Bridging the Gap
The Bridging the Gap project, funded by the Big Lottery, promotes the social wellbeing of older people who have some loss of hearing.
Caritas Care wanted to embark upon this work because we became aware in the mid 1990s of the struggle many elderly people were experiencing.
People living with a hearing loss in the community are often ‘invisible’, unable to get out into the community easily. Their needs can be easily ignored or forgotten. These comments came from some who have used our service:
"I’d like to get out more and have somebody for company, it’s a long day when you don’t see people a lot" (82 year old)
“It’s very isolating. People can talk to dad like a child, there needs to be better understanding and more social activities geared to people with dual sensory loss” (Carer)
“I don’t really have a social life and I’ve got used to that now – I can’t hear very far and in a busy place I can get very confused. Heavy traffic and big heavy lorries…people don’t realise” (80 year old)
So Bridging the Gap responds by:
- Assisting people with hearing difficulties to reduce their isolation by improving their communication skills, thereby enhancing confidence, raising self-esteem and enabling them to be more active
- Contributing to the safety and monitoring of some of the most vulnerable people in society
- Reducing dependency on statutory services or instituionalised care.
Advice, demonstration of equipment, lip reading, self-help groups, and regular clinics are all provided.
Full details of our drop in clinics can be downloaded here.
Full details of lip reading classes can be downloaded here.
The project offers a unique and flexible approach to work with vulnerable people and carers and is often an effective conduit between the elderly person and statutory and voluntary providers.
The Bridging the Gap project workers, supported by volunteers, are based in Carlisle, Warwick on Eden, Barrow-in-Furness, and Preston. The project facilitates a home visiting service which offers information support and assistance in the use and maintenance of hearing aids and other equipment. But to enhance access to this service we now run monthly out-reach clinics - twenty one in the more remote parts of Cumbria.
For more information, please contact our Bridging the Gap Team Leader:
Hugh Stirling
Email: hughstirling@caritascare.org.uk
Tel: 01228 562691
Unit E
Moorhouse Courtyard
Warwick on Eden
Carlisle
CA4 8PA
We have Project Workers based in Barrow, Carlisle and Preston:
Elaine Oxley
Email: elaineoxley@caritascare.org.uk
Tel: 01229 870349
2 Rodney Street
Barrow
LA14 1ND
Hazel Graham
Email: hazelgraham@caritascare.org.uk
Tel: 01228 562691
Unit E
Moorhouse Courtyard
Warwick on Eden
Carlisle
CA4 8PA
Vincent Borg
Email: vincentborg@caritascare.org.uk
Tel: 01772 561323
Bannister House
25 Sedgwick Street
Preston
PR1 1TP