Tuesday evening classes at a local lipreading group in Andover will continue thanks to a £1,500 donation from healthcare provider Simplyhealth.
The funds will go towards covering the costs of the qualified tutor for one year.
Andover Lipreaders exist to provide deaf and hard of hearing people with lipreading tuition and practical advice on how to manage their day to day activities in a hearing world.
Taking part in the classes will enable people to understand why some words appear similar and will help them to differentiate between lip shapes, facial expressions, body language and context.
Barrie Wickens, from Andover Lipreaders comments: “The donation from Simplyhealth is wonderful as it has saved a complete class for the next academic year; however we still need extra funding to enable us to continue with our other classes.”
“Lipreading is a vital communication for those who experience hearing loss. The classes not only offer invaluable skills but also provide a place where members can meet and mix with others in similar situations. Each year we assist almost 40 deafened people in the community to improve social and business interaction.”
Mark Hamson, spokesperson for Simplyhealth says: “We are delighted to be able to support this group. It’s great that the lipreading lessons will allow people in Andover and surrounding villages the chance to develop skills which will enrich their lives.”
It is estimated that more than 10 million (one in six) people in the UK have some degree of hearing impairment or deafness[1]. Lipreading classes are designed to give pupils the confidence and skills to tackle the isolation experienced by people with hearing loss[2]. Andover lip reading classes run in three, ten week terms, from early October to December; early January to March, and from April to the end of June.
In support of National Lipreading Awareness Week the group will be hosting free lipreading taster sessions at Andover Library between 10am – 11am on Monday 8 September and Friday 12 September.
For more information on lipreading classes, visit www.hearinglink.org/andover-lipreaders.
Simplyhealth has active community funds in four of its locations, Andover, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester, which exist to support charities and organisations in the local community.
To contact the Andover community fund please email debbie.clarke@simplyhealth.co.uk.
Visit Simplyhealth’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/simplyhealthuk or follow us on Twitter @SimplyhealthUK to find out more on how the company works with local and national charities.
