SWEDES (South West Enabling Deaf Encouraging Sign)

Public benefits

BENEFIT ELEMENT Purpose 1: Alleviating social and rural isolation through the provision of educational, recreational and leisure time activities. What benefit flows from this purpose? The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include access to specialist education that will enable members to become more active citizens through increased

skills and confidence to participate in society. Provision of information relating to support services available will inform members of opportunities and how to access such services. Provision of recreational and leisure time activities aimed at those who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing and signing allows for members of all ages and ability to participate on an equitable basis. Can you demonstrate this? These benefits are demonstrated through: Feedback from members relating to activities provided – evaluation. Number of people participating in courses/activities. Number of courses/activities held. Number of people accessing support services. Is any harm or possibility of harm outweighed by the benefit? There is no harm or possibility of harm associated with this benefit. Purpose 2: Raising awareness among the public of issues affecting people who are deaf both generally and in relation to their equality and issues of social exclusion. What benefit flows from this purpose? The direct benefit that flows from this purpose increased awareness amongst the general public relating to the issues facing people who are deaf. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, signing and hearing have equal access to every aspect of public life. Can you demonstrate this? These benefits are demonstrated through: Sample survey with general public Number of deaf awareness sessions held Number of people attending deaf awareness sessions Number of organisations attending deaf awareness sessions. Feedback from members. Is any harm or possibility of harm outweighed by the benefit? There is no harm or possibility of harm associated with this benefit. PUBLIC ELEMENT The charity’s beneficiaries are people who are deaf, hard of hearing, signing and hearing living in County Fermanagh, County Tyrone and surrounding environment throughout Northern Ireland and beyond. The charity’s beneficiaries also include the general public accessing information through our activities. Is there any private benefit? Is it incidental or necessary? A private benefit to trustees may arise from our activities of ongoing training in areas such as disability awareness, good governance, finance etc. Through this training trustees gain skills, awareness and knowledge which are transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to beneficiaries.

What your organisation does

Provide opportunities for people who have an interest in hearing issues to come together in safety to experience social encounters, learn about relevant services and acquire local information.