Venue is in the loop to help hard of hearing
ACOMMUNITY hub in Rochdale has now become more accessible to people who are deaf and hard of hearing thanks to the installation of a hearing loop.
Littleborough Coach House, on Lodge Street, has a range of facilities that are well-used by the community, including a function room, known as the Harvey Room, licensed bar, a gift shop, and the popular Cherry Tree cafe.
Due to some societies such as the University of the Third Age (U3A) and the Littleborough Townswomen’s Guild having members who are often over 60, the function room has now had a hearing loop fitted.
The cash was raised thanks to generous donations from the Littleborough Protection Society and the Rochdale Deaf Society.
It is hoped the venue will reopen in 2021.
John Parker, Chairman of Directors of Littleborough Coach House Trust, who has been involved with the house since 2002, has welcomed the new hearing loop.
He said: “We’re very grateful for the donations because our money has dried up - the only money is the lease on the cafe.
“Not being able to open has been a problem.
“We are charitable organisation run purely by volunteers.
“We have about 12 directors and we often hold art exhibitions, craft markets which are wellattended, and rooms used and hired by Rochdale Model Railway Society, and the Horticultural Society.
“Anybody who uses the function room will be able to use the hearing loop.
“We try to serve the local community - a lot of people who use the function room are in their 60s, up to their 70s and 80s.
“The Women’s Guild are all 70 plus.
“The idea for the hearing loop came from a director who said it would be a good idea as he knew a number of people who found it difficult to hear what was being said.”