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Supporting Deaf people and those with acquired hearing difficulties to live independent lives
See all the latest news from West Norfolk Deaf Association
In the press
Rare book handed into No8 The Old Bookshop in Downham Market sells at Edinburgh auction for £4,400
Lynn News - February 8th 2024
"An eagle-eyed bookshop manager knew there was something special about a tattered book donated to her charity shop.
The large book was handed to No8 The Old Bookshop in Downham, and manager Sarah Cox had a hunch that it was a special volume. She therefore decided to apply a little research with the help of her volunteers.
Her suspicions were spot-on, and the rare book was sold at a specialist auction on Wednesday for a whopping £4,400 – which will all go to the West Norfolk Deaf Association, the charity behind No8.
Staff and volunteers from the charity gathered at the Lynn Deaf Centre on Railway Road to watch the live auction in Edinburgh, when the 1847 book on Euclidian Geometry – attributed to an ancient Greek mathematician – went under the hammer of famous auction house Lyon and Turnbull"..."READ MORE...
West Norfolk Deaf Association is offering free school workshop to prepare for new British Sign Language GCSE
Lynn News - January 16th 2024
"A West Norfolk charity is offering a free workshop to schools to prepare for the arrival of a new GCSE.
Every school in the district, across all ages, has been invited to the West Norfolk Deaf Association’s British Sign Language (BSL) in Schools workshop. It will take place this Friday (January 19) at its headquarters on Railway Road in Lynn.
British Sign Language will be added to the national curriculum from September 2025.
The workshop is aimed at leaders, teachers, and staff, and will include sessions on British Sign Language and how it can enhance existing curriculums – as well as the sharing of resources and a special session for BSL at primary and nursery stages" ..."READ MORE...
Thousands gather on promenade for Hunstanton’s Christmas Day Swim
Lynn News - December 27th 2023
"Residents from far and wide flocked to a seaside town to watch and take part in a festive tradition more than half a century old.
Some 2,000 people gathered on the Hunstanton Promenade to watch approximately 160 brave the cold waters and raise money for six different causes on Christmas Day.
With banners, fancy dress and even a few of their pets, people waded into the North Sea, which was recorded at four degrees Celcius" ...READ MORE...
Teaching sign language in schools is 'brilliant'
BBC Radio Norfolk - October 19th 2023
"The West Norfolk Deaf Association says British Sign Language could soon be taught in schools, following a government consultation. Anna Pugh, from the charity, hopes it could roll out in primary schools as early as next year"... LISTEN HERE...
Windy the owl comes to town with book launch
Your Local Paper - September 22nd 2023
"A children’s book specially designed for young deaf people to enjoy has been launched in West Norfolk.
The book, titled Windy, was written and illustrated by West Norfolk Deaf Association’s (WNDA) Sarah Cox.
It was first shown at Hunstanton’s Community Centre last week during a sensory story-time session.
Windy contains British Sign Language (BSL) signs for key words and a QR code to the whole story in BSL, and is designed for any young child to enjoy." ...READ MORE...
Oliver Kenny: The Deaflympian achieving his dream to launch his very own swim school for young deaf swimmers
The Limping Chicken - February 23rd 2023
"My name is Oliver Kenny although most people call me Oli. I am profoundly deaf and wear a cochlear implant. I grew up in a village called Watlington which is outside of King’s Lynn. I am a swimming teacher and coach, I teach school swimming lessons, mainstream swimming lessons and I coach for West Norfolk Swimming Club. I also teach at my deaf swim school “Kenny deaf swim school.”
A beautiful bookshop bursting with character
KL Magazine - August 31st 2022
"With inspiring ideas, enchanting décor, and a wonderfully welcome feel, No 8 The Old Bookshop in Downham Market is one of Norfolk's most delightful hidden gems...
Sitting proudly on Downham Market's charming high street, No 8 The Old Bookshop is the true definition of a treasure trove.
An astounding literary haven, it's beautifully decorated shelves are filled with thousands of pre-loved titles - from fantastic fiction and specialist cookbooks to valuable vintage volumes and rare novels no longer in print"... READ MORE...
North West Norfolk MP James Wild running London Marathon for local charities
Lynn News - August 19th 2022
"MP James Wild is set to run the London Marathon again this year for three causes in the West Norfolk area.
Despite saying he would not do it again after completing it last year, the North West Norfolk MP has decided to run the race on Sunday, October 2.
