RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of the RNID South West range. You'll find it useful if you want to know what's available for deaf people in the south west area. We use the term 'deaf' throughout to refer to all types of hearing loss.

Read this factsheet for details of:

RNID in the south west

In the south west we help deaf people become more involved in community activities, and to have a much better quality of life.

Some of the work we do includes:

  • providing information for deaf people by organising events, talks and presentations
  • trying to reach people who are isolated and who have little access to information for deaf people, including engaging them in local community and social activities
  • working with professionals who work with deaf people to improve awareness of the needs of deaf people. We also tell them about the equipment and services that are available to improve access to their services.

Contact RNID

RNID South West outreach information officer

RNID South West, Pounds House, 162 Outland Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL2 BPX.
Tel/fax: 01752 776879
Textphone: 01752 773274
information.southwest@rnid.org.uk

RNID South West regional communications officer

RNID South West, Berkeley House, The Square, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3BH.
Tel/textphone: 01225 485765
Fax: 01225 485778
information.southwest@rnid.org.uk

RNID's South West employment adviser

RNID South West, Pounds House, 162 Outland Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL2 BPX.
Telephone: 01752 774127
Textphone: 01752 774131
Fax: 01752 774127

RNID Typetalk regional outreach co-ordinator

John Wood House, Harrington Road, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool L3 4DF.
Textphone: 01579 347134
Fax: 01579 346184

RNID Sound Advantage

RNID Sound Advantage sells a range of equipment for deaf people. Visit the RNID Shop to buy some of the equipment online, or send off for a copy of the RNID Sound Advantage Solutions catalogue.

Sound Advantage business development officer

1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX.
Telephone: 07889 730533
Textphone: 01733 238020
Fax: 01733 361161 

Lipreading classes

Lipreading is a vital aid to communication for anyone with a hearing loss. It is the skill of using all visual information to supplement residual hearing. Here are details of classes in the south west region.

Cornwall

WEA Truro Office, 47 Lemon Street, Truro TR1 2NS.
Telephone: 01872 320036
cornwalloffice@wea.org.uk

Devon

WEA, Bradnich Court, Castle Street, Exeter EX4 3PL.
Telephone: 01392 490970
Fax: 01392 474330
southwest@wea.org.uk

Dorset

Telephone: 01305 251040

British Sign Language (BSL) classes

British Sign Language  (BSL) is the language used by the deaf community in the UK. It is a visual language with a complex grammar made up of handshapes, facial expression and body movements.

Cornwall

Cornwall Deaf Association, 3-4 Quay Mews, Quay Street, Truro TR1 2UL.
Telephone: 01872 225868
Textphone: 01872 263664
cornwall@deaf.freeserve.co.uk

Penwith adult & community education, St Clare Street, Penzance TR18 2SA.
Telephone: 01736 335 000

Truro College, College Road, Truro TR1 3XX.
Telephone: 01872 267000

Devon

Brixham Community College, Higher Ranscombe Road, Brixham TQ5 9HF.
Telephone: 01803 853302

East Devon College, Bolham Road, Tiverton, EX16 6SH.
Telephone: 01884 235264

Exeter community education, 12 St David's Hill, Exeter EX4 3RG.
Telephone: 01392 662666

Exmouth Community College, 10-12 Victoria Road, Exmouth, EX8 1DL.
Telephone: 01395 223851

Ivybridge Community College, Harford Road, Ivybridge PL21 OJA.
Telephone: 01752 691000

King Edward VI College Community Education, The Mansion, Fore Street, Totnes TQ9 5RP.
Telephone: 01803 863020

Paignton Community College, Bishop's Place, Paignton, Torbay TQ3 3DZ.
Telephone: 01803 403007

South Dartmoor Community College, Balland Lane, Ashburton TQ13 7EW.
Telephone: 01364 659369

South Devon College, Newton Road, TQ2 5BY.
Telephone: 01803 400700

Dorset

Bournemouth and Poole College, Lansdowne, Bournemouth BH1 3JJ.
Telephone: 01202 205205
enquiries@thecollege.co.uk


