All about our vital work

Talking Books are just part of the story

Imagine losing your sight.

Imagine feeling isolated and alone, as if the life you knew was gone forever.

That's why our Talking Book service is so important.

They help so many blind and partially sighted people, young and old, to find joy in their lives again.

But our Talking Book service is only part of the story.

We offer information, support and advice to almost two million blind and partially sighted people.

Donate online today and help us fund our services in the future.


Practical and imaginative services

We focus all our efforts to deliver practical and imaginative services and solutions to the everyday challenges of living with sight loss. These include:

  • Providing information on eye conditions, educating blind and partially sighted people about their condition.
  • RNIB Helpline (0303 123 9999, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), offering support and information on products and services available for blind and partially sighted people.
  • Our Talking Book service, which has 39,000 subscribers.
  • Campaigning to eliminate avoidable sight loss.
  • Financing research into sight loss and eye health issues.
  • Teaching people how to read braille and giving them access to braille reading material.
  • RNIB Research Library, Europe's largest and most comprehensive collection of material covering all aspects of blindness.

Make a donation

Please donate online and help support our vital work. You can help enrich the lives of children, like Ruth living with sight loss.

It costs RNIB £4 million a year to run the Talking Book service. And it can cost up to £2,500 to record a single Talking Book.

Our Talking Books bring so much joy to blind and partially sighted people. And a donation from you will keep this, and our other vital services, running.

Last updated: 26 October 2012

Contact the Fundraising team

If you have any questions, please email us at fundraising@rnib.org.uk or call us on 0845 345 0054
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).


Fundraising Standards BoardFundraising promise

RNIB is proud to be a member of the Fundraising Standards Board.

Help a life to blossom


Kevin lost his sight overnight. Take a look at how RNIB helped Kevin to continue to live his life to the full and rediscover his love of gardening.


Please donate today and you can help people like Kevin to keep on doing the things they love the most.

Meet Ruth


"I love listening to every sound. It's like I'm there in my head. I can't wait for the next one." Ruth, aged 10.

Ruth sometimes feels cut off from the world. Find out how Talking Books help.