Royal appointment

From: South London Press, UK - Mar 28, 2003

By Richard Evans, South London Press

THE Wandsworth Centre for Hearing Impaired Children received a visit from the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) newest trustee - Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

She met young children with severe hearing loss and their parents during her visit on Wednesday, to learn more about the support and help families receive.

The Wandsworth service is part of the Early Support Pilot Programme, funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). RNID works closely with DfES and the Wandsworth service to manage and deliver this support.

Dr John Low, chief executive of RNID, said: "The countess really enjoyed her visit with the children as they took part in a singing group. Parents shared their experiences of coping with deaf children, some of whom were not diagnosed until they were three years old.

"She is going to be a working member of the RNID board so is very keen to experience the work first hand."

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