Dorset County Council, Bridport adult education centre, St Andrews Road, Bridport DT6 3BJ.
Telephone: 01392 662666
adult.ed@dorset-cc.gov.uk


Weymouth College, Cranford Avenue, DT4 7LQ.
Telephone: 01305 761100

Deaf and hard of hearing clubs

Cornwall

Cornwall Deaf Association, 3-4 Quay Mews, Quay Street,
Truro TR1 2UL.
Telephone: 01872 225868
Textphone: 01872 263664
cornwall@deaf.freeserve.co.uk

  • Information and advice.
  • Communication support services.
  • Deaf children's books and video library.
  • NHS hearing aid batteries.

Cornwall Deaf Club, 5a Charles Street, Cambourne TR14 8JF.
Telephone: 01209 711739
Textphone: 01209 711739
Fax: 01209 711739 (eve)

  • Meets the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 5.00pm.
  • The third Saturday of each month is the hard of hearing club.

Devon

Exeter Deaf social club, Palace Gate Centre, 3 Palace Gate, Exeter EX1 1JA.
Telephone: 01392 662510
Textphone: 01392 662510

  • Social activities.
  • Darts, bingo, pool/snooker.
  • Senior citizens welcome.
  • Visitors welcome.

Blake Lodge Deaf Centre – Plymouth Deaf Association, Blake Lodge, Seymour Road, Mannamead PL3 5AS.
Telephone: 01752 603685
Textphone: 01752 603685

  • Church services held the third Sunday of each month.
  • Social club opens on Thursday and Saturday evenings 7.00pm-11.00pm.
  • Senior citizens meet 1.00pm-4.00pm every Wednesday.

Torbay Deaf Social Club, Abbey Hall, Rock Road, Torquay TQ2 5SP.
Telephone: 01803 290403
Textphone: 01803 290403
Fax: 01803 215918

  • Every Wednesday 6.30pm-11.00pm and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month 7.00pm-11.00pm.
  • WAGS senior citizens club Wednesday 3pm-6.30pm.
  • Church service the first Sunday of the month 4pm.
  • Ladies club and skittles also available.

Dorset

Ed Maeer, Bournemouth and District Tinnitus Group, East Cliff United Reform Church, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth.
Telephone: 01202 518647 or contact Barbara on 01202 250693 or Joan on 01202 747951

  • Meets fourth Wednesday in month at 2.15pm apart from December.
  • Annual subscription.
  • Friendly, informal group which warmly welcomes new members.
  • Selection of tapes and books on tinnitus and various pieces of equipment available to borrow.

Bournemouth Deaf Club, Lockyer Hall, 27a Morley Road, Bournemouth BH5 2JJ.
Textphone: 01202 418888

Concern with Hearing – East Dorset, 8 Ivy Road, Merley, Wimborne BH21 1RT.
Telephone: 01202 885182

Social services

Social services provide support to people whose needs may be related to their hearing loss. They also offer general support to deaf people.

Cornwall

Hearing resource centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske.
Telephone: 01872 253746
Fax: 01872 254919
Audiology.Secretary@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk


Devon

Exeter sensory team
Telephone: 01392 383730 or 383733
Textphone: 01392 383733/30
Fax: 01392 383767

There is also a mobile resource unit which travels around West Devon and Torridge on a regular timetable, offering a free, confidential and impartial service for people with a hearing loss and/or sight loss.
Telephone: 01392 383758

Plymouth advisory team for sensory support, the Mannamead centre, Eggbuckland Road, Plymouth PL3 5HF.
Telephone/textphone/fax: 01752 251258

Dorset

Dorset County Council, County Hall, Coliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ.
Telephone: 01305 251 000

Hearing therapists

Hearing therapists give information and advice about hearing aids, communication techniques and equipment which can help people with a hearing loss. They may also offer counselling and help with balance problems and lipreading.

Contact your local audiology department to find out more.

Hearing aid clinics

Hearing aid clinics are held regularly so you don't have to keep going back to the audiology department. They will give you advice on hearing aid repairs, retubing and replacements.

Contact your local audiology department to find out more.