Deaf and Hard of Hearing directory

Transcription

1 HCS039 Issue 6 Apr 2013 Review date May 2014 Deaf and Hard of Hearing directory Services available to Deaf and Hard of hearing people living in Hertfordshire Health and Community Services

2 Sensory Services: What is Sensory Services? Sensory Services is a county-wide resource, based in Health & Community Services, within Hertfordshire County Council, and provide services to all adults and children with sensory needs. The team offers three key pathways: VI Services for people who are blind or partial sighted or a degree of sight loss. Deaf/ HoH services for people who are deaf/ hard of hearing or have a degree of hearing loss. Deafblind services for people who are Deafblind or have a degree of dual sensory loss. VI Services: We have staff including Rehabilitation Workers and Community Care Officers, available to provide an assessment to people with a visual impairment including: Low vision & lighting assessment. Specialist care management assessment and review. Rehabilitation and mobility training. Blind and partially sighted equipment. Visual Impairment registration (CVI). VI Information pack of useful information and local services. Information, advice and access to a network of agencies providing support and services to blind and partially-sighted people. Deaf/Hard of Hearing services: We have staff including Social Workers & Community Care Officers, available to provide an assessment to deaf/ hard of hearing people including: Specialist assessment. Social Work/ Care management support and reviews. Deaf/ HoH Equipments. Deaf/HoH Registration. Deaf/ HoH information directory (currently developed) of useful information and local services. I n f o r m a t i o n, a d v i c e a n d a c c e s s t o a n e t w o r k o f a g e n c i e s p r o v i d i n g s u p p o r t a n d s e r v i c e s t o d e a f / h a r d o f h e a r i n g p e o p l e. D e a f b l i n d s e r v i c e s : We have staff including Deafblind Workers, available to provide an assessment to people who are Deafblind or have dual sensory loss including: Specialist care management assessment. Deafblind rehabilitation and mobility training. Deafblind Communicator guide/ intervenor. Specialist equipment. Dual Sensory registration. Information pack of useful information and local services. Information, advice and access to a network of agencies providing support and services to people are deafblind or have dual sensory loss. How to contact us: Many of our services are available online at To contact Hertfordshire County Council please us on hertsdirect@hertfordshire.gov.uk or via the following contact numbers Voice: Minicom: SMS text message: Fax: hertsdirect@hertfordshire.gov.uk Our Customer Service Centre is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday. For further information or for a specific telephone number please visit Page 2 of 30

3 Services available to Deaf/Hard of Hearing people living in Hertfordshire Audiology in Hertfordshire: Hemel Hempstead Hospital Audiology Department Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Level 2, Verulam Wing Outpatient Department, Hillfield Road Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4AD Telephone/voice: Audiology clinic: Open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Appointments usually start at 8.30 am. All patients need to be registered with a Hertfordshire GP. Hearing aid repair and maintenance clinic: Wednesday 10am to 12noon Hertford County Hospital Audiology Department Hertford County Hospital, North Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1LP Telephone/Voice: Hearing aid repair and maintenance clinic: Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 12 noon Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) PALS office Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB Office open: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm Voice: pals@whht.nhs.uk You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. Signing and translation services: The PALS department is able to organize interpreters and translation of script (e.g. medical records. general healthcare related information) upon request. For Interpreting and Translation enquiries, please contact PALS on To arrange an interpreter, an Interpreter & Sign Language form should be filled out and sent to the PALS Office. Emergency interpreting will be organized through the PALS Office during working hours. This support is free to service users. Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) PALS staff will come to wards/clinics to talk to patients/relatives/carers regarding concerns that you may have. Voice: pals.enh-tr@nhs.net You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. Page 3 of 30

4 Lister Hospital Audiology Department Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AB Telephone: Audiology clinic: Outpatient appointments available at Outpatients Level 3. Hearing aid repairs: Walk in clinic, no appointment necessary. Friday mornings 9 am to12.30pm Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) PALS staff will come to wards/clinics to talk to patients/relatives/carers regarding concerns that you may have. Voice: pals.enh-tr@nhs.net You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. QEII Hospital Audiology Department Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4HQ Telephone: Audiology clinic: Outpatient appointments available at Outpatients Clinic D. Hearing aid repair and maintenance clinic: Walk in clinic, no appointment necessary. Friday mornings 9 am to12.30pm Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) PALS staff will come to wards/clinics to talk to patients/relatives/carers regarding concerns that you may have. Voice: pals.enh-tr@nhs.net You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. St Albans City Hospital Audiology Department Gloucester Wing Outpatient Department Waverley Road, St Albans, AL3 5PN Telephone: Audiology clinic: Open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Appointments usually start at 8.30 am. All patients need to be registered with a Hertfordshire GP. Hearing aid repair and maintenance clinic: Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 12 noon Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) office Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB Office open: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm Voice: pals@whht.nhs.uk You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. Watford Hospital Audiology Department Watford General Hospital, Level 2 Outpatient Department Vicarage Road, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB Telephone: Audiology clinic: Open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) PALS office Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB Office open: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm Voice: pals@whht.nhs.uk Page 4 of 30

