
DeafCOG Launch - Community Connect Project
Event Information
Description

Company (limited by Guarantee) Registration No: 7833351
DeafCOG Launch - Community Connect Project
On Friday 18 November 2016, Deaf Cultural Outreach Group (DeafCOG) launches a Big Lottery Fund project that focuses on Combating Loneliness in Older Deaf People, through peer support and IT knowledge development.
DeafCOG will also coordinate and manage other community engagement activities for adults over the next year to shape and improve the health and wellbeing of the Deaf Community in East Sussex.
This project has grown from DeafCOG’s activity in East Sussex since 2010 and from its involvement in the East Sussex Better Together (ESBT) programme, which is currently developing a fully integrated health and social care system in East Sussex. This new model will begin a test phase in April 2017, completing the programme in 2018.
DeafCOG is an active member of the Engagement and Communication Advisory Group for ESBT. We are a Deaf-led organisation, we know our community’s strengths and are part of that community. Our positive ‘can do’ attitude towards deafness has put us in a strong position to be part of future integrated services.
The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2014/15 ‘Growing resilience in East Sussex’ (DPH Report 14/15), outlines the benefits of developing strong resilient communities to improve health outcomes for local people.
Kim Wyer, DeafCOG Project Lead and PA Community Co-ordinator:
"We, the Deaf community, recognise a strong community ensures that everyone in it is supported appropriately, empowering members to tackle issues collectively and collaboratively to ensure the wellness of all”.
We will continue our work with local services and providers supporting people with real lived community knowledge to make positive changes.
Government cuts mean that money needs to be spent wisely. In the long term the integrated social and health care model will be cost effective and provide improved health outcomes, helping to reduce inequality in East Sussex.
The UK Government recognises and identifies the causes of health inequality as:
- Social, economic, environmental e.g.; housing, jobs, education, transport, income
- Lifestyles and behaviour e.g.; smoking, diet, exercise
- Access to Services e.g. Access to services and support that will benefit their health.
National research carried out by The Deaf Health Charity - Sign Health, through the ‘Sick of It Report’, highlights health inequality for Deaf people in the UK.
Arrival - 9.30am: Refreshments, stalls and network.
10.00am to 12.00 noon: Welcome Presentations and group discussions.
12.30pm to 2.30pm: For those that wish to continue talking to us, you are warmly invited to join us to network and enjoy some lunch at The Dolphin Pub.
This is an opportunity:
- To learn about/enrol in the various activities planned by DeafCOG for 2016/17 in East Sussex.
- For providers to engage with the Deaf Community, learn more about what DeafCOG can offer; including our partnership PA Community Service with Action Deafness.
- For you to tell us how you would like to see our work in East Sussex developing in the future.
- To explore potential opportunities to work with us, in both voluntary and paid capacities.
You will be able to meet with: DeafCOG, Action Deafness, BSL Healthy Minds, part of Sign Health Charity and East Sussex Public Health Department and our guest speaker Damian Brewer; who will talk about Deaf people’s experiences of accessing A&E services and the Accessible Information Standard.
So, why don’t you book your tickets here now?
Notes to editors
- The Big Lottery Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It puts people in the lead to improve their lives and communities, often through small, local projects.
- It is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Every year it invests over £650 million and awards around 12,000 grants across the UK for health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
- Since June 2004 it has awarded over £8 billion to projects that change the lives of millions of people.
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
1st Floor, Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP
Tel: +(44) 0844 593 8440, Fax: +(44) 0844 593 8445, Email: enquires@actiondeafness.org.uk, Website: www.actiondeafness.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1163758, Company (limited by Guarantee) Registration No: 06706042.