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The Guernsey Hard of Hearing Association (GHHA) is hosting its annual inter-island reunion this weekend (19 and 20 October) to coincide with its 30th anniversary celebrations.
The Guernsey Hard of Hearing Association (GHHA) is hosting its annual inter-island reunion this weekend (19 and 20 October) to coincide with its 30th anniversary celebrations.
Sponsored in part by a generous donation from Mercator Trust, the reunion will see around 70 islanders from Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney who live with hearing difficulties come together for a weekend of activities ranging from go-karting and archery to a chocolate workshop and even a ghost tour.
Guernsey Hard of Hearing Association aims to improve the everyday lives of the deaf and hard of hearing as well as their families. Part of this work involves introducing technology such as bed shaking alarm clocks and flashing fire alarms as well as arranging social events for the Association’s members.
However when it comes to methods of communication, Edwina Brazier the secretary of the association said modern technology is not always enough: “Some hard of hearing folk and those deaf who use sign language, feel the social side of things is very important”.
Sharon McMillan, a director at Mercator said it was an easy decision to help the organisation: “It particularly struck a chord with me as two of my grandparents were deaf-mute so from an early age I was taught how to communicate with them using sign language.
“Social gatherings such as this are very important for the deaf community and go a long way to eradicating the sense of isolation that can be felt by many with a hearing problem.”
