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​​Start Here – Volunteer Reader Onboarding

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Welcome

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Thank you for choosing to volunteer.

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You are joining a team that helps people living with sight loss access the news, stay informed, and feel connected to their communities.

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You do not need to get everything right straight away.


We will guide you at each step.

 

How to use this page

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To make things easier:

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  • Read each section from top to bottom

  • Follow the training steps in order

  • Click the link under each step to open the training folder

  • Each folder contains:

    • a video

    • written step-by-step guidance

Take your time. You do not need to do everything at once.

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If you are new

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  • Start at Step 1

  • Work through each step

  • Then complete your test recording

 

If you already have experience

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  • Go straight to the step you need

  • Use this page as a reference

 

Before asking for help

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  • Check the relevant training step first

  • Most questions are answered there

 

Your first steps

 

To get started:

  1. Follow the training steps below in order

  2. Record a short test clip (2–3 minutes)

  3. Send it in and ask for feedback

 

Training videos and written guidance

 

Please follow these steps in order.

Each link below opens a folder containing both a video and written guidance.

 

Step 1 – Welcome to Cue and Review

Open Welcome to Cue and Review training

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Step 2 – Install Audacity and ACX Check

Open Installing Audacity and ACX Check training

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Step 3 – Checking Audio Settings and Sound Levels

Open Audio Settings training

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Step 4 – Recording and Editing

Open Recording and Editing training

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Step 5 – Running ACX and Exporting Audio

Open ACX and Exporting training

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Step 6 – Uploading to Dropbox and TNF

Open Uploading to Dropbox and TNF training

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Step 7 – Recording at Home

Open Recording at Home training

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Training and support

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

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We provide:

  • Step-by-step training videos

  • Written guidance

  • Help setting up your equipment

  • Ongoing support from the studio team

 

How the process works

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  • You choose when you are available

  • You receive articles to record

  • You record and send your audio

  • The team provides feedback and support

 

You can volunteer from home or in the studio.

 

Working together

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Your role

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  • Read and record articles

  • Support people living with sight loss

  • Be part of the team

 

What we ask from you

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  • Be reliable

  • Ask for help when needed

  • Follow the guidance

  • Treat others with respect

 

What you can expect from us

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  • Clear training

  • Ongoing support

  • Flexibility

  • A welcoming environment

 

Get help

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There is no such thing as a silly question.

 

Final note

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Please work through the training steps first.

This will answer most questions and help you get started more quickly.

 

Volunteering and benefits

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You can usually volunteer while claiming benefits, as long as you continue to meet the conditions of the benefit you receive.

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Volunteering:

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  • Is unpaid.

  • Is something you choose to do.

  • Must be reported to the office that pays your benefits before you start.

 

You can normally volunteer for any number of hours, provided you remain available for work or meet the conditions agreed with your work coach. Any reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses paid by the organisation, such as travel costs, are not treated as earnings.

 

The rules are set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and apply across Scotland.

 

The guidance below was developed with Scottish volunteering organisations and is the most up‑to‑date and reliable source of information.

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Further information

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For clear, Scotland‑specific advice, we recommend the following:

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Volunteer support organisations in Scotland, including Third Sector Interfaces and Volunteer Scotland partners, also signpost to this guidance and encourage people to discuss volunteering openly with their work coach before starting. [gov.uk], [makeyourmark.scot]

 

If you are unsure how volunteering might affect your own situation, we strongly advise you to speak to:

  • Your Jobcentre Plus work coach, or

  • Citizens Advice Scotland, who can give independent advice.

 

Cue & Review cannot give benefits advice, but we are happy to provide a letter confirming the voluntary nature of your role if needed.

Publication Guidelines

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We are going to be reviewing the following notes over the next few weeks to bare with us.

 

Below are the guidelines for the publications we record at Cue and Review.  Click on the image of the publication you wish to access. On the top right corner you can download the PDF of the file, which you can then use as an offline copy or to print your own notebook.

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