TheSignLife CIC is a CODA led organisation, also run by deaf people for deaf people. We are constantly looking at new ways to develop our services that would meet the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Our aim is to develop TheSignLife CIC across England and Wales to prevent social isolation and increase resilience and mainly, to remove communication barriers.
We currently provide the following services to the deaf and hard of hearing community without external funding:
1) Drop In services - This service was developed because deaf and hard of hearing people face the challenge of being disempowered when it comes to dealing with their personal affairs such as issues with booking an interpreter for a doctor appointment because of the communication barrier. TheSignLife can support deaf and hard of hearing to resolve this issue by making contact on their behalf and requests for communication adjustments to meet the needs of the individuals.
2) Social events - It is a challenge for those with hearing loss to mix with their hearing peers increasing the scale of vulnerability of developing mental health issues through social isolation. We currently provides coffee morning as well as afternoon tea so people can come together and socialise without barriers.
3) PA / Advocacy services - Our staff are fluent in British Sign Language and can fully empathise with the issues facing the hearing loss community and offer our service to ensure that we safeguard their interests and support them with their care and support needs.
4) Deaf Awareness Training - The training is available to raise awareness of hearing loss for those who want to make their place of work is more 'deaf friendly'.
5) Interpreting Services - Equality in terms of access is passionately reinforced by TheSignLife and we offer BSL, Relay, SSE, Note taking and access to work support.
