Northamptonshire Freemasons gift £42,000 wellbeing grant to Deafblind UK

Hundreds of people living with deafblindness across the country will receive essential emotional support, thanks to a grant of £42,000 from Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Freemasons to the Deafblind UK charity.

The charity, which provides in-depth assistance to people with sight and hearing loss, has recently launched a new service aimed at helping people who are deafblind with wellbeing and emotional support issues.

Many people that Deafblind UK supports are left alone with their thoughts, with little knowledge of what is happening around them.

Steve Conway, CEO of Deafblind UK said: “We’re really grateful to Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Freemasons for their generous grant, which is allowing us to offer a vital new support service to our clients.

“It can be physically very tiring when you’re trying to communicate and get by in a world designed for sighted hearing people, but it can have a big effect on mental health too. Our new service aims to support people who feel isolated and lonely and to let them know they’re not alone.”

A special six week package has been designed to help people who are deafblind express themselves and learn more about the long-term support that is available.

It is estimated that there are nearly 400,000 people living in the UK with deafblindness today.

They often have no conversation with family and friends, no TV or music and no books. Depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts can result.

The grant from Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

David Burton from Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Freemasons said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Deafblind UK with their excellent new support service.

"Mental health is an issue for many people, but it’s especially difficult for people with sight and hearing difficulties. This is a vital project and I’m proud that Freemasons are able to support it.”

The six-week support service can be accessed by calling 0800 132320 or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, visit www.deafblind.org.uk for more information.

Deafblind UK is a national charity supporting people with sight and hearing loss. We exist because too many people are living with deafblindness and not getting the help they need. We show people that there can be a life beyond deafblindness.

Deafblindness does not mean complete loss of sight and hearing – it is a spectrum that can range from very mild (struggling to follow conversations or see the TV) to severe (complete loss).

For more information go to the Deafblind UK website