Deaf charity to close despite fundraising efforts

A deaf charity that has operated for 150 years will close over the next few months, despite fundraising efforts by users desperate to keep it open.

Northamptonshire-based Deafconnect has provided support, education, and advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing.

But Mark Symmonds, a trustee, said it was no longer "viable" because of a lack of funds.

He said the decision to close had been taken with a "very heavy heart". Most services would start to be wound down by the end of March, with closure scheduled for the end of July, he added.

In January, Jake Holland, 21, who is deaf, set up an online petition and fundraising page to try to keep the charity going.

"Knowing that there is no-one there to go to, as my family are all deaf, [means] Deafconnect is my lifeline really," he said.

"Deafconnect helped us to be our own person and stand up for our own rights."

Jenny Murray, from Paulerspury, near Towcester, who was born deaf in one ear and lost hearing in her other ear aged 10, has used the charity for four years.

She said it made the lives of people with hearing issues "easier and more bearable - without them we're lost".

"They're not just people doing their jobs, they care about each of us and we care about them.

"The closure will mean people are being pushed into isolation, we're fighting for something that's very unique for us, we just need it," she added.

Symmonds said support services and group sessions would continue until 13 March.

Interpreting booking services will continue until 14 July.

The charity also runs the Spencer Dallington Community Centre in Northampton. Hire bookings will continue until 31 July, when the community cafe and food bank services will also end.

"Staff are also putting together sheets with other options for people to book interpreters," Symmonds said.

Courses will also finish in June and July.

Symmonds added it did "not look like anyone else will take over the services".

He praised supporters for trying to fundraise to keep it open but said it would not "generate enough money for us to continue".

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