East Sussex Hearing
Winter 2020/21 Newsletter
SEASONS GREETINGS!
Our lovely new Eastbourne Centre!
As winter approaches we are hopeful that the New Year will bring good news for everyone… turn over to find out more about our hopes and plans for 2021
Registered Charity No: 1101140 Hello from your CEO David Rowan Well, what an eventful year it has been. It started off like most New Year’s do, very quiet. Then, in mid-February we started to hear of cases of a new virus in China that was initially thought to be localised and similar to the SARS virus of 2003. It quickly became apparent that this was a completely different virus and far more infectious. Within a matter of weeks, the virus had spread beyond China and we ultimately ended up with the Coronavirus pandemic that has gone on to effect most, if not all countries in the world. We then went into our first 12-week lockdown and our Centre had to close its doors to the public for the very first time. All our outreach activities were cancelled including lipreading and sign language classes, support groups and our hearing aid maintenance service. However, a skeleton staff continued to work from the office providing vital support and information to clients by telephone, text and email. We also started our new “hearing aid batteries by post” service which we have continued to provide ever since, and will carry on doing until a more ‘normal’ life returns. However, this year has not been all doom and gloom. It was towards the end of the first lockdown that we realised we wouldn’t be able to resume our classes and equipment demonstrations from St Leonards Road because of the new covid distancing requirements and so we took the
2 plunge and moved into new, bright, comfortable and spacious premises in Chantry House, just a short walk from St Leonards Road. We have also changed the name of the Charity to more accurately reflect the work that we now do as we are no longer just a resource centre. The final piece of the jigsaw will be our new logo which we hope to launch early in the New Year. Our 4 new members of staff: Carina (Tech Team Co-ordinator), Mark and Jon (Client Support Technicians) and Amber (our apprentice Business Administrator) have settled in well… turn to page 5 to find out more about Amber. That just about brings you up to date with all that has happened throughout the year. All that remains now is to wish you all a safe, very Merry Christmas and to send our Best Wishes for 2021. We look forward to seeing you all in 2021. David Rowan - CEO
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A Message from our Board of Trustees May I start by wishing you all a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2021. This wretched Virus has held us all back this year, but let’s hope things will start to improve soon and all our volunteers and outreach workers can resume their very necessary and much-appreciated activities. Our new spacious premises are already proving helpful in enabling us to continue providing our sign language and lipreading classes and will help us to further expand our services in the New Year. Please keep well and take care and thank you again for all your support for our Charity. Best Regards Virginia Le Croissette, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Are you deaf or hard of hearing? Lipspeakers are professional, qualified hearing people who facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people. For more information about your local Sussex Lipspeakers contact:
Carol: 07977 759599 / [email protected] Jules: 07711 543132 / [email protected]
4 Let’s meet our new apprentice Amber Amber joined us at the beginning of November to begin a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship. She has settled in really well and is proving to be a brilliant new addition to our team. Let’s find out more about Amber and why she has chosen to join our Charity... “Hi I’m Amber! I’m a new apprentice at East Sussex Hearing and so far it has been great! Everyone is very nice and has been extremely welcoming, showing me the basics and helping me adjust to the job, and I’m incredibly thankful. I grew up in Brighton, am very interested in art and in my spare time write and illustrate my own stories. I’m also quite good at maths and being organised, so felt that working in an office environment would suit me well. Some of my family have tinnitus and a few years ago I learnt some BSL fingerspelling, so when I saw the apprenticeship opportunity with East Sussex Hearing I was keen to apply, and I’m so glad I did! I’m enjoying meeting and helping people on our public drop-in days and learning more BSL skills with Mark, who is a very entertaining and patient teacher!” 5 Sign Language News by Tutor Mark How’s your Sign Language? Want to learn BSL?
