Miss-Delectable
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South London's deaf community was today welcoming the launch of the UK's first health and skills centre for the hard of hearing.
Sign, an organisation promoting well-being and independence amongst deaf people, unveiled The Bridge, in Balham, which offers vocational training courses, a business advisory service, a cafe, leisure activities, fitness classes and a meeting point for sign-language users.
A deaf person is four times more likely to be unemployed than someone who can hear. With this in mind, the centre has set up paid training placements to build self esteem and help deaf people develop the skills they need to find work.
Manager of The Bridge, Morgan Phillips, said: "As the name suggests, we see ourselves as bridging the gap for deaf people who want to work but lack the skills or confidence to do so.
"The plan is for the cafe to become a self-supporting business and it is already doing really well with several orders from businesses in the area.
"Our trainees are improving in leaps and bounds - they love the friendly, lively atmosphere and often drop by on their days off to socialise in the cafe."
Around 40% of deaf people will suffer mental health problems compared to one in four people with hearing. This is often due to the isolation and alienation they feel as a result of deafness.
However, the Bridge aims to improve the mental and physical well-being of deaf people in the area through its programme of activities, such as yoga, art classes, trips to the countryside and classes on health and nutrition.
Joanna Wootten, deputy chief executive of Sign, said: "At Sign, we want to provide deaf people with at least the basic tools to give them a fighting chance in everyday life.
"The Bridge's innovative approach is an exciting new pilot project, which we would be keen to replicate nationwide if it proves a success."
All staff at the centre can communicate in British sign language and most are deaf.
For more information about The Bridge visit www.signcharity.org.uk, email admin@sign-bridge.org.uk, or call Morgan Phillips on 020 8673 9922 (voice) 020 8673 9944 (text) 020 8673 9955 (fax).
South London's deaf community was today welcoming the launch of the UK's first health and skills centre for the hard of hearing.
Sign, an organisation promoting well-being and independence amongst deaf people, unveiled The Bridge, in Balham, which offers vocational training courses, a business advisory service, a cafe, leisure activities, fitness classes and a meeting point for sign-language users.
A deaf person is four times more likely to be unemployed than someone who can hear. With this in mind, the centre has set up paid training placements to build self esteem and help deaf people develop the skills they need to find work.
Manager of The Bridge, Morgan Phillips, said: "As the name suggests, we see ourselves as bridging the gap for deaf people who want to work but lack the skills or confidence to do so.
"The plan is for the cafe to become a self-supporting business and it is already doing really well with several orders from businesses in the area.
"Our trainees are improving in leaps and bounds - they love the friendly, lively atmosphere and often drop by on their days off to socialise in the cafe."
Around 40% of deaf people will suffer mental health problems compared to one in four people with hearing. This is often due to the isolation and alienation they feel as a result of deafness.
However, the Bridge aims to improve the mental and physical well-being of deaf people in the area through its programme of activities, such as yoga, art classes, trips to the countryside and classes on health and nutrition.
Joanna Wootten, deputy chief executive of Sign, said: "At Sign, we want to provide deaf people with at least the basic tools to give them a fighting chance in everyday life.
"The Bridge's innovative approach is an exciting new pilot project, which we would be keen to replicate nationwide if it proves a success."
All staff at the centre can communicate in British sign language and most are deaf.
For more information about The Bridge visit www.signcharity.org.uk, email admin@sign-bridge.org.uk, or call Morgan Phillips on 020 8673 9922 (voice) 020 8673 9944 (text) 020 8673 9955 (fax).