5 Appointments usually start at 8.30 am. All patients need to be registered with a Hertfordshire GP. Please note that Watford General Hospital does not offer a full Audiology service every Friday. Hearing aid repair and maintenance clinic: Tuesday 9:30am 12.30pm and 1:30pm- 3:30pm Thursday 11 am 12 noon You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. Signing and translation services: The PALS department is able to organize interpreters and translation of script (e.g. medical records. general healthcare related information) upon request. For Interpreting and Translation enquiries, please contact PALS on To arrange an interpreter, an Interpreter & Sign Language form should be filled out and sent to the PALS Office. Emergency interpreting will be organized through the PALS Office during working hours. This support is free to service users. Audiology outside Hertfordshire: There are a number of hospitals that Hertfordshire residents may also attend for audiology that are outside of Hertfordshire. Princess Alexandra Hospital Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 1QX Telephone: Fax: Location: Outpatients, Ground floor, St Margaret's Hospital Opening Hours: 08:30-12:30 (Mon - Fri) 13:30-17:30 (Mon - Fri) The Audiology service involves carrying out hearing assessments (direct GP and ENT referrals) of both adults and children/babies, the provision of digital hearing aids, support to hearing aid users (follow-up/telephone followup appointments, repair clinics, hearing therapy) and Tinnitus Assessments and Support. Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) The PALS service is available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You can contact the PALS team in the following ways: Telephone: Fax: pals@pah.nhs.uk Location: PALS, Main reception of the hospital, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX Hearing aid repairs by appointment only (all three sites). Please note that digital repairs can only be carried out at St. Margaret's Hospital and Herts & Essex Hospital sites. Batteries are available at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, St Margaret's and Herts and Essex sites in addition to Rectory Lane Health Centre, Ongar War Memorial hospital and Waltham Abbey Clinic. Page 5 of 30

6 Luton & Dunstable Hospital Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ Regular diagnostic clinics are run alongside the daily ENT clinics. The Audiologists are also responsible for carrying out screening for hearing challenges in new born babies and paediatric patients. Their service also covers the supply, maintenance and replacement of hearing aids. Initial referrals for hearing aids are made either by ENT or, if the patient is over 55 years of age, directly by their GP. Once a hearing aid has been supplied, a patient can then self-refer for ongoing testing and any required changes to hearing aids. Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) If you have any comments or concerns about your care please ask to speak to the person in charge of your care or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in the hospital on The PALS officers can provide on the spot advice and support to help you resolve your concerns. The PALS desk is located in the main entrance of the hospital and is open between the hours of 09:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday with a message service out of office hours. Repairs There is also a hearing aid repair service, which is open daily from 9am to 12 noon. Clinics and Contacts Most Audiology clinics run from 9am to and from 1.30 to 4.30pm. For more details please telephone Addenbrookes Hospital Audiology clinic Box 94, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ Voice: Fax: Minicom: Audiology is concerned with the science of hearing and balance, particularly diagnostic testing and the rehabilitation of hearing-impaired individuals. The Audiology Department provides a comprehensive hearing and balance service including several specialist clinics, seeing patients through each stage of their treatment, providing the following services: Hearing aid service Private hearing aid service Severe /profound deafness Single sided deafness Paediatric audiology services Paediatric to adult transfer clinic Hearing therapy service Tinnitus and Hyperacusis service Vestibular services Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) PALS office Box 94, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ Office open: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday to Sunday 1pm 4pm Voice: pals@addenbrookes.nhs.uk Fax: You can talk to PALS which provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters. Signing and translation services: A full range of interpreting services (including British Sign Language) are available. They can be booked for patients when requested. Please let us know if you need an interpreter when making your appointment. Page 6 of 30

7 Hearing Aid Repairs. Hearing aids are electronic devices, and although robust will break from time to time, also the tubing connecting the earmould to the hearing aid should be replaced at least every 6 months. If the hearing aid needs repairing, you can attend one of the open access repair sessions at Addenbrooke's. This service operates on a ticketing system - you do not need to make an appointment, simply ask the receptionist for a repair number. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Chase Farm Hospital Department of Audiology, The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 8JL Voice: Fax: Minicom: enfieldandbarnethearingcare@nhs.net The Audiology departments at Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital provide a full range of adult diagnostic and rehabilitative audiological services. They also provide support at Cheshunt Community Hospital, Ware Road, St Michaels, North Middlesex and Potters Bar. They offer a range of adult hearing services, which also incorporates Hearing Therapy, helpful equipment and balance rehabilitation. They provide hearing assessments for people referred by their GP or ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors. For those patients who choose to go ahead with a hearing aid, comprehensive hearing aid fittings are arranged with a range of modern digital hearing aids fitted to exacting standards. Follow up appointments are offered and we have walk-in maintenance and repair clinics to provide ongoing care and support. The Audiology department is open normal office hours 9am to 5pm for enquiries. Appointments outside of these times can also now been arranged. New patients who would like to use the services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, Cheshunt Community Hospital or Ware Road, should arrange an appointment with their GP and request to be faxed through to Existing patients who require a re-tube, attention to their mould/s or experience sudden hearing aid dysfunction can attend a walk in session. No appointment is required. Patients are seen on a first come, first served basis. Please note that there may be a wait if the clinic is busy. Walk in repair clinics at Chase Farm Hospital: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday By appointment only Friday Walk in repair clinics at Barnet Hospital: Monday By appointment only Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday By appointment only Page 7 of 30

