Halton Housing Trust is improving its service to deaf customers in the borough.

Staff at the Trust have been learning sign language as part of a training course to help them better understand the needs of deaf people living in the area.

"The day after I received my training I went to interview a family applying for a property with the Trust with a profoundly deaf son and a partially deaf father," said Sue Walkey, Customer Services Officer for Halton Housing Trust.

"The training meant I felt completely comfortable interviewing them. I adjusted my speech to make sure it was clear and made sure I was involving the son as well."

The Trust appointed Kate Boddy, from the Deafness Resources Centre, in St Helens, to provide a day-long workshop and give advice on how to support deaf customers.

Sue added: "At the end of the interview I explained that I had just been on a deaf awareness course and asked how I could make the interview easier for them. The father said that it was perfect he understood me and thanked me for making it stress free for them."

Mike Adamson, Executive Director of Individual Services at charity, RNID, who promote and provide deaf awareness training for employers, said: "It’s vital that housing associations become deaf aware to help people with hearing loss – whether tenants, customers or employees – to access information and advice.

“Hearing loss affects 55 per cent of people over 60 and, with the ageing population, it’s particularly important that organisations serving older people know how to communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing."

Staff at the Trust are now been given to follow up on their new skills by studying for a British Sign Language qualification.

For information about RNID’s deaf awareness training, contact telephone: 0161 276 2312 or email: training.services@rnid.org.uk