Transcription Services

Let us lend our voice to your words, creating warm, clear audio recordings of your publications for everyone to access easily.

Transcription Services

Let us lend our voice to your words, creating warm, clear audio recordings of your publications for everyone to access easily.

Let us be the voice for your words

We are Playback, a charity that believes everyone deserves access to information. For decades, we have been at the heart of our community, transforming written words into high-quality audio. This has allowed thousands of blind and visually impaired people to enjoy newspapers, magazines, and books.

Now, we want to offer our expertise to you.

If your organisation produces newsletters, reports, or any other written material, we can help you make it accessible to everyone. By working with us, you can ensure your important messages are heard by people who cannot read standard print. It is a simple step towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.

What we can record for you

Our experienced team can handle a wide variety of materials. We would be delighted to help you create audio versions of:

  • Newsletters for your members or supporters
  • Monthly or quarterly magazines
  • Annual reports and important documents
  • Information leaflets and brochures
  • Training materials or guides
  • Any publication you wish to make accessible

Whatever your needs, we are here to have a conversation. Our goal is to help you reach the people you care about.

Making your message heard

Our transcription service is straightforward. We take your written documents and, in our professional recording studios, we bring them to life with a human voice. We understand how important your message is, and we take great care to deliver it with clarity and warmth.

We can provide your final audio recoring in a wide range of formats to suit the needs of your community or customers.  You can choose from:

  • Daisy CD: An accessible format that is easy to navigate, allowing listeners to skip between sections
  • Conventional CD: A simple and familiar format for use in any standard CD player
  • MP3 Files: Perfect for hosting on your website, sending via email or for listeners to play on their computer or mobile device.
  • Memory Stick A convenient and reusable option for digital playback
  • Cassette Tape: We are proud to still offer this traditional format for those who prefer it

We have been honoured to work with many different organisations over the years, from local community groups to national bodies. We regularly record newsletters, helping our partners stay connected with their own members. We believe that sharing information builds stronger communities.

Our Process

When you choose to work with us, you are choosing a partner with a deep understanding of the visually impaired community. Our service is built on decades of experience and a genuine passion for what we do.

Step One: Get in Touch

The first step is a simple conversation. You can call us or send us an enquiry below to tell us a little bit about your project. There is no obligation at all. We are happy to answer any questions you have and explain how we can help. We can talk about your publication, your audience, and what you hope to achieve.

Step Two: Creating a Plan

Once we understand your needs, we will create a clear plan. We will discuss the best format for your audience, how often you wish to record, and a timeline that works for you. We believe in being open and clear, so you will know exactly what to expect from our service.

Step Three: Recording

This is where your words become sound. Your document will be recorded by one of our team of wonderful volunteer readers. We have a group of around 30 dedicated volunteers who are the voice of Playback. They are experienced, professional, and understand the importance of reading with warmth and precision.

All our recordings take place in our modern, digital recording studios here at our Glasgow centre. This ensures the highest quality sound, free from distractions. Your listeners will receive a recording that is a pleasure to listen to.

Step Four: Delivery and Distribution

We can provide your final audio recording in a wide range of formats to suit the needs of your community.

In some cases, we can also help with distribution.  If you need to send physical copies to your members, we can produce them and post them in freepost wallets under the Royal Mail's Articles for the Blind free postage service.

Request a Recording

To begin the process, simply complete our short enquiry form below and a member of the team will be in touch

Support our work

Playback is funded entirely by donations, and our service simply could not exist without our team of around 30 volunteers.

We are incredibly grateful to every single person who has contributed to our work. Your support is what allows us to keep our service free for everyone who needs it.

Support our work

Playback is funded entirely by donations, and our service simply could not exist without our team of around 30 volunteers.

We are incredibly grateful to every single person who has contributed to our work.  Your support is what allows us to keep our service free for everyone who needs it.