Deaf services Action for Deafness gives valuable support to Deaf BSL users and Deaf oral people. Gerry Turton has now relinquished her role as Worthing Services Manager to give her more time to focus on AFD’s profoundly Deaf service users. Some profoundly Deaf clients have been encouraged to see one of our audiologists to explore the possibilities of the most modern hearing aids which use advanced technology. One gentleman who had not worn hearing aids for more than 50 years was surprised and delighted to find that he now gets some benefit from his new aids.
We have some exciting plans for 2015 A new weekly Coffee Morning will be held at AFD 51 Rowlands Road in Worthing every Tuesday morning from 10 February onwards. It will be an opportunity for those from the Deaf Community to get together, have a coffee and to share news and ideas.
Deaf Services To mark Deaf Awareness Week (4-10 May) there will be a Coffee Morning at AFD’s Head Office in Haywards Heath on Wednesday 6 May from 10.30-12.30am. Everyone is welcome. AFD recently recruited some new volunteers with BSL skills. These volunteers visit and befriend Deaf people to help reduce isolation. The Sussex Deaf Forum meets at AFD’s head office on the second Thursday evening of every month. The meetings are always well attended. Speakers at the last few meetings gave talks on Access to Work, Deaf Hope and Battle of the Bulge (fitness). Forthcoming meetings will include topics on CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and West Sussex Hate Crime Victim Support Service. AFD Burgess Hill Deaf Darby and Joan Club continues to meet monthly to play UNO, Card Eight, Dominoes and Bingo. There is a raffle each month.
Members of AFD’s Burgess Hill Deaf Darby & Joan Club enjoyed a Christmas lunch at Jeremy’s restaurant, Borde Hill.
Do you have any ideas for provision of services for profoundly Deaf people? Please contact Gerry Turton gerry@actionfordeafness.org.uk
Sussex Deaf Forum Since its formation in September, the Sussex Deaf Forum has had a very successful 6 months. We have had consistently good attendance, with as many as 52 people in November, for an interesting and informative presentation on Access to Work. Other topics that have been covered include; BSL Healthy Minds, Action for Deafness, Police, Deafhope and Battle of the Bulge. Our December meeting was great fun with a Deaf quiz and Christmas buffet. In February we have presentations on the Crawley, Horsham & Mid Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group and Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), in March, the West Sussex Hate Crime Victim Support Group will present. More information can be found on previous and future events, under the Events tab on www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk There is communication access for all with BSL/English interpreters and a STTR/ENT in attendance and full disabled access to the meeting room. Our aim is to enable D/deaf
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people to come together, socialise and be able to find out information on a range of topics. This is your forum and if there are any subjects that interest you, then please let me know and I will be happy to arrange a presentation. The Sussex Deaf Forum is looking for committee members. We are all volunteers and would welcome assistance. If you feel you can help out, please contact me at office@bsl-link4comm.co.uk The Sussex Deaf Forum runs on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, doors open at 6.30pm. More information can be found under the Events tab on www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk I look forward to seeing you at one of the events. Stewart Bailey, Facilitator