Torch Trust
Torch Trust is a UK charity founded in 1959 that provides accessible Christian literature, audio Bible players, fellowship groups, and chaplaincy services to blind and partially sighted people in the UK and Malawi, funded by donations and sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersMarket Harborough, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Torch Trust does
Torch Trust (legally Torch Trust for the Blind) is a UK-registered charity (charity number 1095904; company limited by guarantee 4616526) founded in 1959 by Ron and Stella Heath, headquartered in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. The organization provides spiritual support and accessible Christian resources to blind and partially sighted people in the UK and, through its international arm Torch Malawi, in Africa. Its core offering centers on producing and distributing Christian literature in braille, audio, and large print formats through a free lending library and an e-commerce shop, supported by a monthly giving programme (Torch Bearers at £15/month) and donor contributions totaling approximately £1,800 per day in overheads.
The portfolio extends beyond literature to include free audio Bible players (Megavoice Pathway for adults, Hope for All Lamb teddy for children), the Sight Loss Friendly Church network that trains UK churches to be inclusive of people with sight loss, community programs (25+ Torch Fellowship Groups in the UK, Torch Together Holidays, chaplaincy listening service), a podcast and radio broadcasting arm (Reflections on RNIB Connect Radio plus multiple podcast series), and the Worship For All automated transcription tool that converts church documents into accessible formats. The organization operates a second office in Blantyre, Malawi, producing Braille Scripture volumes in six African languages and supporting 60 local fellowship groups.
Torch Trust receives no government funding and is sustained by individual donations, church contributions, charitable foundation grants, bequests, and modest income from accessible literature sales (£25/hour for transcription services) and holiday fees (£400-£600 per person). The organization is governed by a board of trustees led by Chair Tony Brown, with CEO Sarah Dawkins appointed in 2025 succeeding Tim Jeffery. The workforce is 11-50 employees split across Client Services, Technical Services, Central Services, and Communications functions, with operations coordinated from Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough.
Torch Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Torch Trust
- Legal name
- Torch Trust for the Blind
- Website
- https://torchtrust.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Torch Trust is a UK charity founded in 1959 that provides accessible Christian literature, audio Bible players, fellowship groups, and chaplaincy services to blind and partially sighted people in the UK and Malawi, funded by donations and sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Torch Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Faith-based disability services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL), Worship & Liturgy Publishing (Liturgical Texts, Missals, Service Books, Hymnals) (MPAJAHAE), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB), Religious & Spiritual Print-on-Demand (Bibles, Devotionals) (MPAJANAG), Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)
Keywords
Where Torch Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Market Harborough
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Torch Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue source. Torch receives no government funding. Donations come from individuals, churches, and charitable foundations. The organization runs regular giving programs including Torch Bearers (£15/month), one-off gifts, and legacy giving.
- Sale of Accessible Christian Literature: Sale of Christian books, Bibles, and magazines in accessible formats (braille, audio, large print) through the Torch Shop e-commerce platform. Pricing matches publisher RRP for standard versions.
- Holiday Programme Fees: Revenue from Torch Together Holidays priced at £600 per person for standard holidays and £400 residential for retreats. Includes bursary fund for those who cannot afford full cost.
- Transcription Services: Chargeable transcription service for converting standard printed material into accessible formats (audio, large print, braille) for external organizations at £25 per hour.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessible Literature Pricing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Transcription Service |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Torch Together Holidays |
| Subscription | Monthly | Torch Bearers Monthly Giving |
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Pathway Audio Bible Player |
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Hope for All Lamb Bible Player |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Torch Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Torch Trust is a UK Christian charity that produces and distributes Christian literature in accessible formats (braille, large print, audio) and provides spiritual support services for blind and partially sighted people. Core offerings include a free lending library, e-commerce book shop, free audio Bible players (Pathway for adults, Hope for All Lamb for children), Reflections Radio and podcast media, Torch Fellowship Groups, Torch Chaplaincy Listening Service, Torch Together Holidays, Sight Loss Friendly Church training and resources, and an automated Worship For All transcription tool for churches.
