Read With Us – Volunteer with Cue and Review

Help people stay connected through audio

By volunteering with Cue and Review, you can help people living with sight loss access the news, stay informed, and feel connected to their communities.

You can volunteer from home or in our studio. We provide full training and ongoing support.

Get started in 4 simple steps

Learn about the role
Follow the training steps
Record a short test clip
Start supporting listeners

Step 1 – Learn about the role

Find out what being a volunteer reader involves:

Volunteer Reader Information

Step 2 – Start your training

Follow the step-by-step training guide:

Start Here – Training Page

This includes:

Simple video guides
Written instructions
Support at each stage

Step 3 – Record a test clip

Once you have completed the training:

Record a short sample (2–3 minutes)
Send it to the studio team
We will provide feedback and support

Getting Started with Phone Recording

Many Cue and Review volunteers record articles from home using a smartphone.

You do not need specialist equipment, editing software or previous broadcasting experience to get started. Many volunteers begin by recording on their phone and develop additional skills later if they wish.

Our new Start Recording with your Phone guide explains:

How to set up your phone for recording.
Tips for creating clear recordings at home.
Simple editing techniques.
How to build confidence at your own pace.
Where to find help and support.

The guide is based on volunteer experience and reflects the ways our readers currently record and edit articles from home.

A Simple Way to Start

Many volunteers follow a gradual approach:

Record an article on their phone.
Listen back and build confidence.
Learn simple editing when ready.
Receive support from experienced volunteers and staff.
Develop additional skills, such as uploading or editing, if they choose.

The most important thing is not technical perfection.

A clear, steady and natural reading style helps people living with sight loss enjoy and access the information they need. Use the studio email to ask for a copy of the guide.

Need Help?

Support is available from:

Iain and the Cue and Review team.
Experienced volunteers.
Our volunteer WhatsApp Group.
Our Volunteer Facebook Group.

You can learn at your own pace and ask for help whenever you need it.

Step 4 – Start volunteering

Once your test recording is complete:

We will match you with articles
You can record regularly or when available
You can work from home or in the studio

Join our mailing list

to keep in touch we need your permission to contact you so please complete this form

Please let us stay in touch with you

Let us know your availability

If you are not available to record at any time:

Let Us Know When You’re Unavailable

This helps us:

plan recording schedules
arrange cover
avoid last-minute changes

What support you will receive

You are not expected to work this out on your own.

We provide:

Step-by-step training
Clear written guidance
Technical support
A supportive team

If you get stuck, we will help.

Flexible volunteering

You can:

Record at times that suit you
Take breaks when needed
Update your availability at any time

Use the availability form above to keep us updated.

Further information

You can also view the full volunteer handbook:

Volunteer Handbook

Need help?

Call: 0141 724 1797
Email: studio@cueandreview.com

There is no such thing as a silly question.

Other ways to volunteer

Not all roles involve recording.

You can also help with:

Promotion and social media
Administration and support
Technical help
Listener support
Fundraising and outreach

See all volunteering options

USB Stick Copier and Admin

Some of our listeners prefer to receive their Talking Newspaper on a USB stick to plug into their PC at home. Once the listener has finished with the USB stick, they put it in a wallet and post it back to our office.

We need volunteers to go to our studios to collect the returned wallets and upload the latest Talking Newspaper onto the USB stick – you can do this at Home or in the Studio. Then, simply take the sealed wallets to the post office for delivery.

Audio Ambassador

We need people to help promote our charity and the service we provide, simply visit our promotions page to make use of the materials available. You could simply share a meme or a video, put up a poster or promote our podcasts, every little bit of help can make a big difference to someone who is blind or partially sighted.

Administration Assistant

Are you good with book-keeping and administration, could you help research funding and grants?

We are looking for volunteers to help with these duties as well as handling and scanning invoices and assisting with minutes and reports for board meetings.

If you have the skills and are interested in helping, then we would love to hear from you.

Telephone Operator

We want to encourage our listeners to move to our online service and we need volunteers to help some of our listeners set up their Alexa device or smartphone app – you would simply talk them through this over the phone so they can listen to Talking Newspapers at home.

We also require volunteers to provide technical support to our readers who are editing and uploading the audio files.

If you would like to help or find out more then please email information@cueandreview.com , please state which role you are interested in volunteering for with your name and contact details.

Find Out More