Useful Local & National Contacts for Professionals & Students working with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind People who live in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
LOCAL SERVICES:
DEAFvibe UK
DEAFvibe is a deaf-led Charity run by Trustees and Volunteers who support deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind people living in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as well as professionals who work with this client group. DEAFvibe were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2014 for recognition of their work to the community who aim to deliver services that are Equal, Fair and Accessible. DEAFvibe’s philosophy is For Deaf People, With Deaf People, By Deaf people. DEAFvibe have a range of services such as monthly Café, twice-month drop in sessions which includes trying out equipment before you buy, one-to-one support sessions in coping with a hearing loss, support with hearing aids and maintenance. Training courses are available such as Deaf Awareness Training, British Sign Language courses, BSL for Leisure, Tinnitus Support, Lipreading classes. All courses can be personalised to suit the unique needs of your organisation.
Contacts:
Postal address: DEAFvibe, Suite 21, 2-4 Beaumont Road, Tunstall, Stoke on Trent ST6 6BE
Base: Bradwell Lodge Community Centre, Bradwell Lane, Porthill, Newcastle under Lyme ST5 8PS
Text (SMS) / Tel: 07923 489800
Email: info@deafvibe.co.uk
Website: www.deafvibe.co.uk
NHS Digital Hearing Aids, Batteries and Re-tubing
All referrals must go via the individual’s Doctor. Individuals can be signposted to the twice monthly DEAFvibe HUB (on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month) for support and advice on hearing aids and maintenance prior to seeing the GP for advice and guidance. Some of the services listed below have Community Clinics in various locations.
NHS Hearing Aid Services available via GP:
- Hearing & Balance Clinic – University Hospital of North Midlands (NHS)
- Specsavers NHS Hearing Aid Service*
The above NHS Service* also has a private hearing aid service attached.
Staffordshire Cares (Adult Social Care for Staffordshire Residents only):
Rehabilitation Officers for Deaf / Deafblind People are based all around Staffordshire who work with deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind children and adults. If you live in Staffordshire and are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind, you can refer the individual to the Social Care Team within Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Partnership NHS Trust. Advice and Support is available to ensure deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind people have access to information enabling them to make decisions in their own lives and to maintain their own independence and safety in their own homes.
Contacts:
Tel: 0300 111 8014
Minicom: 01785 276207
Text (SMS): 07814 194111
Email: staffordshirecares@staffordshire.gov.uk
Website: www.staffordshirecares.info
Stoke on Trent Adult Social Care (for Stoke-on-Trent Residents only):
Rehabilitation Officer for Deaf / Deafblind People are based in Stoke-on-Trent who works with deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind children and adults. If you live in Stoke-on-Trent and are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind, you can refer the individual to the Adult Social Care Team within Stoke on Trent City Council. Advice and Support is available to ensure deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind people have access to information enabling them to make decisions in their own lives and to maintain their own independence and safety in their own homes.
Contacts:
Tel: 0800 561 0015
Email: social.care@stoke.gov.uk
Website: stoke.gov.uk
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS)
SFRS have a Specialist Deaf Team of Technicians who are trained to work with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind people in the community to ensure that they receive home fire risk assessments (HFRA) and provision of specialist smoke alarms for deaf people if they are unable to hear standard smoke alarms. If professionals or students identify someone in the Community who is at risk of fire or not hearing the fire alarm within their own home, you can refer to the Specialist Deaf Team.
Contacts:
Tel: 0800 0241 999
Text (SMS): 07528 983101
Website: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/hfrc.asp
Book a HFRA via www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/bookyourhfrc.asp
Staffordshire BSL Interpreters (Freelance)
A website recommending Freelance British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters based in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent region. This website is a quick and convenient way for you to contact qualified, registered British Sign Language Interpreters who live locally.
Contacts:
Email: staffordshirebslinterpreters@gmail.com
Website: www.staffordshirebslinterpreters.uk
Staffordshire Assist (Interpreting / Translation Services)
Staffordshire Assist provides services for deaf people, those with visual impairments and people with an Autism Spectrum Condition. Interpreters are used at various medical settings, conferences, meetings and in legal settings. Access to documentation is provided through interpretation and translation (BSL, Braille, Moon and Audio).
Contacts:
Telephone: 01785 356835
Text (SMS): 07816 316297
Email: assist@staffordshire.gov.uk
Website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/education/ASSIST/
dDeaflinks Staffordshire
dDeaflinks Staffordshire is a non-statutory registered charity offering services to dDeaf people throughout Staffordshire. Information and advice is available on a wide range of issues. There is a Communication Support Unit which supplies Interpreting and Communication Support Services to deaf, hard of hearing people and deafblind people who need to assess a wide range of services in the community.
Contacts:
Telephone: 01782 219161
Minicom: 01782 281125
Email: admin@deaflinks.co.uk
Website: deaflinksstaffordshire.com
CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) UK & Ireland
CODA are a Community Interest Company (CIC) aiming to provide Support, Information and Guidance to CODA’s of all ages and the wider community including Professionals & Organisations, Deaf Parents & Families, Students & Researchers. CODA is a user-led company who are focussed on planning events, activities and development of projects to benefit CODA’s around the UK and Ireland of various age groups.
Contacts:
Direct Contact: 07734 351298
Email: info@codaukireland.co.uk
Website: www.codaukireland.co.uk
Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire Deaf Children’s Society (SNSDCS)
SNSDCS is a local group run by parents and carers of deaf children, working together with local health and education professionals. They support families with children or young people who are affected by hearing impairments, ranging from mild to profound deafness – whether temporary or permanent. They run a series of clubs and events throughout the year.
Contacts:
Email: stokeandnstaffs@ndcsgroup.org.uk