His race will support the Pandora Project, West Norfolk Deaf Association and West Norfolk Befriending" ... READ MORE...
West Norfolk Wins on 4th Birthday
West Norfolk Wins - 26th May 2022
"As local lottery West Norfolk Wins celebrates its fourth birthday it is also celebrating raising over £92,000 for good causes in the local community and more than £54,000 won by players...
Anna Pugh, Manager for West Norfolk Deaf Association who have raised over £7,000 from the local lottery, said: “As a local charity, West Norfolk Deaf Association is dependent on the generosity of donors and fundraisers like West Norfolk Wins to continue our work with deaf children, adults and elders, and people with acquired hearing difficulties in west Norfolk"... READ MORE...
Vote now for your Lynn News Charity of the Year
Lynn News - Friday 20th May 2022
"Today, we unveil the shortlist of causes from which you can choose our new Charity of the Year, with the winner featuring regularly in the Lynn News.
Many suggestions have been made via social media, word of mouth and letter.
Scroll to the end of the story to vote in our poll to help decide the winner.
Here, the causes make their cases for your support"... READ MORE...
WNDA wins Best Customer Care category at Mayor's Business Awards 2022!
Lynn News - Saturday 5th March 2022
"West Norfolk's businesses have been praised for their "resilience" as the brightest and best of them were recognised last night.
Hundreds of guests attended the Mayor's Business Awards, hosted in association with the Lynn News, at Lynn's Corn Exchange, two years on from the last ceremony held shortly before the first Covid lockdown.
And West Norfolk Council deputy leader Graham Middleton said the pandemic, together with Brexit and rising costs, had created a "perfect storm" for companies"... READ MORE...
Dance class proves popular in King's Lynn
Lynn News - Tuesday 11th January 2022
"Dance classes have begun at Railway Road in Lynn as part of a Strictly-style dance competition being held by the West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA).
The classes are for anyone to attend and is the first ever dance competition for those with hearing loss.
There is a chance to lift that glitterball trophy at the end of the session of classes which run until March 5 every Saturday at 1.30pm.
Recent winners of Strictly Come Dancing were Giovanni Pernice and his partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, a British actress.
Deaf since birth, she is a British Sign Language user and is known for playing Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap opera EastEnders"... READ MORE...
West Norfolk 2022 Mayor's Business Awards: Customer Care category finalists
Lynn News - Saturday 1st January 2022
"Going that extra mile for the customer is recognised in this week’s focus on finalists for the 2022 Mayor’s Business Awards.
The shortlist was announced a fortnight ago and the judges are working through picking the winners.
There was a really great response to the call for nominations and it was tough just whittling them down" ... READ MORE...
10 Years of winners in our community
The Health Lottery - Friday 8th October 2021
"The Health Lottery celebrates a decade of supporting people in need, here's how some of the money you helped raise has been used.
ONLY CONNECT - Helping hearing-impaired people make connections and carry out practical tasks such as paying bills. The West Norfolk Deaf Association received a £25,000 grant that enabled it to take on more staff so it can make a real difference to those feeling isolated."
Special anniversary for Downham Market bookshop
Lynn News - Friday 8th October 2021
"There will be celebrations at a special book shop in Downham Market later this month.
No8 The Old Bookshop has been trading in the town for five years and, more importantly, has been helping members of the deaf community throughout that time.
The high street shop raises money for the West Norfolk Deaf Association and is also a venue for hearing support for residents in and around Downham.
Despite the difficulties of the past 18 months created by the pandemic, No8 The Old Bookshop in Downham is going from strength-to-strength and will be marking the anniversary on Saturday, October 16 with cake, live music and a treat trail for children with the first clue at the shop"... READ MORE...
Deaf man didn't know why his carers stopped visiting as he 'hadn’t heard news about lockdown'
Daily Mirror - Wednesday 4th August 2021
"LONELINESS and isolation has been a growing problem for many of us over the past year, but the loss of face-to-face contact has been especially tough for deaf people.
So charities have provided vital support – and some have remained open with social distancing to assist with day-to-day tasks. These include help with bills and letters, as people who have grown up using BSL as their first language may not be able to read written English well.”
“We get a lot of people who come in with letters from the council or their insurance company, for example,” says charity worker Anna Pugh. “If you don’t use communication, you lose it,” she explains, stressing the difficulties the hearing-impaired community has faced, such as finding lip-reading impossible because of face masks"... READ MORE...
