DURHAM DEAFENED SUPPORT

Jane Atkinson lost her hearing suddenly over 25 years ago. She lost contact with family, friends and neighbours. She describes herself as a ‘hearing person without hearing’. Realising very little support was available to her she started looking to what she could do to help other people as well as herself, and so Durham Deafened Support was born. First registered as a charity under the name EDDHIS in 1998 and only covering East Durham. The charity now supports deafened adults and their families throughout the whole of County Durham and Darlington.

At the very beginning, the charity was run from Jane’s own sitting room and financed mostly by small funding pots. She instigated the first lip reading support group in Peterlee for local deafened and acquired funding for this. Durham Deafened Support now runs 11 such groups across the County with qualified lip-reading teachers.

Now Durham Deafened Support employs a proactive team, everyone they meet with hearing difficulties they are dedicated to help and have the respect of many other support organisations. Audiologists, Doctors and Social Services all refer people to Durham Deafened Support. It is a very unique service DDS offers. Sometimes the deafened people the team at DDS have met have not had a decent conversation for years. Communication tactic training can also be given to families to help them too, trying to stop family conflict.

They are a small team at DDS, having an administrator/ finance person, funding/finance person and 4 outreach workers, trustees and volunteers who help support Dealing with Deafness non-residential weeks. They have crafts for deafened and deaf/blind, tinnitus support, 1:1 support in people’s homes, tai chi, yoga and more. Always looking for other ways to encourage deafened people out of their comfort zones and out of the isolation associated with deafness, always looking for other support networks and information to help deafened people.

Durham Deafened Support are based in Horden Social Welfare Centre, Seventh Street, Horden. Hearing aid batteries are available during office hours. You can contact us by telephone: 0191 5183358 or email: admin@ddsupport.org.uk

HORDEN WELCOMES A NEW MEN’S GROUP

Horden Together caught up with Malcolm, known locally as Mally, to discuss his new Men’s Group ‘Mally’s Man Club’

Mally explained “I got the idea of forming the group from an old poster advertising a men’s group that had ceased due to Covid-19 and saw an opportunity to start my own. Initially the group was scheduled to run fortnightly to see how it went but attendance steadily grew so we changed the group to a weekly session”.

Mally continued “establishing the group has given me a real sense of empowerment and I’m grateful to give something back to the community, as a regular at Horden Salvation Army it seemed a no brainer to host the group there and they have been extremely supportive in helping me establish the group. The hardest part is taking that initial step through the door but once you do there is a community ready to welcome you. As the logo says, “Talking is a Victory””.

The group meet every Wednesday 6:30pm8:30pm at Horden Salvation Army the group is for men aged over 18 years. If you would like an informal chat with Mally you can contact him on 07496 828 136

Horden Together Welcome New Staff Member

Hello readers, I’m Gemma Rowe and I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Community Engagement Coordinator for Horden Together. Some of you may recognise me as a resident of Horden and having worked at Horden Parish Council for a number of years.

I started my role with the Horden Together team in April this year and I’m excited to bring all my knowledge of all things Horden to the role.

When I’m not at work I like walking to the beach (weather permitting!), going to gym, volunteering, and spending time with my very spoiled cat.

If you’re interested in learning more about Horden Together and their work or would like a conversation about volunteering, the Horden Together Newspaper or collaborating on a project or activity then please get in touch at Gemma.Rowe@durham.gov.uk

Whilst you’re reading the Newspaper why not check out the weekly activities and pop along to a group or activity, I look forward to seeing you at a group soon!

REFURBISHMENT & UPGRADE THORPE ROAD CEMETERY WALL & FENCING