8 Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital 330 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DA Voice: Enquiries: / The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital is the UK s largest ear, nose and throat hospital and Europe s centre for audiological medicine and research. Treatments range from minor procedures, such as putting in grommets, to major complex head and neck surgery. The outpatient department provides both routine and specialist clinics including some nurse-led clinics. Replacement Batteries and Hearing Aid Repairs. Hearing aid batteries typically last for between 7 and 14 days. Batteries are available at reception desk of Watford General Hospital and St Albans City Hospital and also by post from the Audiology Department. Patients are welcome to drop in for battery collection, but please be advised to bring your brown book. Hearing aids are electronic devices, and although robust will break from time to time, also the tubing connecting the earmould to the hearing aid should be replaced at least every 6 months. Maintenance includes battery provision, replacement tubing and minor rehabilitation advice. Patients should book directly to see audiologist if aid needs repair, fine tuning, replacement of faulty and lost aid. Replacement of a lost aid will incur a charge. If you need any further information from your local audiology hospital listed above, please contact them directly for repair times. Aftercare/support with hearing aid maintenance: Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service The Woodside Centre The Commons Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire AL7 4SE HHAS is an independent charity based in Welwyn Garden City. The charity offers support and advice to people across Hertfordshire affected by hearing loss, including those wearing an NHS hearing aid. The volunteers provide a basic hearing aid maintenance service, including cleaning and retubing NHS hearing aids, and replacing batteries together with advice, information and practical support covering all aspects of hearing loss. Telephone/voice: Textphone: Fax: info@hhas.org.uk Web: Page 8 of 30

9 BSL Interpreting Services. Sign Language Interpreter Signs In Vision Signs In Vision is an Independent Sign Language Interpreting Service set up to address the need of providing more Sign Language Interpreters ensuring that there is greater access for the Deaf Community and providing a fully operational Sign Language Interpreting Agency operating in Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties. They are a professional and accredited agency using a range of qualified and experienced interpreters as well as supervised trainee interpreters. To book an interpreter, contact: The team will then process your request and endeavour to contact you within 2 working days to confirm your booking. If you find yourself in a situation where you unexpectedly need an interpreter you can contact via SMS on hrs a day and they will try do their best to try and provide an interpreter as soon as possible. Clarion Clarion interpreters enable clear communication between The Old Dairy people who are deaf and hearing, and provide British Sign Brook Road Language/English, Sign Supported English, Deafblind, Royston Deaf Relay and Foreign Sign Language interpreters. Herts SG8 7RG All of their BSL interpreters are registered with the NRCPD (National Registers of Communication Professionals Tel working with Deaf and Deafblind people) or SASLI Fax (Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters). They SMS are committed to working with Signature, ASLI and VLP and all BSL/English interpreters have at least level 4 NVQ BSL or equivalent, and also have over 40 foreign sign language interpreters registered, including those who use American, French, Russian, Farsi, International, Australian and Irish sign language. THITA (The Hertfordshire Interpreters and Translators Association) THITA provides interpreting and translation services to local health and social services, the police, county and magistrates courts, voluntary organisations and the private sector. Also provide mutual support to organisations and individuals in the field of community and public service interpreting and translation. The Hertfordshire Interpreters and Translators Association Holywell Community Centre Chaffinch Lane, Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 9QD Telephone/Voice: General enquiries: enquiries@thita.org.uk Page 9 of 30

