AN ex-firefighter turned deaf awareness trainer has helped dozens of care staff brush up on their skills to improve their work with people with hearing loss.

Retired firefighter Brian Cadwallader began volunteering at Chester-based Deafness Support Network (DSN) out of a necessity of learning British Sign Language (BSL) whilst attending emergency incidents where communication would break down when it was most needed.

Having dedicated over 25 years to DSN, from raising charity funds through to climbing mountains like Mt Kilimanjaro and the Peruvian Andes, he eventually became a trustee and the vice chair of the organisation.

Becoming one of his true passions in life, Brian went back to train as a BSL teacher and assessor and is now employed in a partnership role with New Leaf and DSN to deliver deaf awareness training to organisations across Cheshire.

Brian’s latest training program was delivered to Cheshire’s Vivo Care Choices, who provide a range of support to people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions and older people, including those with dementia.

Brian said: “Vivo Care wanted to become more engaged with deaf people and break down any communication barriers in the workplace and whilst offering their services. Our training covers all the fundamentals of learning how to work with deaf people and those with a hearing loss.”

Anouska Panesh, area manager for Shared Lives at Vivo said: “The Deaf Awareness training was professionally delivered and very interactive. Our staff found it extremely valuable and beneficial, particularly in learning about the various technology that can be used to support deaf people to live independently at home.”

NHS England estimates that by 2031,14.5 million people in the UK, approximately 20 per cent of the population, will have a hearing loss.

The Deaf Awareness course has been developed to help organisations become more proactive in their approach in dealing with hearing loss and deaf people. The course allows people to:

• Improve communication skills and confidence between hearing loss sufferers and deaf people and the workplace.

• Identify and work proactively to find solutions to issues which may occur when not accommodating for deaf people or hearing loss sufferers.

• Learn the basics of a range of communication techniques to ensure any communication barriers are eliminated.

• Create an environment where deaf people and hearing loss sufferers feel safe.

The course is run over either a three-hour, half-day training program, or a more intensive six hours full-day session. A certificate is provided to all course participants.

Brian said: “Our training makes sure that communication can be met across internal workings with people who have a hearing loss or are deaf. Not only is it good business practice to ensure you have the facility to accommodate for people of all abilities but it also helps to improve their confidence in being able to communicate fluently in the workplace.”

* If you and your team need Deaf Awareness Training you can find out about how to apply at www.dsnonline.co.uk.