One-to-one befriending service across Northern Ireland for older people who are deaf or have a hearing loss.
If you know someone who is over 55, who has a hearing loss or is deaf, and is feeling lonely and isolated, our befriending service can help provide them with social support.
Through our 'In Touch' befriending project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, we can match older people living at home (or in a residential home) with a trained volunteer who can provide the type of support they would benefit from.
The person may be living at home or in a residential home, and could be feeling a little bit lonely and cut off from other people because of their hearing loss. Maybe they're worried about travelling on a bus or going into a cafe on their own. A volunteer befriender can accompany them on social outings, to help them regain their independence. If they would just like someone to visit them at home for a chat over a cup of tea, we can look for a befriender with similar interests, and an understanding of hearing loss, to call on them.
Please note: Referrals to the In Touch befriending service can only be received from a trusted provider, such as a Health and Social Care Trust, GP, sensory support service, audiology, ENT, or a voluntary sector organisation.
Through our In Touch project, we also deliver Hearing Health training to staff in residential homes and sheltered housing schemes detailing communication tips, deaf awareness and equipment available for residents with hearing loss.
We can provide an information talk to all residents, explaining hearing loss and Action on Hearing Loss services.
We can also invite our Hearing Aid User Support Service to carry out maintenance and simple repairs to residents' hearing aids, if required.
For more information, please contact us at: outreachni@hearingloss.org.uk