BSL (British Sign Language) is the language of the Deaf Community. BSL has its own vocabulary, structure and grammar which is different from English. It is a visual, gestural language which uses handshapes, facial expression and body language to express meaning. The classes are very informal and anyone can join whether you are a complete beginner or already know some signs. There are no exams, so no pressure! We now offer both in-person BSL classes in our Eastbourne Centre and remote Zoom classes to help provide an alternative for those who live too far away to travel to us or feel more comfortable and safe learning in their own homes. Our Zoom classes were introduced in October, and many people are curious about what it is like learning via a computer and how well these classes work. Well, the online classes are exactly like my regular classroom classes — they are held live and are just as friendly and fun — but we interact via computer video and audio. As long as your IT equipment has a microphone and camera you will be able to use it for our classes. Some 6 learners use a desktop or laptop computer and others a tablet or phone. This is all made possible through using Zoom, a free meeting app available at http://zoom.us . If you would like to try Zoom to see if it would work for you, I would be happy to arrange a Zoom call with you so you can experience this amazing resource for yourself! Even once Covid has left our lives and more people are able to attend classroom sessions we will continue to deliver Zoom classes for as long as learners wish us to do so. Our Spring Term classes will begin in January on the days/ times shown below: Beginners/Intermediate classroom-based lessons will be held in our new Eastbourne Centre on Mondays, 1.30-3pm, from 11 January. Beginners/Intermediate remote Zoom lessons will be held on Tuesdays, 2-3pm from 12 January. There will be 10 classes per term (no classes during half- term week) at a cost of £6 per session (£4 unwaged/ retired/Charity workers). Please contact us for more information and/or to book or to find out about our Advanced level classes. Looking forward to seeing you in January and wishing you a very Happy Christmas!
7 Lipreading News by Tutor Sarah Lipreading classes can be helpful for anyone, of any age, who struggles to hear speech, whether they wear a hearing aid or not. If you can't hear everything that's being said, joining a friendly lipreading class can give you skills to help you communicate, and you can pick up tips from people in a similar position to yourself. It is a skill, which takes time and practice to develop, enabling the eyes to help the ears by matching lipshapes to sounds, so making it easier to follow conversations and build confidence when communicating in many different situations. Our friendly, relaxed lessons will resume for the Spring Term in January, and new classes are planned for Peacehaven and Crowborough after Easter. Beginners/Intermediate classroom-based lessons will be held in our new Eastbourne Centre on Mondays, 10.30-12pm, from 11 January. Beginners/Intermediate remote Zoom sessions will be held on Fridays, 1.30-3pm from 15 January. Please contact us for more information and/or to book.
8 Hard of Hearing and Deafblind Support Groups by Hearing Support Worker Fiona In non-covid times we run seven hard of hearing groups across the county. These are a place to meet other people with a hearing loss in a relaxed and friendly environment where you can get information and advice on all hearing- related matters and make new friends. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the meetings at the moment, but we will resume them as soon as it is considered safe to do so. Bearing current restrictions and infection rates in mind, this is, sadly, unlikely to be before Easter, but we remain extremely hopeful that they will be in place again by late spring/early summer. As an alternative to meeting in person we would be more than happy to host group meetings online via Zoom. If you think you might like to join a group and have a computer or tablet you can use then please let us know. You may already be familiar with using Zoom (or something similar such as Skype) but if not we can help you to learn how to use Zoom, which may also be useful for keeping in touch with friends and family. And remember… everyone is welcome to join our groups whether or not you have been to one before.
