Reflections from Torch Trust

Why is Sight Loss Sunday Important? And what are some easy steps churches can take to become more inclusive for blind and partially sighted congregation members? In this edition of Reflections we answer these questions through a reflection by Vicki Bryson and a feature by James Brookman about how one man has implemented audio description […]

All blind people are music geniuses, possess an extraordinary sense of hearing and smell, and live pretty terrible lives. At least that’s what common myths would have you believe. Marilyn Baker and Sheila Armstrong tackle these myths in a light hearted conversation with inputs from Jan Turner, long-term friend and former staff at Torch. We […]

In this episode, Torch CEO Sarah Dawkins talks to producer Linn Davies about an article she wrote for Pure Magazine. In the article Linn shared an experience of having unwanted prayers of healing forced on her when she asked for prayers for her terminally ill mum. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, […]

According to the Anglican Calendar, we’re currently in ordinary time, meaning there’s no celebratory events going on. So this could be the perfect opportunity to spend more time with God’s word. In this episode we’re giving you a taster of the different Bible reading notes produced by torch Trust, as well as another instalment in […]

Inspired by our series on artificial intelligence, audio production coordinator James Brookman gives us us an insight into the AI voices behind some of the Torch audiobooks and how he tests their quality. He also reflects on how AI can never know and love us the way God can. And though it’s nice to always […]

In the sixth and final episode of our series focusing on AI, we thought it was time for the AI to take the microphone, so Linn Davies sat down to interview Chat GPT. They discuss why AI makes up things that isn’t true, ways to use AI creatively, and whether AI can ever replace humans. […]

In the fifth episode of our series on AI, we speak to Richard Powell who works with technology and rehabilitation for the disability charity Henshaw’s in Greater Manchester. He shares how AI has changed what rehabilitation looks like, and some fascinating examples of how his clients are using AI to better advocate for themselves, as […]

In part four of our series on AI, we sit down to talk to Reverend Canon Tim Bull about AI in a Christian context. He shares how AI has been adopted by the church, his thoughts on AI verses human creativity and on whether Jesus would use AI if he was here today? To contact […]

This week we continue the conversation between Hayley Boston and Linn Davies about more ways AI is assisting them in their daily lives, as well as some of their future speculations on how AI might evolve in the future. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In the second instalment of our AI Series, Linn Davies is in conversation with Hayley Boston. They’re both blind from birth and share how they use AI in some surprisingly practical ways. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In the first episode of our six part Series on artificial intelligence, we hear from AI expert Mary Kemp. Mary breaks down the different types of AI, and shares the various ways AI is being used today as well as some future potential uses. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 […]

Sunday 21st June is Father’s Day in the UK and we’re hearing from Mark Chester founder of Who Let The Dads Out, who’s providing some thoughts for us around being a dad. Plus, we’ve got the second part of our conversation with former double paralympian Darren Harris, who was one of the most capped players […]

Our guest this week is Darren Harris; a double paralympian who has 10 world and european medals to his name, and was capped over 150 times for the England Blind Football Side – so who better to chat to as the World Cup football tournament gets underway?! Darren chats to us about his career in […]

In this week’s edition of Reflections, Torch’s resources Curator Janette Sturgis recommends some of the latest arrivals in the Torch library. Marilyn reflects on the Bible story of Gideon, and in this thought of the week, James Brookman tells us a funny story about an inscription on a gravestone. To contact Torch Trust with any […]

For Volunteer Week, we’re talking to Samuel Wilkins who edits and narrates audiobooks for Torch. Samuel talks about how he got into working with audiobooks, challenges with audiobook productions as a totally blind person, and shares how some narrators prepare their voices before reading to sound as good as possible. To contact Torch Trust with […]

In this special Pentecost edition, Marilyn talks about what and who The Holy Spirit is, shares how The Holy Spirit has been working in her life, and we also visit the scriptures and hear a sermon from Torch’s Vicki Bryson about how Pentecost is relevant to us today. To contact Torch Trust with any comments […]

This week we’re featuring an interview with Anne Phipps who has an interesting story both with regards to losing her sight as well as evolving from an Evangelical Christian to enjoying a faith where she finds comfort in not always having all the answers. The episode is part of the Blind Faith podcast also from […]

In part two of Linn’s conversation with comedian and magician Tom Elliott and singer Charlie Green, we dive deeper into Charlie’s story. He talks about coming to the public’s attention on Britain’s Got Talent aged eleven and how his journey has continued from there. Tom and Charlie also give more information about their upcoming Feeling […]

This episode features the first part of an interesting conversation with comedian and magician Tom Elliott, and singer and former BGT finalist Charlie Green. In part one, we hear how Tom came to do comedy full time and how the two performers compliment each other. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call […]

