Call for action to save DeafConnect services

Cllrs Sally Keeble and Rufia Ashraf are calling on the leaders of both Northamptonshire councils to provide a reprieve for the county’s only service for people with hearing impairments.

The announcement that DeafConnect is to close has shocked people in the deaf community, and their friends and family members. The organisation serves 350 people a week with a wide range of services and activities from its centre in Dallington Spencer which Cllrs Ashraf and Keeble represent.

The closure was forced by a financial crisis when a major bid to a national funder was turned down. Rufia Ashraf and Sally Keeble visited the centre today and heard from service users and their families about the importance of the sign language interpreters, and training, advice and support it provides. DeafConnect forms a key part of the sensory impairment services for North and West Northamptonshire Councils.

The councillors have now written to the two council leaders calling for a reprieve for the organisation to give a chance to secure the future of its services.

“it would be a tragedy if the expertise, skills and credibility of the existing service is lost,” they said in their letter. “We cannot describe the level of distress about the closure of DeafConnect, both in the deaf community and beyond. We have been approached by many people in the community, some who have been in tears.”

The councillors are also contacting the county’s MPs to support DeafConnect and will be working with the organisation in looking to the future.