10 THITA provides these services via a comprehensive database using more than 160 interpreters and translators, covering more than 60 languages and dialects. Deaf People with Mental Health Needs Deaf and HoH Adult: Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust. Hertfordshire Partnership Trust provides a range of services for older people with mental health needs across most of the county. Older people have similar mental health needs to adults of working age, although some illnesses are more prevalent within older people, such as dementia. Services are, therefore, provided in a different way to those of younger people in order to take account of additional needs brought about through ageing. The services provided by the Trust aim to: Recognise the dignity of individual service users Respect the values and diversity of service users and carers and incorporate their views into planning and developing services Provide consistently high quality and comprehensive packages of care appropriate to individual needs Make sure the best and most effective treatments are widely and consistently available Are open to all and respond on the basis of need, not age. Contact Us Head Office: 99 Waverley Road, St Albans AL3 5TL Enquiries voice: Web: National Deaf Services South West London and St George's, Mental Health Services NHS Trust, Bluebell Ward, Bldg 9E, Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, Tooting, London SW17 7DJ National Deaf Services provides a range of comprehensive mental health services for deaf adults, children and their families and are committed to: o the employment of deaf staff participation and training, o service user and carer involvement in all aspects of care, o respect and promotion of deaf culture and language. Adult Deaf Services covers London and the southern third of England. Child Deaf and Family Service is national, covering the whole of the UK. They offer a variety of treatment options and support each service user in making Voice: Mobile: (9am to 5pm) Minicom: Fax: deafadultservices@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk Website: Page 10 of 30

11 appropriate choices. The services offer deaf people assessment and management of psychiatric, behavioural, psychological, communication and social problems and the Adult Service has special expertise in learning disabilities and autism in addition to general mental health. Services for Deaf Children Children s Audiology Services This is a consultant led service that offers screening, assessment, diagnosis and management of the needs of children and young people who have a hearing impairment aged 0-16 yrs of age. The service provides a complete range of paediatric hearing assessments and management in keeping with current professional practice by highly qualified paediatric trained staff. The Paediatric Audiologists have considerable training and experience assessing the hearing of children. They aim to accurately evaluate the hearing levels of the child across the speech spectrum. The degree, extent and nature of any hearing loss are confirmed as quickly as possible and estimation made of the impact these difficulties are likely to have on the child. The Children s Hearing services are a major referral centre for all children with different hearing requirements and provide services to identify impairment as early as possible, so that appropriate treatment and management is given without delay. Watford District Peace Children s Centre, Peace Prospect, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 3EW Telephone: Opening times: Monday to Friday 8.30am 4.30pm St Albans District Principal Health Centre, Civic Close, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LA Telephone: Opening times: Monday to Friday 8.30am 4.30pm Stevenage District Danestrete Health Centre, Southgate, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1HB Telephone: Audiology/default.aspx Deaf Children with mental health needs Corner House Deaf Child and Family Services South West London and St. George s Mental Health NHS Trust High Trees Springfield Hospital, Glenburnie Road Tooting. London SW17 7DJ Voice: Fax: Minicom: ndcamhs@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk Web: Page 11 of 30

12 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). It is comprised of professionals who provide advice, assessment and treatment on emotional, behavioural and / or mental health problems that require specialist support. CAMHS work with children and young people from 0-18 years and their families across the county provided that they have a Hertfordshire GP. The types of problems seen by CAMHS can include depression, anxiety, aggression, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. As well as working in health settings like child and family clinics, CAMHS staff are also located in a number of services across Hertfordshire, details of which can be found under Professional bodies involved in CAMHS Many different types of professionals work within CAMHS across the county in order to be able to treat the needs of children and young people with a wide range of issues as effectively as possible. The types of staff include family therapists and psychologists. Education for Deaf Children Heathlands Primary School Heathlands Drive, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5AY A specialist SEN school offering nursery, primary and secondary provision for day and residential students. Knightsfield School Knightsfield, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 7LW A specialist regional resource for hearing impaired pupils. Children s Services Hertfordshire County Council County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8DQ Voice/Minicom Mobile/Text: : admin@heathlands.herts.sch.uk Web: Voice/Mincom: Fax: : admin@knightsfield.herts.sch.uk Web: Voice: hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk Minicom: SMS: Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am-8pm and Saturdays from 9am-4pm. Lines are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child outside of office hours please call Page 12 of 30

13 Low Incidence Team SEND (formerly Specialist Advisory Service, dealing Voice/Minicom: with Hearing Impairment and Deafblind Fax: children) The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4EN The team is experienced in supporting children from pre-school age to post-16. As soon as the team becomes aware of a child who has been diagnosed with a hearing loss, they will contact the family to discuss what support may be available. They accept referrals from parents, schools and health professionals. The information asked for when a referral is made helps them to determine what support they may be able to provide. For a pre-school child the support may take place in the home and/or in the pre-school setting. For a school age child support will be provided through their school. Voluntary/Community Groups Phoenix Group for Deaf Children Stevenage Voluntary Centre, Swingate, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1RU Meetings and workshops take place a various venues around Hertfordshire. Please contact or visit the website for further information. Contact Jane Shann Phone(s): info@phoenixgroup.org.uk or Contact Ruth Mansi, Youth Participation Worker youth@phoenixgroup.org.uk The Phoenix Group supports hearing impaired/deaf children, young people and their families, who run workshops and develop resources to promote independence and positive self esteem. In addition, they deliver intergenerational workshops and deaf awareness courses for community organisations. There is also a youth group for deaf and hearing impaired young people that meet on a fortnightly basis. Workshops cater for deaf children and young people using different communication modes. Page 13 of 30

