Deaf support to continue after charity closes

Local support for people who are deaf and hard of hearing will still continue after a 150-year-old charity closes, two councils have confirmed.

Northamptonshire-based Deafconnect announced it would shut this Tuesday due to lack of funds.

But north and west Northamptonshire councils said Cambridgeshire-based RJ Community CIC (community interest company) would start running the service the following day.

RJ Community said it had acted quickly to take over from the charity to ensure there was no disruption.

Mark Symmonds, a trustee for Deafconnect, said it was no longer "viable" to run the service and the decision to close had been taken with a "very heavy heart".

The full closure was scheduled for the end of July but the charity brought that forward after it discovered its financial position was "more challenging than previously understood".

In a joint statement, the two councils said they had "proactively engaged with a range of organisations regarding a replacement service and have received a number of expressions of interest".

The charity supported about 300 people annually and the councils expect this to be replicated by the new provider.

RJ Community CIC, based in Whittlesey, supports people who are deaf, deafblind and who have other levels of hearing loss to access information, advocacy, training, and activities.

Ruth Godden, from the CIC, said: "We recognise how important continuity of support is, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition while building a strong, responsive service shaped by the community."

She said it would deliver "inclusive, accessible services that reflect local needs".

Eddie McDonald, North Northamptonshire Council's deputy Reform UK leader and executive member for adult services, said: "Our priority is ensuring that people feel supported, connected, and confident that their needs will continue to be met."

Laura Couse, West Northamptonshire Council's Reform UK cabinet member for adult care and public health, said: "This partnership provides an opportunity to strengthen how people access information and advice, and to ensure services are designed in a way that removes barriers and promotes greater inclusion."

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