The BDA has received £397,967 from the Big Lottery Fund to enhance the ability and confidence of deaf people to overcome disadvantage faced in achieving the same life outcomes as hearing people.
Running in targeted areas of London and the East Midlands, the Advocacy and Empowerment Pilot Project for Deaf Individuals will run 27 advice sessions in each region.disadvantage faced in achieving the same life outcomes as hearing people.
Set to be rolled out over three years, the project will see 12 volunteer advocates in each region deliver tailored one-to-one advocate support and drop-in surgeries. This will also include best practice sessions to a range of service providers.
Volunteers will be trained by two project officers operating out of London and Derby. The training will enable volunteers to become certified advocates, enabling them to work with other Deaf people who need advocacy.
The aim is to ensure that the most vulnerable Deaf people are supported when contacting public services.
BDA’s Business Development Manager, Paul Redfern said: “We are thrilled to have received this funding. It will enable us to support those most at need who have found their traditional means of support from social services disappearing.
“We will be able to train Deaf people to be volunteer advocates, who can then support those vulnerable Deaf people. Our thanks goes to the Big Lottery Fund for recognising this area of acute need.”
To find out more email:
Paul Redfern – Business Development Manager – bdm.waleseng@bda.org.uk
