Many deaf people become lonely, isolated, cut off from their friends, families and communities. They can develop health issues due to the problems they encounter because of their deafness and the accompanying communication difficulties. Sound Sense Project aims to help improve confidence, reduce isolation and increase access to everyday services and community activities for deaf people within the Tayside area by deploying volunteer befrienders to provide much needed support, along with actively promoting and delivering Deaf Awareness training to community groups, service providers and statutory services within Tayside.
The Sound Sense Project provides these services in
- Dundee
- Perth
- and Kinross Angus
Volunteers
This year, our volunteer befrienders have dedicated a staggering 2009 hours of their time to Sound Sense, and have undertaken a wide range of activities with their befriendee, from leisure pursuits to practical tasks.
Deaf people
Deaf people who have been referred to the project come from a wide range of backgrounds, age groups, experiences and difficulties. It has become apparent that quite a number of these people have other issues to deal with along with their deafness.
Referring Agents
We have had a very positive and supportive response from the organisations that have referred clients to the project, and feel we have built up good communication and working relationships with them. We welcome referrals from any organisation, family members or deaf people themselves. We are happy to arrange for one of our Co-ordinators to come and talk about the Befriending Service to any agency or individual who might want to know more about it.
Training
The project has been actively promoting and delivering Deaf Awareness training programmes throughout Tayside since Sound Sense began. We feel it is important to make as many people, service providers and organisations as possible aware of the needs of deaf people. The training we provide can be tailored to individual organisations' needs, and can range from a basic two hour awareness session to the CACDP 2 day certificated Deaf Awareness course followed by examination. We are also able to gear the training particularly towards the type of service being provided by the organisation and what could help deaf people access that specific service and be treated appropriately, eg; retail, health, local authority.
Contact details:
Dundee:
Sound Sense Project
Central Library
The Wellgate
Dundee DD! 1DB
Tel/Fax: 01382 431510
Text: 01382 431511
Email: chris@soundsenseproject.com
Perth and Kinross:
Sound Sense Project
Housing and Community Care
5 Whitefriers Crescent
Perth PH2 0PA
Tel/Text: 01738 476961
Email: diane@soundsenseproject.com
Angus:
Sound Sense Project
Physical Disabilities Team
Lunan Park Centre
Guthrie Street
Friockheim, by Arbroath
DD11 4S2
Tel/Text: 01241 826928
Email: jess@soundsenseproject.com