Product overview
Torch Trust operates as a single-charity ministry offering a portfolio of interconnected services focused on enabling blind and partially sighted people to encounter Jesus, grow in their Christian faith, and thrive in Christian community. Its core product portfolio spans accessible Christian literature (via the Torch Shop e-commerce platform and free Library Lending Service), audio Bible players (the free Pathway player for adults and Hope for All Lamb player for children), broadcast and podcast media (Reflections Radio on RNIB Connect Radio and multiple podcast series including Torch Tales, Walking by Faith, Blind Faith, and Insights), community and fellowship programmes (Torch Fellowship Groups across the UK, Torch Together Holidays, and the Torch Chaplaincy Listening Service), church-inclusion services (Sight Loss Friendly Church network with free training and resources, Worship For All automated transcription tool, and annual Sight Loss Sunday materials), and international outreach (Torch Malawi producing Braille and giant print materials in African languages). The Torch Bearers monthly giving programme underpins funding for accessible book production. All services are coordinated from Torch House in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Torch Shop Online e-commerce platform selling Christian books, Bibles, magazines, and Bible reading notes in accessible formats (braille, large print, audio) at no more than the publisher's recommended retail price for standard copies. Free library lending service also available through the same site.
- Library Catalogue and Lending Service Free lending library of Christian literature in braille, large print, and audio formats available to people with sight loss in the UK, with no postage costs to borrowers.
- Pathway Audio Bible Player Free Megavoice Pathways MP3 audio Bible player pre-loaded with David Suchet reading the New Testament and Psalms, distributed to UK residents with sight loss who are not current Torch clients.
- Hope for All Lamb Bible Player Free cuddly lamb teddy embedded with audio from the Jesus Storybook Bible, distributed to children under 18 in the UK with visual impairment or blindness, funded by Fight for Sight.
- Reflections Radio Weekly Torch radio show airing on RNIB Connect Radio (Freeview 730, FM 101 Glasgow, and online), focusing on disability and faith, produced and presented by Marilyn Baker. Also available as a free monthly CD for eligible recipients and as a podcast.
- Torch Podcasts Multiple podcast series including Torch Tales (organisational history), Walking by Faith (faith journeys of people with sight loss), Blind Faith (conversation series hosted by Mark Madavan), Insights from Sight Loss Friendly Church (short Q&A on sight loss and church), What's New (quarterly client magazine audio), Torch News (quarterly prayer and newsletter audio), and The Torch Magazine (devotional magazine audio).
- Sight Loss Friendly Church (SLFC) Network and certification programme enabling UK churches to become inclusive of people with sight loss, offering free training, advice, downloadable resources (best practice guidelines, guiding tips, accessibility guides), and inclusion on the SLFC church finder map.
- Worship For All Free online automated transcription service enabling churches to convert hymns, liturgies, and church documents into large print (multiple sizes) and braille-ready (.brf) files. Accepts input from SongPro, Media Shout, OpenLP, and Word documents, with output transforms for Visual Liturgy.
- Torch Fellowship Groups (TFGs) Over 25 peer-support and Christian fellowship groups meeting around the UK (face-to-face, phone, or Zoom) for people with sight loss, offering companionship, spiritual encouragement, and social connection. Includes a small number of accessible-format book groups.
- Torch Chaplaincy Listening Service Telephone-based emotional and spiritual wellbeing support for adults (over 18) adjusting to sight loss, delivered by volunteer listeners with personal or professional sight loss experience, offering one-off calls or short series of calls.
- Torch Together Holidays Supported-access holiday programme for people with sight loss held at UK venues (The Greenhouse Christian Centre Poole, The Hayes Swanick, King's Park Northampton), featuring trips, spiritual refreshment, and fellowship. Includes an annual retreat and a Christmas-themed New Year break. Also offers a bursary fund.
- Transcription Service Transcription service converting standard printed materials into accessible formats (audio, large print, braille) for Torch clients. Charged at £25 per hour for custom transcription work, including liturgy and song sheets.
- Sight Loss Sunday Annual nationwide event (held on a Sunday in October) providing churches with themed liturgical resources, Bible readings, sermon notes, children's activities, and accessible-format materials to celebrate and educate about sight loss in church communities.
- Torch Malawi International programme operating from Torch House in Blantyre, Malawi, producing braille Scripture volumes in multiple African languages (Chichewa, Sena, Shona, Bemba, Igala, Hausa), giant print materials, and operating a free lending library. Supported by a local Malawian board and funded primarily by Torch Trust UK.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 16,000 requests for accessible resources fulfilled annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Torch Trust
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Torch Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Torch Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RNIB Connect RadiocorePartnership to broadcast Torch's Reflections radio show every Sunday at 9am. Available on Freeview 730, FM 101 in Glasgow, and online. Reaches blind and partially sighted listeners across the UK.
