Doncaster-based Tunstall Healthcare has partnered with Doncaster Deaf Trust to invest in the local community and support deaf and hearing-impaired people through a number of new projects, set to take place throughout the year.
According to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), there at least 50,000 deaf children in the UK and 12 million adults with hearing loss of greater than 25 dBHL, a figure which they estimate will rise to around 14.2 million by 2035. An RNID report found that 70 percent of respondents felt that hearing loss sometimes prevented them from fulfilling their potential at work and another RNID survey found that 35 percent of business leaders didn’t feel confident about employing someone with hearing loss.
The work of Doncaster Deaf Trust
Doncaster Deaf Trust is a registered charity that has been helping young, deaf people reach their potential through education for 190 years, beginning as the Yorkshire Residential School for the Deaf. The trust has overseen the development of a nursery, school, college and residential home, to allow deaf children to be supported throughout their education.
Doncaster Deaf Trust also manages an employment unit which provides specialist employability services for adults. As well as their innovative work with those who are deaf and hearing impaired, the trust also provides a wide range of services for those with other physical disabilities and learning difficulties.
Planting a partnership
The first new project saw Tunstall Healthcare, alongside Whitley Parish Council, work with the gardening team from Communication Specialist College, part of Doncaster Deaf Trust, to secure over 100 plants which have been grown at the Trust’s gardens. Volunteers from Tunstall Healthcare collected the plants and planted them in planters which are on show across the village.
Tunstall Healthcare works with a number of local schools, and local and national charitable organisations to support and improve the lives of thousands of people across the UK. Managing director Gavin Bashar praised the project for allowing them “the opportunity to beautify the local area through the planters, but also to engage with Communication Specialist College Doncaster and support their students in securing recognised, accredited qualifications”. He added that they look forward to continuing to work with local organisations to contribute to the community.
Providing Opportunities
Doncaster Deaf Trust’s Communication Specialist College offers a wide range of programmes for students who want to gain vocational qualifications as well as develop their independence and Personal and Social Development skills. Alexis Johnson, executive principal at the trust, commented on the importance of collaborative projects like this, saying, “It’s our mission to advance education, training and care for deaf and hearing-impaired children and adults, and being given opportunities like this where our students can support their local community is really important”.
Like many charities, Doncaster Deaf Trust relies heavily on fundraising and donations to be able to provide their services, you can find out more about how to help here.
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