A GROUP giving deaf and hard of hearing Hartford residents the confidence to face social interaction has received a funding boost.

Housebuilder Redrow has donated £1,000 from its Hartford Community Fund to help the Hartford Lipreading Group provide a lifeline for members who are hard of hearing despite the assistance of aids of cochlear implants.

The not-for-profit group, with 17 active members, says its activities help combat loneliness and give participants ‘confidence in social situations’.

Christine Stalker, group secretary, said: “Our classes benefit the community by providing a lifeline to communication to any adult who has a hearing loss.

“The skills we learn enable us to feel part of the community, to form friendships and avoid feelings of social isolation. Members currently include hearing spouses who want to support their families and friends.

“The grant of £1,000 from Redrow will helps us meet the shortfall between our income and expenditure and ensure the continuation of our classes until we gain more members.”

Since 2016 Redrow has directly invested more than £20,000 in the Hartford community via voluntary funds to support local projects

This is the second time the Lipreading Group has received funding from the homebuilder.

Caroline Thompson-Jones, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (NW), said: “The Lipreading Group is one of a number of projects in Hartford we have invested in to boost the local community.

“We were impressed with the social bonding members can enjoy and the hard work of the group who provide such a valuable service for those who suffer with hearing loss.

“We were pleased to be able to play our part in helping fund the group to ensure it continues to go from strength to strength.”