9 Finding support over Christmas and into the New Year by Tech Team Co-ordinator Carina Christmas is very much a recognised time of year for showing care, kindness, and concern to others. With the current covid situation and its impacts there is the possibility it is going to become harder for many vulnerable people over the coming months. Therefore we wanted to put together some information of possible people/charities to contact who may be able to provide support for yourself, a friend, or a loved one. Bexhill Caring Commmunity 01424 215116 – various services from shopping to help with carers, some services are free: http://www.bexhillcaringcommunity.org Age UK 0800 678 1602 – befriending/advice lines/various other support: https://www.ageuk.org.uk Royal Voluntary Service 0808 196 3646 – collecting shopping/medication or other essential supplies: https:// www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Hastings Food Bank – [email protected] Please note: to use food banks, you need to have food bank vouchers, to apply for these contact your local authority or Citizens Advice. Doms Food Mission 07783 190 948 – helping the most vulnerable with food: http://www.domsfoodmission.com/ Health In mind 03000 030 130 – support for mental health 10 and stress: https://www.healthinmind.org.uk Southdown – 01273 405 800 providing specialist housing, care and support in Sussex: https://www.southdown.org The Silver Line 0800 470 80 90 – helpline for older people. Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Out Service 0345 266 0858 To opt out of receiving junk mail or www.royalmail.com. RNIB Newsagent 0303 123 9999 – recorded versions of magazines for blind and partially sighted readers or www.rnib.org. Floodline 0345 988 1188 – 24-hour service. Action on Elder Abuse 080 8808 8141 – Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
ESCIS 01273 481754 – East Sussex Community Information Service: https://www.escis.org.uk/
Winter Home Check Service 0800 085 1674 – If you are over 65, or anyone in your house is disabled, or family with children on a low income may qualify. It’s the time for giving, so follow the latest government guidelines with regards to covid and check in with people around you who may be more vulnerable and need help. No gift is better than the one of kindness.
11 The Fundraising Window
With the New Year sales just around the corner, we wanted to remind you about ‘easyfundraising’ which really is the easiest way to help us raise funds at absolutely no cost to you! How does it work? Just visit your favourite retailers through the easyfundraising website and then shop as normal. Once you’ve made a purchase our retailers will then make a small donation to your cause to say “thank you”. There are over 3,300 retailers to choose from, so you’ll be spoilt for choice!
What are the next steps? Go to easyfundraising.org.uk, sign up and select our cause. Bookmark the website, install the Donation Reminder and/or download the app and you’re good to go! Going forward, every single time you make an eligible purchase, we will receive a donation. Simple! Sign up and help us raise funds for free Thank you so much! 12 Tech Talk by Client Support Technician Mark Tech Team Talk Telly! As we wave goodbye to the year of lockdown and gear ourselves up for the seasonal festivities ahead, perhaps we should pause for a moment and give thanks to John Logie Baird, a resident of Bexhill, and his invention of the television, a device that has kept many of us sane these last difficult months. That box in the corner of the lounge has come a long way over the last eighty years and the pace of change in recent times has been almost supersonic. The world of digital TV may seem alien to some of us who remember waiting for the valves on the set to warm up and three channels but apart from on-demand viewing and hundreds of stations, of what some would argue indifferent viewing, the technology in your TV can help overcome some hearing difficulties. Firstly, nearly all programmes come with subtitles and even live broadcasts like the news have transcribed text. Depending on your set-up this is either accessed by your TV set or your satellite receiver box. However, even more helpful is the wide range of TV listeners now available. Many work well with older sets and those that receive a traditional aerial signal. Some work with hearing aids if they are loop enabled. If in doubt whether your hearing aids have this function, consult 13 the supplier of your hearing aids. Others have wireless headsets that you simply put on and you can achieve good sound to enhance your TV watching. Many will even split the sound so you can set the volume on your TV listener at a different level to others watching the same programme. Numerous clients have commented that this is a life or marriage saver and a big plus for their neighbours! With so many devices on the market it’s definitely worth doing some homework if you’re planning on upgrading your television in the January sales or thinking of using a TV listener device to help you enjoy your favourite programmes with your current set. Always remember, that here at East Sussex Hearing the technical team is only a friendly phone call away to offer you advice and guidance to get the very best from “the box”. Happy viewing! You can contact the team on: 01323 722505 or 07950 855580 or [email protected]
Please note that there will be no equipment service over the Christmas period from 12 noon on 24 December until we reopen at 9am on 4 January
14 Stop press… Tech Team Christmas update… Remember to check that you have some spare batteries handy for your equipment and ensure everything is in working order before we close for the Christmas break. We have also completed some equipment ‘how to guides’ that can be found on our website under the ‘Equipment’ tab. You may also have noticed that we now have an additional outreach van which has been very kindly fitted out with handy shelves by ‘ply-line Colin’ who has donated his time and materials for free! Thank you so much Colin, your support is very much appreciated!