14 Education for Deaf/HoH Adults: City Lit for Deaf People The City Lit Centre for Deaf People Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BA Voice Fax M = /2747 TextVoice cfdp@citylit.ac.uk Switchboard: Enrolments: Fax: infoline@citylit.ac.uk Programme Areas within the Centre: Head of Faculty Service Marco Macchitella (Temporary Head of Faculty) m.macchitella@citylit.ac.uk Communication and Training Programme Manager: Shirley Farthing. s.farthing@citylit.ac.uk D.D.S Deaf and Disabled Support Service Programme Manager: Ann Crocker Smith dds@citylit.ac.uk Voice Fax Minicom Student Services Officer Lucy Franklin Mobile: Fax l.franklin@citylit.ac.uk Advice Times: Wednesday 14:00 15:00 if deaf people/ professional want to pop in for advice on suitable courses that meets the deaf person s needs. Oaklands College Advice & guidance Oaklands College is a large general further education college in Hertfordshire and has 5 advice.centre@oaklands.ac.uk campuses, 1 in Welwyn Garden City, 3 in St. Albans, and a further training provision in Admissions Borehamwood You can study your A Levels, gain qualifications to admissions.query@oaklands.ac.uk progress to Higher Education, or just to learn a new skill or subject for your personal satisfaction. Switchboard They also run work-based learning programmes, with close links to local employers, and offer Apprenticeships and Entry to Employment. Oaklands have a teacher of the deaf and a small team of Communication Support Workers (CSWs) to provide support for deaf or hearing impaired learners and they can work with students in and out of class to support with: College interviews Use BSL / SSE support if needed Deaf awareness Note taking Extra support with course language etc. Exam arrangements Please contact steve.nelson@oaklands.ac.uk Oaklands also run BSL classes. Page 14 of 30

15 Lipreading Classes: Lipreading Class Bishops Stortford and Hertford Experienced and qualified tutor. New students always welcome. It's an informal and enjoyable session. Contact Louise Reed Phone(s): Web pages: Class times and venues: * Monday from 10.00am to 12noon at Charis Centre, Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2JZ. * Mondays and Tuesdays from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Hertford Baptist Church Centre, 15 Chamber Street, Hertford. Lipreading Class Borehamwood This class for adults meets at the Allum Hall, Allum Lane, Borehamwood WD6 3PJ on Wednesdays from 10.00am to 12.00noon. Contact Janet Zysblat, Tutor Phone(s): or janetzysblat@hotmail.com The aim is to help with communication both at home and at work. The theory of lipreading is taught, enabling students to understand one another more clearly. They are taught useful tactics for coping in difficult situations and given information on environmental aids for the hard of hearing. Employment Services for Deaf Adults: Adeola Olofinusi Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) Government Buildings, 1 Waterhouse Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1EU Jobcentre Plus: Fax: Voice: Jobcentre Plus also available at: Borehamwood Hertford Letchworth St Albans Stevenage Work Solutions Work Solutions offers help and support to people whose situation makes it difficult for them to get and keep a job. Work Solutions also help employers to enhance their equal opportunities policies. Their aim is to help people obtain and keep a job by improving their confidence and self esteem and ensuring they meet employers' expectations. For Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage or Welwyn Hatfield, contact: SFAR206, Farnham House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage SG1 2FQ worksolutionseast@hertscc.gov.uk Voice Minicom Fax For Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Page 15 of 30

16 They are only able to help people with mental ill health, learning disabilities (including Aspergers), physical disabilities and sensory needs who meet Adult Care Services eligibility criteria. Rivers or Watford, contact: Apsley One, Brindley Way, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BF Voice Minicom Fax Community Services HertsHelp HertsHelp is a network of community organisations working together. They can help you find the practical support, guidance and information you need to get the most out of life. HertsHelp has one phone number and website address to help you find your way around the 100s of community groups in Herts who may be able to help. Herts Help may need to take your details and pass them on to someone else who can help, but will always ask for permission to do this. HertsHelp, Hertlands House, Primett Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3EE Contact Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm and Thursday 5pm - 7pm Voice: (local rate) info@hertshelp.net Minicom: Skype: Hertshelp SMS: Text hertshelp to Fax: Hertfordshire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service The new Hertfordshire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, which is being delivered by CRI, now has six of its nine planned hubs up and running. Sites are open in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, St Albans, Stevenage, Royston and Watford. Three more hubs - in Hatfield, Cheshunt/Waltham Cross and Borehamwood - will open shortly. Services available include: Open access advice, information and a full recovery assessment Harm minimisation advice and needle exchange Structured treatment interventions including groups and counselling Rapid access to a prescription and pathways into detox Support and advice for families and carers Recovery planning for all Access to specialist advice and interventions There is a single point of contact number for all queries and referrals: Deaf Alcoholics Anonymous An Alcoholics Anonymous group with facilities for deaf and hard of hearing people will meet every Friday at 8pm at: Friends Meeting House, 22 St Mary's Road National Helpline: For more information or general enquiries, contact: Voice: (Office hours only) or gso@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Page 16 of 30

