In this section

Caritas Care wins the Lottery

24th February 2010

Big Lottery Logo Lrg Pink jpeg

Excellent news! Bridging the Gap has received over £437,000 to provide crucial support for vulnerable older people with hearing loss. The money comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme which aims to help those most in need and build stronger communities.

Bridging the Gap, launched over 11 years ago, will use the funding to expand an outreach drop in clinic and home visiting service for those living in isolated locations throughout North Lancashire and Cumbria. The service will expand its existing services of providing advice, hearing equipment demonstrations, lip reading classes and self help groups to enable older people with acquired hearing loss to improve their communication skills. The service aims to promote increased freedom and choice for isolated people to enjoy more confidence and self esteem to participate in normal everyday activities as part of the community.

Caritas Care is absolutely delighted to have become a Big Lottery Fund Award recipient. One in seven of the UK population - 9.1 million people - suffer some kind of hearing loss. Over 70% of people above the age of 70 have hearing loss varying from mild to profound; six thousand people in north Lancashire and Cumbria will benefit as a result of this excellent news. This valuable work enables people with hearing difficulties to improve their communication skills, thereby building confidence and raising self-esteem. It is a hidden condition leading to people with acquired hearing loss being patronised or ignored.

Helen Bullough, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the North West said: “This project is an excellent example of the many valuable services funded under the Reaching Communities programme. I am delighted that BIG can support such a worthwhile cause and that Reaching Communities funding will continue to support worthy causes across the North West throughout 2010.”

Useful link: