Reflections from Torch Trust

In this episode we talk to Sarah Brookman, the visionary behind the new Torch Chaplaincy telephone service, which aims to support people going through life changes relating to sight loss. We also hear from Heinrich Barth, one of the chaplaincy volunteers who lost his sight following an brain aneurism in 2019. The conversation with Heinrich […]

This week, Christian Vision For Men’s Carl Beech chats to us about living with Early Onset Parkinson’s, and shares how his struggle to live with the disease turned into a remarkable innovation to help battle his Parkinson’s symptoms. Carl demonstrates the device he’s developed during the programme, which when he turns it on demonstrates just how […]

In this weeks episode we hear from Gareth davies who’s married to Torch Together coordinator Becky Davies. He talks about what makes a good Torch holiday volunteer and shares part of one of the talks he gave on one of the most recent holidays. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 […]

In this episode we speak to Phil Bryson who is a vicar at St Dionysius Church in Market Harborough. He shares how, after becoming partially sighted, he lost his self-confidence and how he now sees it as a strength in his job. He also talks about his long and prayerful way towards fulfilling his calling […]

Calling all podcast lovers! We are pleased to let you know that season 2 of our podcast Walking By Faith is coming out. This episode features the first of the Walking By Faith conversations, and a conversation with Torch friend and client Bernie Warren. And former Reflection’s producer Linn Ball reflects on what she’d like […]

In this episode, producer Linn Davies is in conversation with Revd Samuel Affel from the Ghana Bible Society about their cooperation with Compass Braille to launch a Braille Bible in Assante Twi. As well as talking about the importance of accessing scripture in ones native language, Samuel also talks about what education and employment is […]

This week on Reflections we mark 2 special occasions – Trinity Sunday, and a special Father’s Day sermon from Rev John Beauchamp too.

As Foster Care Fortnight draws to a close, we’re chatting to Dr Krish Kandiah, the founder of the Christian organisation ‘Home For Good’, a charity dedicated to finding a home for every child who needs one.’ Krish is a also a Foster Carer, as well as being a government advisor, and his insight into this […]

This week Producer Linn Davies talks to Nayoung Lee, a clarinettist from South Korea who now lives in the UK. Nayoung shares her experiences of school and church life growing up, why she chose to come to the UK and how climbing mountains made her appreciate life and God in new ways. To contact Torch […]

Tony Brown has been acting Chair of Trustees for Torch for some time now. And in this episode, we get to know the man behind the role. He talks about how he got involved with Torch and shares some highlights of his recent cruise along the west coast of Africa. To contact Torch Trust with […]

This week we hear from the Archdeacon of Sefton and Knowsley, Rev Pete Spiers, who chats about his disability, identity, and reflects on his love of God, finding faith and the Easter story too. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In this episode of Reflections, we hear the fascinating story of Emily Owen, a Christian author who has had to learn to navigate the world with deafness after NF2A caused her hearing loss. She shares how becoming deaf has impacted how she worships God, and how her journey gave voice to her writing and the […]

This week we hear a special sermon from Rev Canon (Emeritus) Steph van der Toorn that explores the peaks and troughs of motherhood, and considers the struggles that so many can battle with too. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In this episode, we meet weight lifter Ines Higgins as well as park runner and volunteer Alison Evans who are both blind. They both share how they’ve found great communities through their fitness journeys and give some tips on how to get moving. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260info@torchtrust.org or […]

In this episode of Reflections, we take a closer look at healing, which is a controversial topic in the disabled community. We hear from blind priest Melissa Carter who gives us her take on the subject, and delve deeper into the story of the bleeding woman. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, […]

In this episode of Reflections, Linn talks to Torch’s Becky Davies about what to expect for this year’s online Lent group. We also hear an extract from At home in Lent by Gordon Giles, the book the group will be discussing. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or […]

In this episode, we hear from Vicki Bryson, Torch’s new Church Partnerships coordinator, who talks about what she thinks may be some barriers to including blind and partially sighted people in Church. We also hear from Marie McCarroll who attended Torchs Northern Ireland convention. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 […]

This week we hear the second part of Hardeep Rai’s story. And how he rebuilt his professional life after leaving finance and setting upkaleidoscope.group to help disabled people find meaningful work or start a business. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

In 2006 Hardeep Rai was living a good life. He was at the pinnacle of his career in finance and he was about to become a dad. What he didn’t know, was that the birth of his son Eshan, who was severely disabled, would turn his life in an unexpected direction, including becoming a Christian […]

In this episode, we hear the second part of Linn’s interview with blind sound engineer and musician Peter Bosher, who reflects on how faith inspires his music and talks about the Elizabeth Eagle-bott Memorial Fund, an exciting opportunity for blind and partially sighted musicians. We also get another teaser from Blind faith, Torch’s newest podcast […]

In this episode, Linn Davies interviews blind musician and sound engineer Peter Bosher, who shares how he got into working with sound. He also talks about sound without Sight, an initiative for blind musicians and sound makers. Visit soundwithoutsight.org to find out more. There’s also a teaser from Torch’s newest podcast Blind faith, which features […]

For many, January can feel like a long, cold month. So in this episode, we speak to laughter workshop leader Ian Macdonald about how we can incorporate more laughter in our lives. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

Bookings for the Torch Together Holiday programme 2025 opens on 13 January. In this episode, Torch Together Coordinator Becky Davies talks about this years offerings and we chat to Colin and Lesley Palgrave about what you can expect as a guest on a Torch holiday. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call […]

Braille was invented 200 years ago. And this episode looks at how Braille continues to be significant today both in the UK and abroad. New producer Linn Davies first talks to Jake Kyle from Compass Braille about the new NIV Braille Bible translation and then to Matthew Horspool about how Braille enables him to be […]

Marilyn Baker sits down with Torch Trusts’ Sheila Armstrong to chat about friendship and disability, and how the two go hand in hand.