Nicholas’ service update
Another month of excellent support has been delivered across the country. In no particular order, here’s how September went!
Helpdesk
A bumper month on the Helpdesk with 42 enquiries started or completed in September. Interestingly, while 78% of enquiries were ‘for themselves’, 12% were made on behalf of a friend, family member or neighbour.
In all, 20 of our fabulous peer support volunteers responded to enquiries, with 21% of cases asking financial questions, 12% covering technology, and 10% asking about lipreading classes.
We can see from one enquirer that when stories about deafness and hearing loss are in the media, this can help people make the first step towards seeking advice and support.
“Good morning, I’ve just seen a piece about Lipreading classes on BBC1 this morning. I am hearing impaired and awaiting a hearing support dog but I need help lipreading. Are there any classes in Exmouth, Devon or nearby? As we have the Deaf School at Exmouth I’m sure there are many people who would be interested. Many thanks.”
Huge thanks to all the peer volunteer responders in September for their support and contributions!
LinkUps
Our home, The Grange, hosted September’s LinkUp support group. We had 15 participants booked on, with nearly half bringing a hearing partner.
Team Leader Holly summarised the weekend.
“It was a brilliant weekend, right from the meet and greet on Friday everyone chatted and gelled almost instantly. The connections continued through the weekend with lots of information, thoughts and feelings being shared.”
A huge thank-you and well done to the wonderful team running this event, with peer support volunteers James, Merleen and Paul, alongside advisors May, Claire and Sue.
A few of the words shared at the end of the weekend were:
- Supportive
- Humbling
- Empowering
- A learning curve
With one participant writing in shortly after to say:
“I found the weekend very tiring and at times very emotional but also very informative. I especially want to thank James, as at times if it were not for him I think my anxiety would have resulted in me leaving, he was understanding and extremely helpful, so please pass on my thanks and apologies for dissolving into tears on him after the Sunday morning break out group. Thank you to everyone.”
Many thanks again to the team for another great success..👏👏
Community Outreach
We increased to seven sessions this month with an overall reach of 50 people helped directly, in-person through our community hearing support sessions.
Thank you to the nine excellent volunteers who braved the rain to deliver 32 hours of service to others.
Special mention this month to peer support volunteer Sylvia, who after a successful test run alongside volunteers Angela, Jeff and hearing dog Shyla, launched our new monthly drop-in service in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
By teaming up with the local sensory support team, who are carrying out hearing aid maintenance and repairs, we are providing an excellent complementary service.
Sylvia reported, “I had some really good chats with seven beneficiaries, two of whom had partners present and six of them took away services literature. It’s certainly a not-to-be-missed opportunity to raise awareness of our hearing link services. As the repair slots are only 10 minutes this gives people an opportunity to get more support whether before or after their appointment.”
Good luck to Sylvia, Jeff and Angela in the coming months!
Community Days
Thank you to all the volunteers providing information to attendees at September’s three Community Days in Darlington, Guildford and Cupar (Fife).
Do get in touch if you are free to attend on any of the upcoming day:
- October: 5 – Northampton, 28 – Severn Beach, 31 – Reading
- November: 9 – Norwich, 20 – Belfast, 27 – Liverpool, 29 – York
- December: 3 – Worcester, 6 – Oxford, 6 – Lewes
Your reassuring presence is an excellent introduction to all we can offer in terms of support and advice. It’s also an excellent opportunity to work alongside our partnership instructor colleagues – many thanks in advance if you can help.