team of Area Helpers to introduce our service to new listeners and to look after the needs of existing listeners.

If you are not already a listener and would like an Area Helper to contact you, or if you know of a friend or relative who would benefit from our talking newspaper, please write or email us and include the following details:

Name, Address, Post Code and Telephone number

Write to: Chichester Area Talking News St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester, West Sussex P019 4SE

E-mail us at: mailto:studio@catn.org.uk

How you can help us in our work?
Donations are a very welcome source of urgently needed money. If you are able to make a donation, however small, your gift would be very much appreciated. If you would like to find out about being a volunteer please write or e-mail us with your details and and we will get back to you. Our contact details are at the top of this page.

How many listeners does it serve?
When it was first distributed in 1975 it went to 42 blind and partially-sighted people. Today the postal distribution is in excess of 500. Edited versions of the Chchester Area Talking News programmes can also be heard on Chichester Hospital Radio via the ward bedside radio unit on channel 11 and on any medium wave radio by tuning to 1431AM.

How much does the service cost?
The service is free and all help is voluntary.

How is the money raised? 

By annual fundraising events and through donations.

Membership? 

Membership is open to all visually impaired people. All listeners, and volunteers working for the association, are automatically members of the Talking News. There is no subscription, but donations are always welcome.

Why does Chichester Area Talking News need money? 

To provide an efficient and centralised headquarters complete with top-quality equipment for recording, duplicating, and administration. Funds are also needed to meet the cost of replacing cassettes, CD's and wallets and for office maintenance.