Friday 27 September saw the launch of a pilot scheme called ‘Deafness Connects Us: Developing deaf connections in South Gloucestershire’, a partnership between South Gloucestershire Council and the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (CfD).
The pilot scheme launched at the Armadillo Centre in Yate and is being delivered by the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. The initiative will include a series of sessions for the deaf and hard of hearing community, held in venues around South Gloucestershire, and based on the 5 Steps to Wellbeing (www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/). The overall aim is to improve wellbeing across the deaf and hard of hearing community, through reducing isolation and the building of connections and community resilience.
As a part of this partnership, CfD will also be creating a video to showcase to deaf and hard of hearing people the variety of ways in which the council can ensure effective communications and access to services. The project will also include training for council staff to ensure effective communication and service delivery.
December sees the celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and as part of related activities, CfD will be providing a webinar for council staff covering deaf awareness.
Councillor Alison Evans, cabinet member for cost of living, equalities and public health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We’re delighted to launch this partnership with the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People.
“It is extremely important to us that the issues and barriers impacting deaf and hard of hearing people in South Gloucestershire are proactively addressed, and through this project with CfD, we aim to ensure effective communication and access to council services, whilst also addressing issues surrounding isolation, wellbeing and community inclusion.
“This is a really exciting partnership and launch which is a great step towards involving and supporting an historically under-served community.”
Justin Smith, CEO of the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (CfD), said: “Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (CfD) is delighted to be working in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council to deliver this exciting new project. We aim to reduce loneliness and isolation by bringing deaf and hard of hearing residents together by providing a series of wellbeing events and activities. The project will also bring long-term benefits by acting as a bridge between deaf residents and the council through information sharing, and by improving awareness and access to services.”
