DEAF adults and young people in Malvern are being given the chance to take part in some sporting activities thanks to a funding boost from the Worcestershire Partnership.

Deaf Direct has been awarded £30,000 from the Partnership’s health improvement fund to run a pilot healthy lifestyle programme tailored towards the needs of deaf adults in areas of Malvern and Worcester.

Activities will include keep fit and sports sessions at local leisure and sports centres and a healthy living course covering topics on nutrition, alcohol awareness and quitting smoking.

The funding is paying for a project worker/mentor and a deaf health and well being mentor to facilitate the programme, venue hire, leisure centre fees, promotion, training, transport costs and sessional staff.

Sessions in Malvern take place at The Splash, in Priory Road, from 6-8pm on Thursdays, March 4, 11 and 18.

Project worker Gemma McEvoy: “It's great to be able to bring the barriers down to enable people who might otherwise feel excluded because of their hearing difficulties to take part.

“This funding has been so important for them, not just in providing healthy activities but also in helping them to socialise and make new friends.”

For more information about the project contact Gemma on textphone 01905 746300, or email gemmam@deafdirect.org.uk