Visually-impaired book lovers are to have the chance to discuss their passion with other readers face-to-face for the first time in 18 months, when a series of audio book club group returns to meeting in person, following the relaxation of Covid restrictions.
Vision Norfolk runs seven audio book clubs around the county, and during the pandemic they have had to be held on Zoom – but now three of them are returning to face-to-face meetings, with the remaining clubs set to do so in the near future.
The announcement was made on National Reading Groups Day (14th September), with meetings set to take place in Great Yarmouth on 24th September, Gaywood on 7th October and in Norwich on 11th October.
The remaining four audio book clubs run by the charity, in Dereham, Fakenham, Cromer and Diss, will remain online for the time being.
Vision Norfolk leisure activities co-ordinator Mark Smith said, “Our audio book clubs have been really popular over the years, not just to share a love of literature, but also as an important social occasion for visually-impaired people, who can sometimes find themselves isolated.
“We have continued the clubs on Zoom during lockdown which has been great, but there is no substitute for meeting in person, and we are delighted that we are at last able to start doing so with some of the clubs.”
Members of Vision Norfolk’s audio book clubs are supplied with the month’s audio book on a CD or USB stick. Membership, and the loan of the audio books, is free, thanks to Norfolk County Council funding.
The Great Yarmouth and Gaywood clubs will meet in the local library, while the Norwich club will meet at the charity’s Bradbury Activity Centre, off Edward Street.
Anyone interested in taking part – no matter the extent of their sight loss – can contact Mark Smith at Vision Norfolk on 01603 973216 or via email at [email protected].