Client Support Technician Jonathan getting friendly with the new van shelves kindly supplied by Colin Bilton of Aplyed Van Lining Ltd, www.aplyed.co.uk. Seasons Greetings from Carina, Jon and Mark
15 We need your help! Trustees needed We are seeking 2 additional Trustees and 1 Treasurer Trustee to join our existing board in offering direction and strategy to the organisation. The position of Board Member is voluntary and unpaid; however, 'out of pocket' expenses can be reimbursed. Trustees meetings are held approximately every 6/8 weeks, often on a Friday morning or afternoon and to which you would be expected to attend regularly and fully participate in. We are actively seeking people with particular expertise in one or more of the following skill areas:
• Business and commercial development skills
• Experience with legal, HR issues and charity law
• Experience of income generation and fundraising
• Professional accounting or finance qualification is required for the Treasurer Trustee role (e.g. AAT)
• Experience or understanding of hearing loss and deafness would be helpful To discuss these opportunities please contact David Rowan on 01323 722505 or email [email protected] - your application would be treated in strict confidence. Alternatively, you can view our voluntary vacancies by visiting the do-it.org website and searching for ‘East Sussex Hearing’. 16 MÉNIÈRE'S DISEASE is a loss of balance, vertigo, sickness, tinnitus and a fluctuating hearing loss. Our support group meets 4 times a year in our Eastbourne Centre and new members are most welcome. East Sussex Hearing MÉNIÈRE'S SUPPORT GROUP
Exchange ideas, information and recent developments in the understanding of Ménière's and the possible effects in everyday life.
Small, relaxed & friendly environment Free to attend, and refreshments are provided
Come & meet with other people who have MÉNIÈRE'S
2021 Meeting Dates
**Friday 19 Feb Friday 21 May Friday 20 Aug Friday 19 Nov
** It is unlikely that the February meeting will be able to be held in our Centre due to covid, so this meeting will take place online via Zoom. Please contact us in advance for a zoom meeting link or if you have any questions at all regarding this group. 17 Winter in your garden If you are fortunate enough to have a garden or balcony, the RHS suggest you keep yourself busy over the winter months with these activities:
Move tender plants into the greenhouse, or into a sheltered spot, but if you can't, then put bubblewrap around containers
Put out bird food and ensure your birdbath has fresh water and is free of ice
Clear up fallen leaves - especially from lawns, ponds and beds
Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging
Clean pots and greenhouse ready for spring
Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees using grease bands around the trunks
Prune apple and pear trees
Plan your vegetable crops for the coming season...
...then in February you can start preparing the vegetable seed beds
18 Puzzle Corner by Office Manager Glynwen How many words (of 2 letters or more) can you make using the letters in the Christmas song lyrics: jingle all the way
Festive Fun What is the best present you can receive for Christmas? A broken drum. You just can’t beat it!
What did Mrs. Claus say to Santa when she looked up in the sky? “Looks like rain dear”
Why is Santa so good at Karate? Because he has a black belt
Who is never hungry during Christmas? The turkey, because he is always stuffed
19 About us
East Sussex Hearing is a registered charity aiming to improve the quality of life for Deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people living in East Sussex.
Above all, our centre is a sanctuary for deaf people, where time is taken to communicate as easily as possible. Access to the Centre is easy - all on one level - and everyone is welcomed as soon as they step inside.
Drop-in days Tuesdays and Wednesdays Information & advice Equipment demonstrations and NHS hearing aid maintenance / batteries 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm We are closed for Christmas from 12 noon on 24 Dec until we reopen at 9am on 4 Jan
Chantry House (ground floor) 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne East Sussex, BN21 1BF 01323 722505 / 07950 855580 www.eshrc.org / [email protected]
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