VIDEO: Kingsclere-based charity Living Paintings goes viral with nearly seven million views for video series on social media

The volunteers from a small local charity have become unlikely viral stars, as clips of them working have racked up nearly seven million views online.

In a series of videos across social media, the team at Kingsclere-based Living Paintings have been showcasing how they make unique picture books by hand that blind and visually impaired children can experience through touch and sound.

Living Paintings has been providing free access to these adapted tactile-audio picture books to children, families and schools since 1989.

Len Webb is an 88-year-old volunteer who has been working for the charity for more than 20 years and has been blown away by the reception he and his fellow volunteers have been getting online for the work they do.

He said: “I’m really not used to being in the spotlight and I never expected that I’d be getting all these lovely messages from people around the world, but it’s so nice to see the work of the charity getting all this recognition.

“Volunteering at Living Paintings is a nice thing to do in my retirement, using my woodwork and painting skills for something good.

“It’s a great sense of community and all for a really wonderful purpose.”

Living Paintings volunteers have been using their new found fame to drum up further support for the charity, swapping picture books for Christmas tree decorations, and hand-crafting tactile ornaments to be sent as a thank you to those sending Living Paintings a donation over the festive period.

The decoration being sent out features a robin taken from the charity’s tactile-audio adaptation of One Snowy Night by celebrated illustrator Nick Butterworth.

Len added: “It’s been really fun to create these Christmas tree decorations too, doing something different that supports the charity’s work.”

Living Paintings CEO Camilla Oldland said: “The impact our work has on the lives of blind and visually impaired children will always be the greatest part of our story, but behind the scenes we’re making an impact too.

“The community of local volunteers here is incredibly special and the work they do is so unique, making a huge difference to the lives of so many.

“It’s incredible to see how this has really captured the hearts and imaginations of so many people.”