#Deaf #CommunicationSupport

Hi my name is Mark Mills from beautiful Cornwall. I'm fundraising to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing people to continue to live independantly in the community with support, until other alternative services can be sorted.

For 25 years I have been working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as a Communication Support Worker for the local authority.

last year the local authority had a restructure and decided to make my job redundant and tried to out source it, with no success, this action has had a devastating effect on both customers and families.

I had to tell them that I only had 8 more weeks to help and support them, after providing a Fantastic service for 25 years, this was an emotional and difficult thing to do. Customers became stressed and insecure and I didnt have the answers, because the aurhority hadnt done any research or made the apropriate calls.

I feel very strongly about this as I worked with the minority of Deaf people who were brought up the oral method, Sigh Language wasn't allowed in schools, meaning Deaf children had to lip-read and as a result now need ongoing support to live in the community and have a quality of life.

My job was mainly communication support, but it was more than that.

All my customers seem to have capacity, but when you look into it they don't, they will nod, say yes convincingly and with confidence, leaving you to believe they have understood.

How can you have capacity, if you don't know the consequences of your decisions or actions?

The funds would help continue the vital support needed and bring relief, happiness and gratitude to both customers and carers.

Any donations will be greatly received with regular updates.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and any feedback would be most welcome

Regards Mark.