King's Lynn supermarket champion supports West Norfolk Deaf Association
Lynn News - Wednesday 5th August 2021
"Morrisons supermarket champion has gone above and beyond to help West Norfolk Deaf Association and help raise awareness of the charity. and the store is also benefiting from recent training on communication awareness and best practice.
Tania Hanks rolled up her sleeves to help the West Norfolk charity prepare its children’s area for the restarting of a summer club. She visited the Railway Road headquarters to tidy the children’s garden area which is now ready for the return of the children’s group during the holidays"... READ MORE...
Deaf Association seeks help with exhibition
Lynn News - Wednesday 21st July 2021
"The West Norfolk Deaf Association is holding a photography exhibition this autumn and is looking for people to submit their pictures on the theme of Communication.
Photography clubs and individuals are invited to take part and help raise awareness of the charity and those it supports – and their work could feature in a calendar.
“We have all experienced a separation from those we love and communication has been a major focus for all of us during the pandemic. This has been made more evident with face masks, social distancing and online meetings. For the members of our community who have hearing problems it has been particularly difficult,” said general manager Anna Pugh"... READ MORE...
Charity appealing for help with exhibition
Eastern Daily Press - Wednesday 21st July 2021
"A west Norfolk charity is appealing for help with its photography exhibition that aims to raise awareness of its work and those it supports.
The West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA) is holding the exhibition this autumn and is asking people to help them by submitting pictures on the theme of communication to highlight the charity's work and also the challenges faced by people in the deaf community.
Photography clubs and amateur photographers are being invited to take part in the event at the Norfolk Creative Arts Centre at Churchill School from October 23 to 30, and 12 of the best pictures will be used to create a WNDA calendar which will be sold to help boost funds"... READ MORE...
Appeal for photos
Your Local Paper - Friday 23rd July 2021
"A King’s Lynn charity is looking for people to submit pictures on the theme of Communication for its autumn exhibition.
The West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA) is inviting photography clubs and individuals to take part and help raise awareness of the charity and those it supports...
...The charity is asking for a small hanging and entrance fee to cover the cost of hiring the gallery. Twelve pictures will also be used to create a calendar to help boost funds.
The exhibition will be at the Norfolk Creative Arts Centre in Grimston from October 23 to 30.
To take part call 01553 773399 or email info@wnda.org.uk"... READ MORE...
West Norfolk Deaf Association has new leaders and a revamp
Lynn News - Wednesday 7th July 2021
"West Norfolk Deaf Association has come out of lockdown with new faces at the helm, refurbished and updated premises and plenty of ideas for connecting with the community again.
Anna Pugh was appointed as manager early in the year and brings with her more than 40 years of experience of working with people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
She said: ”We are excited to restart our work in the community with our fabulous team of volunteers to support NHS hearing aid wearers to make the most of their technology and communication skills. We have also just opened an earwax removal service, and relaunched the website."... READ MORE...
Businesses back West Norfolk charity's Covid lipreading plea
Lynn News - Wednesday 5th May 2021
"A charity has launched a new initiative to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by West Norfolk’s deaf community as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The requirement to wear masks in shops and other indoor settings can pose major problems for people with hearing loss, who rely on lipreading to help communicate with others.
Now, to mark this week’s Deaf Awareness Week, the West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA) is leading a campaign encouraging businesses to do more to help customers who need to lipread"... READ MORE...
Campaign to raise awareness of challenges faced by deaf community launched
Eastern Daily Press - Friday 7th May 2021
"A campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by deaf and hard of hearing people during the pandemic has been backed by local businesses.
The West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA) set up an initiative this week calling for more to be done to help the deaf community who have lost a "crucial part of communication" as a result of wearing face masks in shops and businesses. The King's Lynn based charity, which also runs the No8 The Old Bookshop in Downham Market, said lipreading becomes "impossible" for the deaf and hard of hearing in these situations, and have been campaigning to get businesses to join efforts in spreading the message about the issue"... READ MORE...
Tips on communicating with people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Eastern Daily Press - Tuesday 16th March 2021
"The importance of communication can’t be underestimated - being able to express your hopes, fears and dreams to others is something most people may take for granted and not even think twice about."
And communicating during a pandemic while many of us are more isolated than before highlights the importance of being able to do that effectively, with face masks posing an even greater challenge for those who rely on lip reading.
West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA) has said making your voice heard becomes a "skill set" for people that are deaf of hard of hearing, adding it can be "the key to help unlock the wall of silence." ... READ MORE...
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