Deaf Club gets aid from Red Cross

From: Worcester Standard, UK - May 11, 2006


A CLUB for deaf people whose future looked uncertain are celebrating finding a new venue to hold their meetings.

Worcester Deaf Club, which has been supporting the city's deaf community for around 50 years, were told by Worcestershire County Council's Social Services that they would no longer be able to use Unity House in Stanley Road for their monthly meetings in March last year.

The club were dealt a second blow when they contacted a list of social service community centres they had been given only to be told they were either full or could not accommodate them.

However, the Red Cross have now stepped in to help the club by letting them use their offices on Green Hill, London Road and also will accommodate them at their new offices when they are built in Blackpole.

Committee member Anthony Day said when they were told about the closure of Unity House the club were not very happy at the prospect of having to find somewhere else to hold their meetings.

They were also worried that despite being given a £300 resettlement grant, the cost of renting a room would mean that they would have to start charging membership.

"The Red Cross have been absolutely fantastic and we would like to thank them because they have secured the future of Worcester Deaf Club," he added.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said Unity House closed as it offered an out-of-date mode of care in line with government agendas and it had tried to help the community groups find alternative venues.

"We are pleased that Worcester Deaf Club have found a new meeting place and can continue their good work," he added.

Anyone who wants to join Worcester Deaf Club should write to PO Box 38, Worcester, WR4 0ZY.

Catherine Phillips

©2006 The Worcester Standard