Frequently asked questions

Cue and Review Recording Service makes news and other printed information available in audio. Our recordings help people living with sight loss access information that may be difficult or impossible for them to read. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/

You can listen to Cue and Review recordings through our website and podcast services. Some listeners also use Alexa or the Alexa app. Other listening support may be available according to individual need. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/freepodcasts

Cue and Review provides audio recordings of news and other printed information. The material available can change. Visit our Free Podcasts page to find the current recordings. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/freepodcasts

Our service is mainly for people living with sight loss who find printed information difficult to access. Other people who have difficulty reading printed material may also find our audio useful. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/freepodcasts

Our online podcasts are free to listen to. Some listening options may require access to a suitable device or internet connection. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/freepodcasts

Yes. Volunteers can contribute to audio production, editing, technical support, administration, outreach, promotion, fundraising and other areas of our work. Available opportunities can change. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/be-a-volunteer

No. You do not need previous broadcasting experience to begin volunteering as a reader. Training, guidance and ongoing support are available. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/read-with-us

Yes. Some volunteer readers record from home. You can also volunteer from our recording studios in Bishopbriggs. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/read-with-us

Not necessarily. Many volunteer readers begin by recording on a smartphone. We can provide guidance about the recording process and the support available. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/read-with-us

Volunteers support Cue and Review in several ways. These can include reading and recording printed material, editing audio, providing technical support, helping with administration and promoting our work. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/be-a-volunteer

Cue and Review is based at Bishopbriggs Media Centre. The address is: 18 Crowhill Road Bishopbriggs Glasgow G64 1QY More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/contactus

Cue and Review began in 1982 at Bishopbriggs High School. The service has changed as recording and listening technology has developed, but its purpose of improving access to printed information remains central to our work.

An employee is paid to carry out an agreed job. A volunteer freely gives time to support the charity and does not receive a salary for volunteering. Both employees and volunteers contribute to Cue and Review, but their arrangements and responsibilities are different.

Yes. Cue and Review combines the work of paid employees and volunteers. Being a charity does not mean that everyone working for the organisation must be unpaid. The charity reports its staff costs in its annual accounts. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/governance-information

Running a charity involves regular work and responsibility. Paid employees provide continuity and carry out agreed jobs for the charity. Volunteers make a separate and important contribution by freely giving their time. Employing people does not make an organisation less charitable.

A trustee helps govern the charity and has responsibilities under charity law. A director helps govern the company and has responsibilities under company law. At Cue and Review, the directors of the charitable company are also its charity trustees. An employee is paid to carry out an agreed job. A volunteer freely gives time to support the organisation without receiving a salary for volunteering.

In Cue and Review’s structure, a person may have a governance role and also carry out a separate paid job where the charity’s governing document permits this. Payment relates to the employee or executive role. It is not a salary simply for being a trustee or director. Any such arrangement must be managed openly and reported where required.

Cue and Review is both a registered charity and a registered company. The term trustee describes the person’s responsibilities under charity law. The term director describes responsibilities under company law. At Cue and Review, the directors of the charitable company are also its charity trustees.

A trustee helps govern Cue and Review. Trustees contribute to Board decisions, oversee the charity’s direction and help ensure that its money and activities support its charitable purposes. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/trustees

People with different backgrounds and experiences can contribute as trustees. A prospective trustee must be eligible to hold the position and prepared to accept its legal and governance responsibilities. Current opportunities and any role requirements are published separately. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/trusteevacancies

Trustees help set the charity’s direction and make important Board decisions. They oversee areas such as governance, finance, risk and the charity’s legal responsibilities. They must act in the interests of the charity and its purposes.

Contact Cue and Review or visit our trustee vacancies page to find out about current opportunities. Before joining, you should understand the role, responsibilities and expected commitment. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/trusteevacancies

Deanwood Limited is the wholly owned property subsidiary and social enterprise of Cue and Review Recording Service Limited. Deanwood owns and manages Bishopbriggs Media Centre. Cue and Review owns 100 per cent of Deanwood. Deanwood is a separate company, but it is not owned by private investors.

Bishopbriggs Media Centre is owned by Deanwood Limited. Deanwood Limited is wholly owned by Cue and Review Recording Service Limited. This means the property is held through the charity’s subsidiary company rather than directly by the charity.

No. Cue and Review Recording Service Limited is the registered Scottish charity. Deanwood Limited is a separate company wholly owned by Cue and Review. Cue and Review’s accounts describe Deanwood as a not-for-profit organisation and social enterprise.

No. Deanwood receives rent and must pay property costs and other expenses. However, it is not owned for the private financial benefit of individual investors. Cue and Review owns 100 per cent of Deanwood. Cue and Review’s accounts state that Deanwood’s profits are covenanted to the charity. This means profits may be passed to Cue and Review under the formal arrangement between the two companies.

Bishopbriggs Media Centre provides Cue and Review with a permanent operational base and recording facilities. Space not required for Cue and Review’s own work can be rented to other organisations and businesses. This helps the property contribute to the long-term support of the charity’s work.

No. Deanwood is wholly owned by Cue and Review and is not owned by private investors. A donation made to Cue and Review is recorded by the registered charity. If funding is specifically given for an eligible property project, it may be used for that stated purpose, but it does not become a private payment to an individual owner.

Rental income, donations and grants have different roles. Deanwood uses rental income to meet property costs, operating expenses and financial commitments. Cue and Review needs funding to deliver and develop its charitable services, support listeners and volunteers, maintain accessible technology and meet other operating costs. Rental income does not mean that all the charity’s costs are covered.

Yes. Cue and Review publishes annual accounts and other governance information. These documents explain the charity’s finances and its relationship with Deanwood Limited. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/governance-information

If you donate to Cue and Review Recording Service Limited, you are donating to the registered charity. Some donations can support the charity’s work generally. Others may be given for a specific service, project or building improvement. Money given for a particular purpose must be used and accounted for according to that purpose. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/governance-information

Yes. You can listen to and share our recordings, tell someone living with sight loss about the service, support our fundraising or make a donation. Helping a potential listener discover Cue and Review can itself make a difference. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/waystofundraise

You can contact Cue and Review through our website. Please contact us if you need help listening, want to volunteer, are considering making a donation or have a question about our work. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/contactus

You can support Cue and Review by volunteering, donating, fundraising, sharing information about our listening service or introducing us to someone who may benefit from accessible audio. More information: https://www.cueandreview.com/waystofundraise