Open Hand from Deafblind UK - Spring 2019 LoRes
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Regional Roundup: Yorkshire<br />
Meet our Outreach Officer, Andrew, and find out what we’re<br />
up to in Yorkshire!<br />
Welcome Andrew<br />
“Hello, I’m Andrew and it’s my<br />
job to deliver <strong>Deafblind</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
services in West and South<br />
Yorkshire. I joined <strong>Deafblind</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
in June 2018 having worked<br />
and volunteered for hearing<br />
loss charities throughout my<br />
career. In my previous role I<br />
specialised in using technology<br />
to help people remain<br />
independent, so for information<br />
about hearing loops, amplifiers,<br />
alerting systems and all things<br />
technical, I’m your man!<br />
I was born deaf and rely on two<br />
hearing aids but I communicate<br />
through clear<br />
speech –<br />
although I<br />
am qualified<br />
in BSL.<br />
I studied<br />
Social Care<br />
and Deaf<br />
Studies at<br />
university,<br />
where I met my good friend<br />
and <strong>Deafblind</strong> Northern Ireland<br />
Outreach Officer, James.<br />
If there’s anything I can help<br />
you with please do not hesitate<br />
to contact me.”<br />
Calling all volunteers!<br />
We are urgently looking for volunteer<br />
companions to visit or call some of our more<br />
isolated members on a regular basis. This is<br />
truly rewarding and gives some people a rare<br />
chance to interact with others. If you or anyone<br />
you know might be interested in volunteering<br />
with us then please contact us.<br />
Andrew Barnes,<br />
Outreach Officer for<br />
Yorkshire<br />
Preventing<br />
social isolation<br />
in rural areas<br />
Living in a rural area, as many<br />
Yorkshire residents do, means<br />
that opportunities for social<br />
interaction can be more limited<br />
than in larger towns and cities –<br />
but it is just as important.<br />
We would love to hear about<br />
any social groups or clubs that<br />
members in Yorkshire go to<br />
so that we can recommend<br />
these to other people. Also, if<br />
you would like to meet up with<br />
another <strong>Deafblind</strong> <strong>UK</strong> member<br />
in your local area then please<br />
let us know and we will do what<br />
we can to arrange this for you.<br />
People talking<br />
Liz (SRSB), Andrew (<strong>Deafblind</strong><br />
<strong>UK</strong>) and Tracy (SRSB)<br />
Out and<br />
about<br />
We have been working<br />
closely with Sheffield<br />
Royal Society for the Blind<br />
(SRSB) and The Macular<br />
Society to raise awareness<br />
of sight and hearing loss<br />
in the local area. Together,<br />
we have attended some<br />
local events and are busy<br />
planning some activities<br />
for <strong>Deafblind</strong> Awareness<br />
Week in June.<br />
To find out more about<br />
our services in Yorkshire,<br />
contact Andrew Barnes<br />
on 07940 858749.<br />
28 <strong>Open</strong> <strong>Hand</strong><br />
<strong>Open</strong> <strong>Hand</strong> 29
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