Basingstoke Talking News
Your Community. Your News. Your Voice — Every Single Week.
At Basingstoke Talking News, we believe that losing your sight should never mean losing your connection to the town you love. Every week, our dedicated team of volunteer readers transforms local headlines into a vibrant audio experience — delivered directly to you, completely free of charge.
Whether you are living with a sight impairment or a disability that makes reading standard print a challenge, our service is designed specifically for you. It is more than a recording — it is a friendly voice, a lifeline to your community.
Listen to This Week's Edition
Listen instantly in your browser — completely free and with no registration required.
🔊 Web Player
Listen instantly in your browser — no app or download needed. Works on any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
What's Inside Each Edition?
Produced in partnership with Basingstoke Community Radio, every episode is curated to keep you informed, entertained, and engaged with your local community.
📰 Local Headlines
Comprehensive coverage of community news and top stories from the local press.
💼 Business News
Updates on local businesses, openings and economic stories affecting Basingstoke.
🎬 Showbiz & Entertainment
The latest entertainment news and celebrity stories.
⚽ Local & National Sport
Results, fixtures and sports news from across the borough and beyond.
📅 What's On
Stay in the loop with upcoming local events, markets and social gatherings.
🎂 Celebrations & Requests
Personal shout-outs, birthday wishes and your favourite musical tracks.
🧩 Quizzes & Seasonal Specials
Sharpen your wits with our popular quizzes and festive entertainment.
🎤 Exclusive Features
In-depth interviews and stories highlighting the unique character of Basingstoke.
Who Is This Service For?
Basingstoke Talking News is a free community service for anyone who finds reading standard print difficult, including people who are:
- Registered blind or partially sighted
- Living with a condition affecting their ability to read print
- Older residents who find screens or small text difficult
You do not need to register. Simply click play and listen — access is instant, simple and entirely free.
Supporting People with Sight Loss in Hampshire
Basingstoke Talking News is a free audio news service for people living in Basingstoke, Hampshire and the surrounding areas who are blind, partially sighted, or unable to read standard printed newspapers and magazines.
Produced by a dedicated team of volunteers in partnership with Basingstoke Community Radio, our weekly programme brings local news, community information, features, interviews and entertainment directly to listeners through an easy-to-use online player.
For many residents across Basingstoke and North Hampshire, Talking News provides an important connection to local life, helping people stay informed about community events, local issues, local businesses and the stories that matter most.
We are proud to support people living with sight loss, visual impairment and other conditions that make reading printed material difficult. Our service is designed to be simple, accessible and completely free to use.
Whether you are registered blind, partially sighted, recovering from illness, or simply find reading newspapers difficult, Basingstoke Talking News can help you stay connected to your local community.
Our mission is simple: to make local news and information accessible to everyone.
What Our Listeners Say
“A vital service that keeps the world open for those of us who can no longer read the local paper. It feels like a friend visiting every week.”
— A regular Basingstoke Talking News listener
Start Listening Today
Don't miss out on the stories that matter to you. Rediscover your local community through the power of sound.