17 (Old Town), Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5HL or log on to Shelter Hertfordshire Queensway House, Queensway, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 0LW Specialist advice, information and assistance for anyone who is homeless, has a housing problem or any housing related difficulty. Outreach advice at Hertford, Letchworth, Hemel Hempstead and Broxbourne. Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme offering advice and assistance at Watford, St Albans and Hertford County Courts on possession hearing days. Specialist advice on debt and welfare benefits. Services available to anyone who is homeless, has a housing problem or housing related difficulty in Hertfordshire. Open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Voice: Fax: hertfordshire@shelter.org.uk Website: Information, Advice and Advocacy in Hertfordshire CAB (Citizen Advice Bureau) Citizens Advice Bureaux offer free, confidential, impartial and independent advice from over 3,500 locations. These include high streets, community centres, doctors surgeries, courts and prisons. The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers. The advice can help people resolve their problems with debt, benefits, employment, housing, discrimination, and many more issues. It is available to everyone. Advice may be given face-to-face or by phone. Most bureaux can arrange home visits and some also provide advice. A growing number are piloting the use of text, online chat and webcams. Broxbourne Borough Cheshunt Dacorum Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead (Advice Line) Hertsmere Bushey & Potters Bar North Herts Letchworth, Royston, Hitchin Stevenage Three Rivers Abbots Langley, Oxhey & Rickmansworth An introduction to information on benefits, debt, education, employment and how a Citizens Advice Bureau can help you is available in British Sign Language (BSL) at: ages/bsl.htm East Herts Citizen Advice Service Welwyn Hatfield Page 17 of 30

18 Hertfordshire Action on Disability The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 4DD HAD offer services that help Hertfordshire s disabled and older people maintain their independence and keep on the move. They provide products (via online shop), equipment centre, 24-hr accessible transport, driving centre, counselling & therapies, and information and advice. Voice: (information and advice line) Fax Deaf Positives Slough and District Deaf Centre, Windmill Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3SU Deaf Positives Advocates can support you in a variety of ways, such as supporting you to make informed choices in relation to your rights, understanding procedures or understanding information in official documents. Deaf Positives Advocates can support you at meetings, tribunals or court hearings. Advocates do not decide what is best for you, they will give you the information to make an informed decision. By working with an Advocate, you can feel more confident about the life decisions you make. They can also provide you with an Independent Mental Health Advocate. Voice: Textphone: SMS only: Voice/SMS mobile: Emergency Interpreting/Advocacy Services are available on a 24/7 basis, SMS: / General Enquiries: admin@deafpositives.org Interpreters and other services: booking@deafpositives.org Further information and Advice: info@deafpositives.org Website: Deaf Positives also offer support and advice to Deaf people seeking employment, including writing letters and CVs, completing an application form, interview and presentation skills, Access to Work applications and advice regarding disability discrimination. POhWER Hertlands House, Primett Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3EE POhWER was set up by people with disabilities or who had experienced exclusion to help people make their voices heard. Advocacy is about taking action to make sure people have the information they need to make the right choices for them, supporting people to say what they want, to secure their rights, take a full part in their communities and get the services and support they need. Voice: Minicom: Fax: pohwer@pohwer.net Text the word pohwer to with your name and number. Page 18 of 30

19 POhWER services are independent, free and confidential. RAD Deaf Law Centre 12 Devon Place Newport South Wales NP20 4NN Providing legal advice for the Deaf community ensuring Deaf people have information about their rights, provide general advice, make sure Deaf people can access legal advice by telling everyone about services and advising legal professionals about Deaf issues/ awareness, and give information to make legal services better for Deaf people. deafplus (London & Eastern Regional office) First Floor, Trinity Centre, Key Close, Whitechapel, London E1 4HG Voice: Fax: SMS: Voice: Fax: Minicom/ Text: deafplus is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee working to encourage integration and equality between deaf and hearing people in all areas of life. Home Safety and Security Police/Ambulance/ Fire Brigade Emergency If you need Police/ Ambulance/ Fire brigade, please call Text Direct (Typetalk Emergency Relay Service) on: Minicom/Text direct: Voice: 999 SMS: Non-Emergency Calls You can phone 101 to make non-emergency calls or to report a crime that is not in progress to Hertfordshire Constabulary. Alternatively, you can call for non-emergency calls. Hertfordshire Constabulary also operates a textphone system for use in case of an emergency or non-emergency. The textphone telephone number is The fax number is Please visit this link to the Hertfordshire Police Constabulary which will enable you to see what is going on in your wards and who your policing team are. or Page 19 of 30