In this episode we meet Minister Jeryl Bayona, who is passionate about disability inclusion in the church, both due to his lived experience with a congenital eye condition and being the father of a non-verbal autistic child. Jeryl shares how he never set out to be a minister, differences of working in the UK and […]

In this edition of Reflections, Marilyn reflects on God’s impeccable timing and the deeper meaning of grace. We also hear from people who attend the Torch coffee morning and why they enjoy it. And for those who are unable to come in person, there is also one happening on Zoom To contact Torch Trust with […]

In this Episode, we join musician Kate Risdon as she goes on a tactile tour of Peterborough Cathedral and in Thought Of The Week, we hear Iain Lackie’s reflection on busyness. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

Easter is the biggest act of forgiveness there ever was, in that Jesus atoned for our sins. So in this Easter edition, we focus on stories of forgiveness and new beginnings. We hear reflections from some Torch staff, an interview with audio producer Elliott Frisby about forgiving his dad as well as forgiving himself, and […]

Good Friday is an important day in the Christian calendar. So in this edition, we talk to Iain Lackie, who came to faith on Good Friday, and we reflect on why keeping the good in Good Friday makes sense, despite it being a painful day for those who live it as well as what it […]

This Palm Sunday edition explores the kind of king Jesus was through Bible readings and reflections. The fact that he came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey suggests that he represented servitude and humility, very different qualities to what’s normally associated with a ruler. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 […]

In this episode we hear a fascinating conversation between Marilyn and her ministry partner Tracy about how they work together when one is deaf and the other is blind. Author Emily Owen also talks about why she chose to learn sign language when she became deaf. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, […]

This week we’re marking Mothering Sunday and looking at some of the mothers who are featured in the Bible. We’ll also hear some poetry and of course have a Thought for the Week too. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In this edition of Reflections, we hear from author Alex Banwell, as she talks about her life, her writing, and the themes explored in her books Just Benny and Releasing Janet. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In this edition of Reflections, we hear more about the Passion for Life initiative, as Torch CEO Sarah Dawkins speaks to evangelist and author Rico Tice about its vision and purpose. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

This week we revisit a selection of Marilyn’s reflections, exploring faith, hope and everyday life. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In honour of Valentine’s Day on the 14th, we’re exploring how weddings can be made more accessible and sight loss friendly with the help of two people who speak from experience: Niall, who got married 5 years ago and is visually impaired, and Linn who got married 4 years ago and is blind.

The 08th of February in 2026 marks Autism Sunday, and this week on Reflections we chat with the Sensory Healthy Church about how they’re helping churches become more accessible for those living with sensory conditions like Autism and ADHD. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

We’re covering plenty in this week’s edition of Reflections, including hearing about some new technology for those living with sight loss to help them access live events, we’ve got the latest news on Torch Holidays which are taking place in 2026, and we’ll be marking national story telling week with a quick catch up with […]

On Reflections this week, we’re going to hear the testimony of Doctor Trevor Stammers, a man of science, an expert in medical ethics, and a GP on the verge of total burnout, who in conversation with Mark Maddavan, shares the story of how in a single hour his world went dark, lost his sight, but […]

We’ve reached the middle of January, when Christmas seems like a distant memory, and spring is still far away. So in this episode, we speak to opera singer and psycho therapist Victoria Oruwari who gives us some tips on how to find joy in the middle of the heart of the winter. To contact Torch […]

Most of us has felt that God can seem far away sometimes, no matter where we are on our faith journey. In this episode, we hear from Torch CEO Sarah Dawkins who talks about how we can hold on to a bigger truth, that God is always with us no matter what. And Marilyn Baker […]

In the first 2026 edition of Reflections, we dive into the journey of the three magi through a poem and a creative piece by our late friend and former Chair Of Trustees, Dr. Mike Townsend. Coptic Christmas is taking place the day after Epiphany. And we also hear from Phil Hanna about how itis celebrated. […]

In the final 2025 episode of Reflections, we revisit some of our favourite moments throughout the year. They include the new Torch initiatives, The Hopes Project and The Chaplaincy Service, the interview with deaf author and music lover Emily Owen, the Sound without Sight project, The Assante Twi Braille Bible and the amazing Beech Band […]

In this Christmas Day Special, we journey to Nigeria, Sweden and Norway to hear how Christmas is celebrated there. We hear the Nativity reading from Luke 2 1-20, Catherine Campbell’s Christmas day reflection from her book Journey With Me Through Christmas and we hear from visitors to Sight Village London about what Christmas means to […]

On the final Sunday in Advent, churches around the world light the candle that symbolises love. In this episode we hear from Catherine Campbell, the author of Journey With Me Through Christmas as she reflects on who has shown her Christlike love and what love in action looks like to her. We also talk about […]