About Playback
We are the Playback Recording Service for the blind and partially sighted people, which was established in 1976. We are a registered charity, and our charity number is SC001189.
About Playback
We are the Playback Recording Service for the blind and partially sighted people, which was established in 1976. We are a registered charity, and our charity number is SC001189.
So much more than just a recording studio
We record newspapers, magazines, and other information for blind, and partially sighted people, including individuals who have reading difficulties. We believe that everyone should have access to the stories, news, and entertainment that connect us all.
Our service is, and has always been, more than just recordings. It is a community. It is the friendly voice that arrives through your letterbox or online each week. It is the shared experience of enjoying a good magazine or catching up on the local news. It’s a connection that has been built over decades, powered by the incredible kindness of our volunteers and the unwavering support of our listeners.
We are based in Glasgow, but our family of listeners stretches across the West of Scotland, throughout the United Kingdom, and even to friends overseas. Every recording we create is a testament to what a community can achieve when it comes together with a shared purpose. We are so proud of the work we do, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who is a part of our story.
Growing with our Community and Technology
Back in 1958, a few members of the Tape Recording Club had the wonderful idea to produce a magazine on reel-to-reel tapes specifically for blind people in the area. This was the moment the seed was planted for what would eventually grow into the Playback service.
In those early days, our recordings were produced on cassette tapes. We built a library of publications and, with the help of a small but dedicated team, we began sending them out to our growing listeners.
From cassette tapes, we moved to Daisy CDs, which gave our listeners much more control to navigate through articles. Today, we offer a whole range of digital formats. You can get our recordings on a memory stick or listen directly online through MP3s and podcasts. This ensures you can enjoy our publications in the way that is most comfortable and convenient for you.
The people who make Playback possible
Our charity is not just a recording studio or a name - it's a dedicated team of individuals who pour their time, skills and heart into making our service what it is.
Our Incredible Volunteer Team
Playback simply could not exist without our volunteers. We have a team of wonderful people who are the true voice of our charity. They are the readers who come to our studios week after week to bring newspapers and magazines to life. Their commitment is the foundation of everything we do.
We have been so fortunate to have volunteers like Leonora Smart, whose work recording the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's Event Guide was formally honoured. We are grateful for every single person who has ever sat behind our microphones - they are our heroes!
Another fifteen volunteers are involved with reading the regular publications and administration.
Guiding Hands and Lasting Legacies
Over the years, our service has been guided by some truly remarkable people. Peter Fraser was a central figure in our story for many decades, a driving force whose impact is still felt today. He began his work with tapes for the blind all the way back in 1960. After his formal retirement in 2002, his dedication never wavered. He continued to be a vital part of our community, producing the beloved Playback Magazine and serving as our charity's secretary until his passing in 2025.
Peter’s influence on our charity is immeasurable. His passion and commitment helped shape Playback into the service it is today, and his memory continues to guide our work. His incredible contribution was recognised with numerous awards. He was awarded the MBE in 1994. The National Federation of the Blind presented him with the Grimshaw Award in 1993. Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall also presented him with a beautiful Caithness Glass Bowl. These honours remain a source of great pride for our entire organisation, a testament to a life dedicated to serving others.
The standard of quality and care that Peter established is carried on today by John Green, who now looks after the production of all our material. He ensures that the tradition of excellence our listeners have come to expect continues long into the future.
The Playback Timeline
Our history is a story told through many voices. It is a journey of innovation, and a shared desire to connect our community through sound. From a small club with a big idea to the worldwide family we are today, we are so proud of every step we have taken together.
Through all these years, one thing has remained constant: our gratitude for our volunteers. Our team of dedicated readers are the heart and soul of Playback. Without their time, their talent, and their warmth, our service simply could not exist. We thank them, and we thank you for being a part of our story.
1958 - The First Spark
Our story begins with the Glasgow Tape Recording Club. A few members had the wonderful idea to produce a magazine on reel-to-reel tapes for blind people in the area. This recording of local news and interesting items was sent out to around 60 people, planting the seed for everything that would follow.
1975 - A Helping Hand
Our founder, the late Donald Anderson, saw that the service had the potential to reach so many more people. He approached the Glasgow and West of Scotland Society for the Blind, who generously offered us funding and a room in their building on St. Vincent Street - including a new carpet!
1976 - Playback Magazine is launched
In May, the very first edition of our beloved Playback Magazine was recorded. With professional guidance from Iris Robertson-Brown of the BBC, and an inaugural message from the Society's president, Gordon Mackinnon, a new era began. That first edition reached 260 people, a proud moment for Donald and everyone involved.
1980 - A New Chapter
As our community of listeners grew, it became clear that we needed dedicated staff to keep the service running smoothly. In June, we were overjoyed to welcome Mr. Peter Fraser as our first full-time coordinator. This appointment, supported by the local council, allowed us to record more publications than ever before and serve our listeners better.
1987 - Official Charity Status
This was a landmark year for us. In August, Playback Recording Service for the Blind officially became a registered charity, with our own management committee. In that same year, our team grew again as we welcomed Ian Glover into our second full-time position.
1993 - Welcoming John Green and Celebrations
When Ian Glover left the service, we were delighted to appoint John Green to the team. John has been with us ever since, helping to expand our library and support our work in countless ways. This was also the year that Peter Fraser's incredible dedication was recognised when he was presented with the prestigious Grimshaw Award by the National Federation of the Blind.
1994 - A Royal Honour for Peter Fraser MBE
We were filled with immense pride when our coordinator, Peter Fraser, was awarded the MBE for his service to blind people, which began all the way back in 1960. This was a wonderful tribute to his lifetime of work and a proud moment for our entire community.
2002 - New Roles Begin
Peter Fraser retired from his full-time position, and John Green stepped up to look after the production of all our material. But Peter never truly left our family. He kindly continued his work as the producer of Playback Magazine and as the secretary of our charity, a role he fulfilled with dedication for many years to come.
Today - Our Community Continues to Grow
Our service has blossomed in ways we could only have dreamed of. Our library now holds over 1,000 titles, including many wonderful Scottish books recorded by our own volunteers. We have added audio-described videos and continue to send Playback Magazine to thousands of listeners, not just in Scotland, but across the world.
Remarkably even in its fiftieth year Playback Magazine has only had three presenters:
1976-1996: Iris Robertson Brown
1996-2000: Alma Cadzow
2000 to date: John Cavanagh