Norfolk Deaf Association Opens New HQ on Thorpe Road Norwich

Norfolk Deaf Association (NDA) has moved to new headquarters at 120 Thorpe Road in Norwich, and marked the opening of the new office with the charity’s Annual Public Meeting on Thursday 19 September.

Pictured left to right are Christopher Doggett Treasurer NDA, Tony Innes, Chairman NDA and David Baguley, Head of Service Audiology / Hearing Implants,  Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who was guest speaker at the Annual Public Meeting

Tony Innes, Chairman NDA Trustees explained: “Our old office at Silver Road had served us well, but had become less suitable for our needs, with difficult first floor access. Our lease was coming to an end, so we decided to look for new premises. The office at 120 Thorpe Road, close to Norwich station and well served by public transport, is just what we need. The premises are on the ground floor, with good wheelchair access, dedicated parking spaces and much better facilities for our clinics, supports groups and volunteer training.”  

Sylvia Rogers from North Walsham, a volunteer with the NDA Hearing Support Service added: “I suffer from hearing loss and know how important it is to have people who can understand your problems, so I trained as a volunteer 18 months ago and work at the Hearing Support Service clinic in our head office. Thorpe Road is much more convenient; we have a better room for the clinic and it is easy to get help and advice from staff who are close by. Being involved with NDA keeps me up to date and makes me realise that I am not alone.”      

Jack Bradstock has been working as a volunteer at the Assisted Listening Devices clinic for a year: “Thorpe Road is very easy to find and more people have been coming to our clinics. The office is on the ground floor, so it is easy for visitors of all abilities to enter the building.”

Norfolk Deaf Association was founded in 1898, originally as a benevolent society. The charity aims to improve the lives of young people and adults with all degrees of hearing loss through information, support, awareness and communication. The key services are Hearing Support Service, Befriending Service, Tinnitus Support Group, Deaf Awareness Training and Hard of Hearing Club.

Hearing Support Service – volunteers help people affected by hearing loss, advising them on the use, cleaning and maintenance of hearing aids. Home visits are offered for those with limited mobility, and there are 50 static clinics and 28 mobile clinics, provided by the Listen Here! Bus, in towns and villages in Norfolk. The mobile clinic also visits 25 sheltered housing complexes. The timetables for both the static and mobile clinics can be downloaded from the website at www.norfolkdeaf.org.uk, or tel. 01603 404440 (voice/minicom).

Static Clinics include Blakeney, Coltishall, Fakenham, Gorleston, Holt, Ludham, Sheringham and Wells-next-the-Sea. Mobile Clinics include Acle, Aylsham, Bunwell, Dereham, Diss, Harleston, Hingham, Hoveton, North Walsham, Reepham, Stalham, Swaffham, Taverham, Thetford, Watton and Wymondham.

In addition NDA runs an Assistive Listening Devices advice and support clinic on Thursday mornings between 10am and 1pm at the Thorpe Road headquarters.  This is ideal for anyone thinking of buying equipment to enhance hearing. A wide variety of equipment is on display including induction loops, wireless listeners, flashing and vibrating doorbells, vibrating alarm clocks, smoke alarms, telephone amplifiers and mobile phones.

Norfolk Deaf Association is at 120 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RT, t. 01603 404440
(voice/minicom).