A GOVERNMENT minister visited a charity which helps deaf and hard of hearing people.

Civil society minister Robert Wilson visited Deaf Direct in Lowesmoor, Worcester, after it received more than £70,000 funding from the Local Sustainability Fund.

The money will help shape future services by making the charity a domiciliary care provider, as well as hiring a specialist manager and a marketing officer.

Deaf Direct provides deaf awareness training to organisations to help improve access for people with hearing impairments.

Mr Wilson said: “Deaf Direct’s commitment to people with hearing loss in Worcester was inspiring to see.

“I was delighted to meet the team and was thrilled to see how they are reaching out to new markets and building a platform for the future with a Social Impact Bond.”

The minister was joined by Worcester MP Robin Walker as well as Mark McGann, deputy director, Knowledge Sharing and Policy (BIG Lottery Fund) and Helga Edstrom, Office for Civil Society and Innovation Local.

The Local Sustainability Fund has awarded funds from small to medium-sized high-impact voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

It is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund and paid for by the Cabinet Office.

According to Deaf Direct, 64,000 people in Worcestershire aged 18 and over suffer with hearing loss.

Deaf Direct chief executive Philip Gerrard said ‘We much appreciate that Rob Wilson has taken time to visit us.

“The investment from the Local Sustainability Fund will help shape the future of our services and help build a platform for longer term development.

“The grant will also give access to a wider range of skills and support, including the opportunity to establish strong volunteering relationships with local businesses.

“These cross-sector relationships will help strengthen resilience and promote long term sustainability”