Healthier Lives for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Project
15 February 2010
This 5 year Big Lottery funded project, is lead by RNID and partnered by EGSA and the Employers Forum for Disability. All the local Health Trusts are also supporting the work.
The project will reach out to deaf and hard of hearing people across Northern Ireland, offering one to one guidance on learning and employment opportunities. It will also encourage participation in health events and physical and leisure activity groups. It is open to all deaf and hard of hearing people aged 16 and over throughout Northern Ireland.
The project aims to improve the quality of life and opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people. The aim is that clients will:
1. Have better access to employment, learning and the world of work
2. Know more about health issues, leisure and physical and mental well-being
3. Receive information and guidance that will help clients to improve their confidence and develop their skills
RNID will work with EGSA to enable people who are deaf and hard of hearing to access mainstream learning in their communities, with some focus on essential skills (literacy, numeracy and IT).
The services that will be provided include:
- One-to-one guidance with a guidance adviser who will provide them with information on certain courses or careers and develop individual action plans with them
- Various health and leisure events organised by RNID
- Careers events for school pupils (year ten to year thirteen)
- Short courses on healthy living, employability skills and life skills
- Accessible information, including leaflets on accessing health services and finance and debt management
The Guidance Adviser for the project, Roisin Linden, is based in EGSA and is accessible to groups and individuals throughout Northern Ireland. She can be contacted on T: 028 9024 4274, or E: roisin.linden@egsa.org.uk.
The three Employment Advisers for the project, based in RNID, are also accessible throughout Northern Ireland and can be reached on Telephone: 028 9032 1733 or Email: etssni@rnid.org.uk
