Nicholas’ service update – May 2024

Community Events in Deaf Awareness Week  

Barclays  

Earlier in the year we were contacted by the staff group at Barclays bank who organise help and support for their deaf colleagues. One staff member had seen the Helpful Hours webinar and wanted other colleagues to benefit and to widen knowledge of our services within the company by creating a bespoke event. 

The result was a peer support information stand at two company sites in Glasgow and Knutsford, Cheshire.  We were joined by hearing dog partnerships, helping to attract wider interest and also to raise funds for the Charity. Each session was open for 2 hours, with the online webinar running simultaneously.  

Over 80 staff visited our stand, many asking for support and advice for loved-ones. May reported “We had many significant peer support conversations.”

With over 20 additional people attending the webinar, it was felt to be a really successful day. Many thanks to volunteers Barry, Keith, May, Margaret, Sylvia, Julia, Brenda, Judy and hearing dog Zara!  

Devon  

Thanks to Peer support volunteer Ailsa who attended a Hearing Information Day organised by a Devon sensory services team. 

Ailsa reported that: “The stand was just right. The leaflets were popular, but the magazine was the hot favourite and visitors to the stand were well into double figures.”

Included in that number was the Senior Audiologist from Plymouth who wrote to us to say: “I met one of your volunteers last week. She reminded me of the services you provide for people with hearing loss. I have shared this with my team, and we would like to have some of your leaflets so we can tell our patients about Hearing Link Services. Many thanks.” 

Bristol  

Peer support volunteer Duncan ran our information stand at the Bristol Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People event. It was a busy day with nearly 40 attendees coming up to the stand for help and information.

Hearing Support Sessions 

Our sessions in May are running right to the end of the month, so I don’t have all the details at this time. However, this month we have hosted the clinical and community sessions in Edinburgh, two in London, one near Glasgow and one more in Worcester. With one service still to take place, eight volunteers have helped over 70 people already. 

Many thanks again to volunteers Merleen, Paul, Mary, Alison, Elaine, Catherine, Beryl and Kirsty for volunteering your time and experience. Special thanks to Catherine for attending both Edinburgh sessions.

Helpdesk 

At the time of writing, this there is still a week to go before the end of the month, but already 20 enquiries have been resolved by 17 different volunteer responders.   

Teams 

It’s great to see the continued engagement on the Teams channel. If you haven’t been to Hearing Link Services Volunteer Group then you are missing out on a great way to stay connected and support each other. With an average of one new post every two days, it’s well worth checking in regularly.