New Hear Me! project to support deaf children and families in North East Wales

A new project that provides specialist tailored support to deaf children, young people and their families has been launched in North East Wales.

The ‘Hear Me!’ project, which will be operated by the Deaf & Sensory Network (DSN), has been backed by Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths.

The launch of Hear Me! coincides with Deaf Awareness Week, that runs from 6-12 May.

DSN has been awarded £248,708 to employ specialist project workers and staff for the Hear Me! project, which aims to support deaf children, young people, and their families in Wrexham and Flintshire.

This will improve communication in the home and in social environments, as well as improving confidence and independence, socialisation, relationships and wellbeing.

Each deaf child and family will receive up to 10 at-home sessions and children, young people and families supported by Hear Me! will also be able to access wider support as well as monthly family activities set up by the dedicated team.

DSN successfully applied for a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to enable them to deliver the project in Wrexham and Flintshire.

Lesley Griffiths MS recently met with some DSN members who will be operating the Hear Me! project in Wrexham.

She said: “The DSN is well established and has had great success over the border in Cheshire so I am pleased people in and around Wrexham are now set to benefit, thanks to a substantial grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

“The project is very much family-oriented and could have a transformative impact on people’s lives. Deafness affects every child differently but the dedicated Hear Me! team will visit homes and provide tailored support to parents, many of which will have never previously encountered deafness.”

Pam Craige, Hear Me! Project Coordinator at DSN said: “Through the Hear Me! Project, we’re empowering deaf children, young people, and their families to enhance communication and foster inclusion in our local community.

“The National Lottery’s generous funding is the key to making a positive impact and ensuring deaf children can thrive in the community for generations to come.”