BUILDING BRIDGES for DeafBlind People

Since introducing our project in the May issue of the NLDEN Newsletter, we have been working on the development and structure of our services to ensure access for all people within BME communities. During the summer the Project Team have taken part in several key multicultural events, including the London Rise, Asian Mela and Chinese Dragon Boat Day. We shall be at the Deaf Ethic Cultural Mela later this month and Global Peace Day in November. Taking part in such events has enabled us to make links with many people and encouraged considerable interest in Deafblind awareness talks and demonstrations.

The focus of the project is to improve services currently available from Deafblind UK by working with those from BME groups . We need to identify also people amongst these groups who are family carers and others who help and support someone who has dual sensory loss or impairment. In addition, we hope to increase the number of volunteers to widen our current Befriender scheme.

On November 26 we shall be holding the second of our Workshop Days when we shall welcome participants from BME Communities who maybe potential Deafblind UK members, those who care and support them plus those considering volunteering opportunitites. Anyone interested in further information should contact us as soon as possible as places are limited.

Please email:
doreen.wadham@deafblind.org.uk or geoff.wadham@deafblind.org.uk

Telephone: 07940 831709

Or write to:
Doreen & Geoff Wadham, BME Project Officers, Deafblind UK, Cygnet Road, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8FD