Reflections from Torch Trust

Join Marilyn and the Torch Trust team as they bring you readings, messages and a Christmas special sermon. We’re also joined by comedian Paul Kerensa for the tale behind one of the greatest Christmas songs too!

Podcasters, authors and social media starlets Jade and John Reynolds join Chris Byland to chat faith, disability and their latest book ‘Able To Laugh‘ in this is the extended edition of Reflections.

The second part of our chat with Paul hears him chatting about eye sight, WW1, his book Hark! The Biography of Christmas and the history podcast, The British Broadcasting Century, and much more!

Paul Kerensa travels around the UK constantly on tour with his various shows, currently it’s carols and comedians visiting churches which is a whole heap of fun and gets you in the mood for Christmas, but away from that he’s written for top TV shows like Miranda, Not Going Out, Top Gear, TFI Friday, The […]

We hear once more from Fiona MacMillan, who shares with us her role within the Church of England’s General Synod, and what it’s doing to help churches become more disability aware.

This week on Reflections we hear from Fiona MacMillan, a member of the Church of England’s general synod, trustee of Inclusive Church, and chair of the Disability Advisory Group at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

 We hear from a charity that is on a mission to connect churches with people who have a learning disability by breaking down the barriers of accessibility and helping people to understand the bible and Jesus.

We hear once more from preacher and author Kate Nicholas, who continue to share her journey with God, writing and cancer.

Preacher Kate Nicholas takes us on her unusual route to finding God, and shares the journey that she’s been on with cancer.

Freelance Theology of Mental Health Specialist, Rachael Newham, talks about how she’s been helping churches, her books and specialist degree.

Freelance Theology of Mental Health Specialist, Rachael Newham, shares her incredibly candid, powerful and honest journey of living with mental illness and God.

Join us as we mark and celebrate Sight Loss Sunday 2024 with a special church at home service

Sarah Dawkins, CEO of the Torch Trust looks ahead to 2024’s Sight Loss Sunday with Marilyn Baker and shares just why it’s so important.

Disability Awareness Sunday, organised by Christian charity Through The Roof, share how they are helping churches to become more disability aware.

We hear from online support network YouBelong to find out how they are supporting Christians living with chronic illness and disability.

British Paralympian Kare Adenegan takes some time out at Paris 2024 to talk to us about her life in sport and with God.

Rev Augustine Tanner-Ihm shares what life was like growing up in Chicago, and how living with borderline personality disorder, dyslexia and dyspraxia have all impacted his faith.

This week on Reflections with Marilyn Baker, we hear from the Reverend Shuna Body MBE, who wears a multitude of hats in her day to day life: she’s a vicar in Kent, works for the fire service, a school governor, chair of a charity, is married to a sheep farmer, she’s a fencing coach, a […]

This week on Reflections Marilyn is in conversation with Craig Spence from the International Paralympic Committee ahead of this year's games in Paris talking about how the Paralympics have become one of the world’s largest sporting events, diversity and inclusion, what we can expect in 2024, and some of the positives and difficulties that surround the games too.

This week on Reflections Marilyn Baker is joined by Torch Trust’s Sheila Armstrong to chat about Sight Village Central 2024 that took place recently in Birmingham, an exhibition which offers a unique opportunity to discuss and engage with new innovations and technology for people living with any degree of sight loss.

How do you get on with getting out and about with sight loss? Hazel Dudley is a Liverpool football fan and regularly travels to games – she shares her experiences with us about her travels, enjoying sport as a fan, and the importance of Jesus in her life too.

Dave Clarke OBE is a former England and Great Britain Blind Footballer who captained sides during his 144 appearances for his country and also scored 128 goals. He has been entered into the English Football Hall of Fame for his achievements and is now the Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association and  Paralympics GB . […]

With the Olympics getting underway very soon, we’re this week thinking about the Christian Missionary Eric Liddell, the famous Scottish athlete and devout Christian who during the 1924 Olympic games in Paris dropped out of the 100-metres run —his strongest event—because the qualifying heats were scheduled for a Sunday. Joining us to chat about Eric […]

This week on Reflections, we’re hearing from another sporting voice - in fact, in the United States he’s got a notable standing as a national champion blind bowler, securing a top-10 national ranking! He’s also a drummer, and a marriage minister that seeks to help couples bring God into the centre of their marriages. His name is John Helton and is the man behind the Blind Fury ministries.

On Reflections this week we’re turning our attention to the tennis fortnight that’s now underway at Wimbledon and hearing from Carolyn Skinner of Third Space Ministries, a charity that supports the fans trying to get into the ground with a friendly smile, eye masks, and the love of God!