New project for people with hearing loss launches in Northern Ireland
A new project which aims to help more people with hearing loss reconnect with their families and communities has launched in Northern Ireland.
Connect Hear NI, led by the UK charity Hearing Link, launched with two celebration events at Belfast Castle and Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen earlier this month.
The UK charity Hearing Link has announced a new initiative in Northern Ireland that will connect and support people living with hearing loss in their own communities.
Volunteers and local organisations, including statutory and voluntary sector partners, joined other guests to find out how the initiative, funded by The Big Lottery Fund will support people with hearing loss and their families in their local communities.
Sarah Lynch, Connect Hear NI Project Manager, said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many people along to the celebration events for our Connect Hear NI project which is funded by The Big Lottery Fund.
“Our five-year project is set to be a key support mechanism for people with hearing loss in Northern Ireland, right from the start of their hearing journey. Through our volunteers, who have experience of hearing loss themselves, they will be able to access existing support and learn new ways to embrace experiences they are normally excluded from.
“We look forward to bringing our support to local communities over the next five years.”
Connect Hear NI will be led and shaped by volunteers. There are three key themes to the project which is funded by The Big Lottery Fund:
- Start Hear – to address the needs of those newly diagnosed with hearing loss or those affected longer term who would benefit from additional support
- Meet Hear – encouraging people to come together with peers to share experiences and consider ways of improving access to all aspects of social and community life
- Learn Hear – offering training and educational opportunities both in relation to managing hearing loss and helping people engage in meaningful education and employment
To find out more about Connect Hear NI, email northernireland@hearinglink.org or call 07950 371095 for more information.
Hearing Link is a UK charity which provides information and support for people with hearing loss, their families and friends.
For more information about Hearing Link activities in Northern Ireland visit: https://www.hearinglink.org/connect/hearing-link-northern-ireland/.
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
Lorna Armstrong, Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: lorna.armstrong@hearinglink.org
Tel/SMS: 07508 817899
Notes to Editors
Photograph 1: Celebration event at for Connect Hear NI at Belfast Castle
Photograph 2: Hearing Link volunteers celebrate launch of Connect Hear NI at Enniskillen
About Hearing Link
Hearing Link is a UK charity for people who have developed any level of hearing loss and their family and friends. It provides information and support and puts them in contact with others who have similar experiences. It aims to give people the knowledge, skills, confidence and contacts so they can more easily manage the practical and emotional challenges that hearing loss brings. It works across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information, visit http://www.hearinglink.org
Hearing Link is a trading name of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 1964878) and registered as a charity in England and Wales (number 293358) and in Scotland (number SC040486).