20 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service works in partnership with the County Council to identify deaf/ hard of hearing people in need of visual alerting smoke alarm. Any deaf/hard of hearing residents in need of one, please make referral to Fire and Rescue for free home safety check, or contact Sensory Services. Police Neighbourhood Watch (OWL) OWL is an advanced solution for police, their partner agencies & communities to maximise the potential of Neighbourhood Watch, School Watch, Business Watch and dozens of other schemes. OWL provides the latest messages and crime alerts along with management tools for starting and maintaining watches. By registering, people can receive Neighbourhood Watch messages via e mail which are relevant to the street/area/town as appropriate. Voice: Fax: Minicom: hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk Mobile SMS: ect/fire Voice: 101 as above to report nonemergency crimes. Leisure/Social information for Deaf/HoH People Deafinitely Theatre Deaf Theatre, providing workshops to deaf children/ young people and adults. Deafinitely Theatre Beethoven Centre, Third Avenue, Queens Park London W10 4JL To learn more, please contact: Telephone (voice) Paula Garfield, Artistic Director paula@deafinitelytheatre.co.uk Mark Sands, General Manager mark@deafinitelytheatre.co.uk Terese Weiss, Communications Support terese@deafinitelytheatre.co.uk Deaf Clubs/Social Groups Hemel Morning Deaf Group Betty Patterson House, Astley Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1XA (Entry - Can use trades button up to 12.20pm, after that must call number 31.) The Group meets on Mondays from 11.15am- 2.30pm (except Bank Holidays) and the aim of the group is to bring together deaf sign language users who may feel isolated during the day. They organise occasional outings. Contact: Mrs Dorothy Lowe, Chair Person/Secretary 42 Maynard Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 4TR Phone(s): (Telex) (Type Talk) Fax: d.lowe3103@ntlworld.com Costs: 1.00 (with cup of tea or coffee) per meeting. Bring your own lunch. Page 20 of 30

21 Hertford Deaf Club Sele School Youth Wing, Welwyn Road (Opposite The Golden Griffin Pub), Hertford, Hertfordshire. SG14 2DG This is a social club for profoundly deaf people that meet once a month, on 4th Saturday each month - 5pm to 10pm, except August & December and organise social events e.g. Bingo, Quiz, Cheese & Wine, Whist, etc Hertfordshire Local Meet Up The Barn Pub, St Albans Contact: Voice: Textphone: Fax: Jill Harris: harris.jiledd@tiscali.co.uk Contact: Michelle Durant michelle.durant@hotmail.co.uk Meet every 2 nd Friday. Life After Deaf. LAD (Hemel Hempstead) Contact Rosemary, Members Secretary St Johns Church Hall, Station Road, Phone(s): Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1JY. Harlech@Thecooper.net or Third Friday of the month (except August) Contact Bill Manning from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Phone: A social group for those who have become hard of hearing or deafened in later life. The monthly meetings include talks, quizzes, games evenings and a variety of other activities. The hall has a T-loop system and an on-screen presentation (like TV subtitles) is also given. Signing is not carried out during the meetings. Other events include day trips, annual barbeque and a Christmas dinner. The group is made up of a variety of deafened people and their hearing partners and the age range is currently from 30 upwards and costs 6.00 per year membership plus 2.00 a month entrance (includes snacks and drinks part of the way through the meeting). Stevenage Deaf Club Contact Nigel Kerwin Broadhall Community Centre, Shephall Green, nigekerwin@msn.com Shephall, Stevenage, Herts SG2 9XR. 1st Tuesday each month 7pm to 10pm Page 21 of 30

22 Watford Deaf Sports and Social Club The Harebreaks Centre, The Harebreaks, North Watford, Herts, WD24 6NJ Hearing students learning sign language meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month and are welcome other Wednesday evenings. Contact Ms H Rundell Phone(s): Harebreaks Centre (voice and Minicom) (text only) Fax: Social held every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm-10.30pm. Includes bar, snooker, billiards, darts, table tennis and indoor games. Caters for all ages and welcomes hearing people with deaf connections. There is also an Afternoon club on the first and third Tuesdays from 12.00noon to 4.00pm. Open some Saturdays for special events. Open once a month on Sundays from 4.00pm- 9.00pm. Please contact club for opening times and programmes. Cost for non member, 1 for member Watford Deaf Badminton Watford Leisure Centre, Horseshoe Lane, Garston, Watford, WD25 7HH For more information, please e- mail: hdbc2012@yahoo.co.uk Players of all skill levels welcome. 18+ only. Every Wednesday from 8pm to 10pm Westminster Diocese Deaf Service (Church Service. Watford) Holyrood, Holyrood House, Exchange Road, Waftord WD18 0PJ. Signed Masses take place throughout the year for all ages and for those who are Deaf, or hard of hearing and for anyone who wishes to attend. Please visit website for dates and times and for more information about other events and services. Phone(s): (Textphone) Fax: shellroca@rcdow.org.uk There are also a large number of deaf clubs and social groups that Hertfordshire residents may choose to access that are outside of Hertfordshire, such as Luton or those in London. This information is readily available online. Page 22 of 30

