About WFTN
WFTN began in 1980. This was the initiative of the Kidderminster and District Lions Club. The Lions have a worldwide commitment to improve the lives of people with visual impairment and have continued to give WFTN support over many years.
The recordings are carried out every Friday evening to coincide with local weekly newspapers.
WFTN has always been funded by voluntary donations from individuals and organisations and its service is entirely free to listeners. This has been a core principle from the beginning.
In the early years recordings were sent out on tape cassette. This was updated to digital recording and memory sticks in 2009.
WFTN has occupied various premises since 1980. In 2008 it moved to St Barnabas Community Hall, Franche, Kidderminster.
From the outset WFTN has been run and maintained by volunteers. The decision to have three reading teams each with a number of readers has provided a varied and friendly presentation style to WFTN recordings and continues to do so.
WFTN is affiliated to the Talking News Federation (TNF). TNF supports over 300 local Talking Newspapers delivering local news and information in audio to blind, partially sighted and print disabled people.