- Torch MalawicoreLong-standing international partnership supporting blind and partially sighted people in Malawi. Financial support comes primarily from Torch Trust UK. Operates Torch House in Blantyre with braille production, giant print facility, and 60 fellowship groups.
- Thirtyone:eightminorSafeguarding advisory organization that advises Torch on safeguarding policy and practice matters. Torch is a member of this organization.
- Sight Loss Agencies (UK)minorUK charities working with blind and partially sighted people. Torch partners with these organizations to provide referrals and support individuals who would benefit from connecting with Torch's services.
- Christian Organizations and DenominationsminorPartnerships with Christian organizations and denominations across the UK and internationally. Torch connects and works in partnership with others who share common calling to Christian ministry and mission.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Torch Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Guide Dogs: A major UK sight loss charity providing mobility services, advocacy, and community support. It is one of the largest UK sight loss fundraising brands and serves the same end-user population as Torch Trust, although its focus is mobility rather than spiritual support.
- RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): UK's largest sight loss charity, providing wide-ranging services for blind and partially sighted people. Torch Trust, like RNIB, reaches the same visually impaired population via broadcast reach (RNIB Connect Radio), library support, and championing inclusion, but Torch is Christian-focused and specialises in accessible scripture and spiritual support.
- Blind Veterans UK: UK charity supporting vision-impaired ex-military personnel. Like Torch, it is a niche sight loss charity operating in a defined beneficiary segment with community services, demonstrating operating models for small, mission-focused sight loss organisations.
Emerging players
- World Bible School: International Christian ministry that uses accessible digital content (including audio) to deliver Bible-based study worldwide. The accessible digital distribution model overlaps with Torch's transcribing and audio Bible player initiatives.
Direct peers
- Calibre Audio Library: UK charity lending audiobooks to people with sight loss, dyslexia, and other print disabilities. Calibre is a direct comparator for Torch's free Library Lending Service, although Calibre is secular while Torch's library is Christian-focused.
- Christian Blind Mission (CBM): An international Christian development organisation focused on disability including sight loss, operating in low- and middle-income countries. Both organisations pair Christian mission with disability ministry to blind and partially sighted people, making CBM a like-for-like comparator for Torch's Malawi and accessible Christian content work.
- Bible Society: UK charity that produces, translates, and distributes Bibles - including accessible formats - across the UK and internationally. Torch Trust's braille, audio, and large-print Bible work overlaps Bible Society's distribution activities, making it a direct comparator in the accessible Scripture publishing space.
Regional players
- Seeing Eye Dogs (also part of Vision Australia): Vision Australia delivers services and accessible content for blind and low-vision Australians, including library and audio resources. Comparable to Torch's accessible literature and fellowship model, but serving a different geography (Australia vs UK).
- Sight Savers International: Global NGO focused on preventing blindness and supporting people with visual impairment in low-income countries. Its international sight loss programme provides a useful comparator for Torch Malawi's community-based intervention model.
- Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic): US nonprofit providing audiobooks and accessible learning materials to people with print disabilities. Functional mirror to Torch's accessible library and transcription services, with geographic focus on North America.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Torch Trust social profiles
Digital presenceTorch Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Torch Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Torch Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Torch Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Torch Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Torch Trust
What does Torch Trust do?
Torch Trust is a UK Christian charity that produces and distributes Christian literature in accessible formats (braille, large print, audio) and provides spiritual support services for blind and partially sighted people. Core offerings include a free lending library, e-commerce book shop, free audio Bible players (Pathway for adults, Hope for All Lamb for children), Reflections Radio and podcast media, Torch Fellowship Groups, Torch Chaplaincy Listening Service, Torch Together Holidays, Sight Loss Friendly Church training and resources, and an automated Worship For All transcription tool for churches.
Is Torch Trust a public or private company?
Torch Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Torch Trust founded?
Torch Trust was founded in 1959. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Torch Trust based?
Torch Trust is headquartered in Market Harborough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Torch Trust make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are sale of Accessible Christian Literature, holiday Programme Fees and transcription Services.
Who are Torch Trust's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Guide Dogs, RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and Blind Veterans UK. World Bible School is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Calibre Audio Library, Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and Bible Society. Regional players are Seeing Eye Dogs (also part of Vision Australia), Sight Savers International and Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic).
Does Torch Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Torch Trust.
What industry is Torch Trust in?
Torch Trust's product category is Faith-based disability services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAHAA, Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras), with a secondary code of MPAJAHAL, Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons). Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 2731.