STORYTELLING for blind and partially sighted children has an added sensory dimension in a recent free resource from the Christian charity Torch Trust.
The resource is a soft toy lamb to cuddle while they hearken to the actor Sir David Suchet reading the Jesus Storybook Bible. The lamb comprises the speaker, triggered by pressing its nose. “The sensory element helps to attach them with the world around them, and offers them the independence to find a way to do what most youngsters can do — pick up a book,” the Trust’s chief executive, Sarah Dawkins, said on Tuesday.
There are an estimated 25,000 children within the UK with sight-loss. The project had been generously funded by a social-inclusion charity, Fight for Sight, and it could be unrealistic to think that each child could yet be reached, she said; there was enough funding now to offer away 300 lambs over the subsequent yr or two.
Sir David recorded the audiobook for the publishing firm HarperCollins, which have given Torch Trust the rights to make use of it. Feedback from parents and carers who’ve tried it describes it as “amazing, an actual blessing” in enabling their children to access it for themselves.
“Our aim is that each one children, no matter visual ability, have the chance to listen to the gospel through a fascinating and age-appropriate resource, and so each is a special gift, fostering a way of affection, care, and reference to the Christian message,” Ms Dawkins said.
The lambs are shipped to the UK from Australia, where they’re produced by a specialist company.
