New Outreach Project launched

Zebra Access is delighted to have secured Know Your Neighbourhood Fund for the next 2 years commencing from May 2023 and have recruited Honor Whiteside as our new Outreach Officer for this project. 

This project will provide a scheme of several hearing-loss-related activities for the Deafened and Hard of Hearing community by offering the following free support and services: 

• Lipreading classes 
• Basic and advanced British Sign Language (BSL) taster classes 
• ‘Living and Learning with Hearing Loss’ workshops 
• Visits to historical places of interest, conservation, and heritage 
• Women/Men’s Health Project workshops 
• Arts and Crafts 
• Advocacy/IAG support re: benefit entitlements 
• Counselling/Therapy sessions with a Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafened specialists 

There will be opportunities for participants to help out with activities as volunteers for both this project and others within Zebra Access’ services. 

Chris Beech, Project Development Manager, said: 'It is a fantastic opportunity to build on the foundations that we have laid over the last 6 years by expanding the services we offer to the Hard of Hearing and Deafened people of all ages who cannot sign and equally cannot access the hearing society due to difficult communication barriers. Over the past few years there have been an increasing demand for this kind of support which often results in the affected person's wellbeing detoriating to an extent that they lose their confidence and ability to socialise, work or even partake in family conversations. This can be prevented by raising awareness and providing support to those affected and their families alongside with training, workshops and peer support groups. There is a massive issue nationally as highlighted in recent programme on BBC1 called 'Signs for change' starring Rose Ayling-Ellis. We are excited to see how this will develop over the next 2 years. We cannot thank the National Lottery Community Fund enough for this opportunity'.