The New Year is a time for reflection and making resolutions, so what better time to answer the call from national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, who are actively seeking volunteers in Exeter to help train adorable VIPs (Very Important Puppies) on their path to becoming fully-fledged hearing dogs. One in six people in the UK suffer with some form of hearing loss and the effects can be devastating. The lack of independence, loss of confidence, reduced self-esteem and feelings of anxiety often lead to loneliness, isolation and often depression. However, fully qualified hearing dogs...
Devon County Council has introduced a new way for users of British Sign Language (BSL) to contact them via a Video Relay Service (VRS). The service, called 'InterpretersLive!', is provided by Sign Solutions.
BSL users can contact the council via the interpreter through a video link. The interpreter relays their conversation with the appropriate person at the Council, by telephone and then signs back the response.
The VRS service is available from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, although the Council’s responses are dependent upon the normal opening hours for a service, which...
National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has announced that it will be launching a brand-new puppy socialising scheme this month in Exeter, appealing for more Volunteers to step forward and help the life-transforming charity. The charity desperately needs more dog lovers to apply to become puppy socialisers and is now seeking volunteers in the area, to care for adorable hearing dog puppies for one year. Volunteers receive full support and guidance from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and will learn to teach the puppy basic obedience skills. Victoria Leedham, Volunteering Manager at...
A much-loved volunteer for national charity Action on Hearing Loss was posthumously awarded the Passion in Action accolade for her dedication to the cause.
Enid Radford, fondly known as D, has been an information stand volunteer for the charity in Exeter since 2008, but she sadly passed away earlier this year.
As a hearing aid user for many years, Enid had a real passion for spreading the charity’s messages about hearing loss, deafness and tinnitus to the wider public.
At Action on Hearing Loss’ Volunteer Awards 2017, an award was presented to Enid’s sister, Vera...
TWO local hairdressers from Hair@The Academy are conquering their fear of heights and taking to the skies to raise money for Exeter Deaf Academy.
Claire Reeves, a hairdressing teacher and Nicky Mills, who volunteers at the salon, will both be leaping from a plane in a sponsored tandem skydive at Dunkeswell airfield, East Devon, on Wednesday 19 July.
Claire, 30, from Exeter, said she decided to raise money for Exeter Deaf Academy after working with students and seeing the opportunities they are offered there.
‘Working here, meeting the Deaf learners and seeing how...
Exeter Deaf Academy have won a nation-wide track and field competition for Deaf schools.
The annual National Deaf Schools Track and Field Sports Day took place on Wednesday 5 July at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Organised by local Deaf school Heathlands, the competition saw 7 schools from across the country come together to compete in a variety of track and field events.
The group of 12 students and 7 members of staff had a long day, setting off from Exeter at 6am to reach the venue.
Teacher Nick Edmunds said; ‘We’re really proud of...
National charity Action on Hearing Loss is urging people to abandon any stereotypes they might have about the 11 million people living with hearing loss in the UK and help bridge the communication gap for Deaf Awareness Week.
According to the charity, more than 900,000 people in the UK are severely deaf; 24,000 use sign language as their main language; and due to our ageing population by 2035 it is estimated that 15.6 million people will have some form of hearing loss.
During this week, May 15 to 21, the charity is asking people to help stop the prejudice that many of those...
Living Options Devon (LOD) is an award winning, Devon-based charity which supports local disabled and Deaf people to live the life they choose.
Over 8,000 disabled and Deaf people benefit from the charity's charitable activities each year.
They include an equipment and support service for people with sensory loss; a Countryside Mobility scheme enabling people with limited mobility to better access the outdoors and a campaigning service for Deaf people who use British Sign Language.
The charity is led and run by disabled and Deaf people and achieved The Best Employer...
Ofsted has praised the “highly personalised care” at a specialist children’s home for Deaf young people at Exeter Deaf Academy.
Exeter Deaf Academy, based on Topsham Road are celebrating the announcement that ‘Progress House’ has been graded ‘Good’ following a recent Ofsted inspection.
Following a thorough two-day inspection of Progress House, the Ofsted report praises how: “Young people benefit from a wide range of positive experiences that support their personal growth and emotional well-being”.
Inspectors judged that the care staff provide “a child friendly and...
Deaf footballers in Exeter hoping to become coaches have been given a £1,000 boost to help pay for sign language interpreters.
Exeter City Football in the Community have a deaf football team known as Exeter City Knights who train weekly and play in monthly Ability Counts tournaments.
Some of the players are keen to become coaches but need support to take the FA courses.
Housebuilder Persimmon Homes South West has stepped in with a £1,000 donation to help pay for two sign language interpreters to translate alongside FA Tutors during the course.
