Wednesday 21st September 2011 - Published by Robert Trigg - Communications Executive
Remarkable Scheme Signals New Assistance for the Deaf
A counselling and psychotherapy provider is launching a groundbreaking scheme to help Deaf and hard-of-hearing people access psychiatric counselling through sign language.
Rivers Assist, based in Birmingham, has teamed up with the UK's biggest Deaf organisation, Remark! to offer counselling and psychotherapy services to the Deaf community across the country.
The move comes in response to a high percentage of Deaf people being admitted into psychiatric care before being able to access softer services like counselling and psychotherapy.
Patricia Williams, Managing Director of Rivers Assist, said: “We believe that counselling and psychotherapy services should be accessible to all, and we are committed to working with organisations like Remark! to achieve this.”
Launched in advance of Deaf Awareness Week (October 3 to October 7), the specialist service will be available through Rivers Assist's network of counsellors across the UK.
All of the counsellors working with Deaf clients will have basic sign language skills, with the majority being fully British Sign Language (BSL) trained. Where this is not possible, interpreters will be made available.
The concept for the new service arose when Carloyn Nabarro, the regional co-ordinator for Remark! in Birmingham, met with Patricia Williams, Managing Director of Rivers Assist, to discuss the difficulties the Deaf community faces in accessing the services.
The lack of funding for interpreters and low number of counsellors and psychotherapists who are trained in BSL, are just two examples of the many hurdles facing those with hearing impediments, who are in need of counselling.
Rivers Assist
