Founder Member Wins Bromley Mayor Award

THE FOUNDING OF DEAF ACCESS AND COMMUNITY HOUSE

In about 1980 David was involved in setting up the charity ‘Bromley Chain’ for people with hearing problems, through his daughter Sarah being diagnosed as deaf. David was the founder chairman. At the Bromley Chain launch, he said that he dreamt of a centre for the hearing impaired in the borough.

In 1994 Bromley council offered a grant for a resource centre for the deaf in Bromley. David was involved in setting up ‘The Bromley Resource Centre for the Hearing Impaired’, later known as ‘The Access Centre’ and then Deaf Access. In 1995 David was a founding joint chairman for the first year, then becoming company secretary until 2016, when Deaf Access merged with DeafPLUS he transferred there.

The centre opened in a room in Beckenham Hospital, transferring into Community House in 1999. The representatives of the five main charities formed the trustee board, David being a founder trustee there until 2020.

Deaf Access was set up to provide support to people of all ages and all hearing problems, from hard of hearing to profoundly deaf, including deaf blind. The centre provided many kinds of clubs and support. The major support being in advocacy, to give guidance, understanding letters and making contacts and communicating for the client.

 As one client said;-

        'to get my needs across is difficult as I am profoundly deaf, I was struggling to get the support I needed, communication was difficult. Without Deaf Access signposting me to the correct people I would not have been able to do it. The letter given me to support my argument played a big part in my success.'

The centre was and is an important support organisation for people with hearing problems. In order to survive however they needed funds, so in 1999, with support of his Rotary Club of Langley Park, he trialled Antique Vintage and Collectable Fairs, which were successful. He organised 50 fairs raising almost £64,000, with 50% going to Deaf Access.