news story

16th November 2006

Campaign Launched to Save Key Worker for Local Deaf People

Dee Willett

A campaign has been launched by Northavon MP Steve Webb and the Yate-based South Gloucestershire Deaf Association to ensure that the work of a vital support worker can continue.

Until this Autumn, Dee Willett worked as outreach officer for the South Glos. Deaf Association (SGDA) providing vital services to deaf and hard-of-hearing people across the area. But now the lottery funding for her post has run out and the Association has been unable to secure the £33,000 per year needed to keep the work going, with the result that Dee has lost her job.

Drop-in services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Thornbury, Downend and Kingswood have already had to be cancelled and local deaf people have lost a powerful advocate. Now Steve Webb MP and the SGDA are going public to see if the money can be found to keep this vital work going.

Steve Webb said:

"I have the highest regard for Dee Willett and the work of the South Glos. Deaf Association. I have heard from many local deaf people who are devastated that funding cannot be found for this vital role.

"Dee regularly used to contact me on behalf of local people and I often took up issues with Government agencies on their behalf that I would simply not have appreciated fully without her campaigning work. I would be very keen to hear from an individual or organisation that can help to keep this vital work going".

A profoundly deaf Yate resident, Christopher Moller said:

"Dee has helped me with many things. She would Interpret letters for me and help me sort out problems which were difficult because of communication problems. Also I know she was important in helping lots of Hard of Hearing people. I know many Deaf people will miss Dee's hard work and friendly personality."