LIPSINC - HOW IT ALL STARTED

It all started with Jacqui Press. Jacqui joined the JDA in 2002. Her assignment was to search the Jewish community and track down people like herself - Jewish young adults with a hearing loss, who mainly communicate using speech, have hearing families and have lived their lives "in the hearing world".

Jacqui searched long and hard and was delighted to discover so many interesting men and women, in their 20's and 30's, with varying hearing losses, all expressing a desire to meet each other. They thought it was a great idea to get together with other like-minded young people with whom they could swap stories and share information, experiences and ideas.

Many of the people had had little or no contact with the stigmatised "deaf world". Thus, it made sense that many of them could also gain information about technology, equipment and services available for people with all levels of hearing loss.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

The first group gatherings showed that there was a strong connection between everyone.
To show what we mean by this, here is a quote following the first meeting of the women's group:

"Somehow, there was no need for icebreaking games. As soon as each woman walked into the room, there was an unspoken understanding between us, an instant friendship that seemed to come from our mutual experiences of being young, Jewish, deaf and hard of hearing women who don't use sign language. We had so much to say to each other … the meeting overran by FOUR hours! It's no wonder we decided to call our group Chatterboxes."

The men were equally happy to meet each other … but, being men, they talked a little less!!

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

The groups met regularly, and went out together - including trips to the theatre to see a StageText captioned performance - which was a first experience for many. There was a visit to Salisbury Theatre to see a LIPSINC member perform a leading role in the play Children of A Lesser God. There were guest speakers including an audiologist and a hearing specialist, discussion groups, coffee evenings and fun at the bowling alley.

WHAT ELSE WOULD BE USEFUL?

Feedback was crystal clear - everyone welcomed with open arms an opportunity to:

i) Meet others with similar life experiences and become part of a new social scene

ii) Create a unique forum for discussing and exchanging information and ideas on a whole range of topics to which they would otherwise not have access

iii) Benefit from the JDA's one-to-one service for individuals, providing practical advice and information on matters such as:

• Specialised up-to-date technology and equipment to use at home or at work
• Hearing aid specialists/audiologists/tinnitus
• Social and cultural activities catering specifically for people with a hearing loss (eg theatre performances with StageText facilities)
• Careers advice, job applications and preparation for interviews
• Benefits and entitlements
• Practical support available in the workplace.
  

So LIPSINC was born!

LIPSINC WORKS!

The pilot groups were an enormous success. People reported that the support they got from each other, alongside the JDA's one-to-one services, made a real impact on their lives, including:

• Developing confidence and assertiveness
• Enabling some people to accept and declare their hearing loss without embarrassment or upset
• Creating new and unique friendships and social opportunities
• Increasing independence and quality of life through the awareness and use of specialised equipment and services for people with a hearing loss
• Building networking opportunities that have led to employment.

LIPSINC LAUNCH PARTY - 2004

Click here for more information on the Launch Party!

Once everybody knew a few people in their own small groups, it was time to get all the groups together and broaden the scope of LIPSINC. In Summer 2004, a LIPSINC Launch Party was held at the swanky Park Lane Hotel in Piccadilly and brought together more than 40 young people. This was the turning point.

Click here to find out what's happening in LIPSINC now!