BID Services with Deaf people are launching a new Supporting People Service for the profoundly Deaf community in County Durham.
The new service, that provides support to vulnerable Deaf people in a number of areas including housing related issues, health and wellbeing, budgeting and money management, training and employment and advice and help to enable moving to an appropriate property, has been established to enable Deaf people to live independently.
In addition to the high level of support the new Supporting People Service will help to break down existing communication barriers that prevent access to information and support as all of the staff use British Sign Language as the primary means of communication. This will make communication between support workers and service users more fluid and effective; something that is considered to be essential for service delivery.
“This is the first service of its type in County Durham and is a real positive for the Deaf community. I am Deaf and have Deaf friends in the local area and we all know how difficult it can be to get information and support because of the communication barriers and a lack of understanding about Deafness.
“Being able to access information through BSL will take the frustration out of communication, but more importantly Deaf people who require support will have better access to support that will help to maintain independence and quality of life.” Said Lee Elliot, Support Worker for BID.
The service, which is now taking referrals, is made up of three support Workers, Lee Elliot, Dorothy Forster, Margaret Bain and Senior Support Worker Zara Kelly who are all looking forward to working with the community.
“The most important thing about this type of service is being able to work within the community effectively. For this to happen you need to have the right knowledge, communication skills and staff. The team we have put in place have all of these and we know that we can really make a difference through the support we can provide.” Commented Zara Kelly, Senior Support Worker.
BID are encouraging any Deaf people who feel they could benefit from this new service to get in touch and are hoping to link with a number of different organisations throughout County Durham area to raise awareness of the service.
To find out more information please contact:
Telephone / Minicom: 0845 678 9880
Email: info@durhamsp.co.uk
ENDS
For more information on this story to arrange an interview please contact:
Anthony Beeby
Campaigns Manager
BID Services with Deaf people
Tel: 0121 450 7749
Email: anthony.beeby@bid.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
About BID Services with Deaf People:
BID works to support the Deaf community in the West Midlands. It has travelled a long way from its modest beginnings in the latter part of the 19th Century, when its prime function was "to provide relief to Deaf people and attend to their spiritual needs".
BID has developed a reputation for providing innovative, high quality services to meet the many and varied needs of Deaf people. Today BID provides Care Management, Deaf Awareness, Support & Advice, Interpreting Services, Youth Work, and Equipment Sales amongst a growing portfolio of services.
Successful partnership and funding arrangements have been developed with colleges, housing associations, trusts, businesses and other organisations, which has helped BID to become more effective in pursuing its aims and objectives.
But still BID depends to a large extent upon private and voluntary donations to continue its work. Whether it's providing toys and videos for young Deaf children, or supporting Deaf people through interpreting or advocacy, we still need help – contact the Fundraising Department on 0121 246 6100 for information on how you can help.