23 Leisure/Social Information: TV Resources for Deaf/HoH: Subtitles: Most TV have teletext page 888 for subtitles but for Digital TV (Sky/Cable), select subtitle from the menu and it usually stays on unless you switch subtitle off from the menu. Web: Internet have useful information on Deaf services and Deaf news check out DeafOk for news on DeafUK- Events on DeafUK-jobs on DeafClubs for news/events/information on Page 23 of 30

24 National Deaf Organisations: British Deaf Association (BDA) 10th Floor, Coventry Point Market Way Coventry, CV1 1EA Videophone IP: Textphone: Voice phone: Fax: Web: British Deaf History Society Voice phone: Wilson Pattern Road Fax: Warrington, WA1 1PG Web: Brothers and Sisters Club London SMS: Largest Deaf Gay/Lesbian Club in Europe Oxford St East, London Ontario, N5Y 3H4 Web: Deaf Cognition and Language Centre (DCAL) DCAL Centre, 49 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PD Deafness Cognition and Language (DCAL) Research Centre is based at University College London and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). DCAL brings together leading Deaf and hearing researchers in the fields of sign linguistics, psychology, and neuroscience. Voice: Fax: Minicom: Deaf Camp UK PO Box 2665, Purley, CR8 4WT Deaf Camp UK is a multi-activity residential camping project for deaf children/young people. Fax info@deafcamp.org.uk Web: Some training opportunities for Deaf young people to become leaders on camps. Deaf Parenting UK Enabling confident, empowering and supporting deaf parents. Nicole Campbell Deaf Parenting UK Coordinator SMS: Fax: info@deafparent.org.uk Web: Deaf Parents Deaf Children Deaf Parents Deaf Children (DPDC) is a group for deaf parents with deaf children from all over the UK. They aim to show a positive view of deafness, to show what deaf people can hello@deafparentsdeafchildren.co.uk Web: Page 24 of 30

25 achieve and to give deaf parents an equal voice in what happens to their deaf children.

26 issues and support research into an eventual cure for hearing loss and tinnitus. UCL Ear Institute and RNID Libraries Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8EE A collaborative venture between UCL, Action on Hearing Loss (RNID) and the NHS, the libraries Deafblind are UK based at the Royal National Throat Nose National & Ear Centre Hospital for Deafblindness (RNTNEH) and cover all aspects John and of Lucille hearing, van speech Geest and Place, language, Cygnet and specialises Road, Hampton, in literature Peterborough, on deafness PE7-8FD from academic journals, research reports and student The aim textbooks of DBUK to is children's to enable books deafblind and people novels living with with this deaf unique characters. disability Its collection to maintain of their historical independence, material quality has earned of life, and it a reputation reduce the as the isolation archives that of Deafblindness the deaf community. creates. The libraries are open to the public and provide reference and enquiry services to anybody conducting research connected with ENT medicine, CHANGE hearing, or deafness. Unit 11, Shine, Harehills Road, Leeds LS8 5HS Deaf people with Learning Disability: CHANGE is a leading international human rights organisation led by Disabled People. We work for the human rights and inclusion of all people with learning disabilities. Voice and text phone: Fax: rnidlib@ucl.ac.uk Opening Voice/Text: Hours (except Bank Holidays): Monday Fax: and Tuesday am-7.00pm Wednesday to Friday 9.00am-5.30pm info@deafblind.org.uk Web: Voice: Fax: Minicom: info@change-people.co.uk Web: Black Minorities Ethnic (BME) Deaf Organisations: DEWA Women Resource Centre, Dallington Street, City of London, EC1V 0BB Deaf Ethnic Women s Association is a national organisation run and controlled by Deaf women from Ethnic minority groups. DEWA provides a range of support and empowers BME Deaf women to have choice and control, be active and be successful in all aspects of their lives without compromising their identity. Fax: SMS: dewadeafethnicwomen@gmail.com Abdul Kadir/ Nilma Faleen Asian Deaf Project Officer DeafPlus (London & Eastern Regional office) First Floor, Trinity Centre, Key Close, Whitechapel, London, E1 4HG Ethnic Minority Service DeafPlus (East Acton Centre) 2 Erconwald Street East Acton, London W12 0BS Voice/fax: Minicom/ Text: london.asian.project@deafplus.org Web: Voice/Fax: (advice & advocacy) Voice/Fax: (Equipment) Fax: Minicom: Page of 30