21 August 2023 Category:

CEO Chat #30

CEO Chat

Last week we celebrated the launch of the Carlisle Hub in the Vineyard Hub on Lorne Street in Denton Holme (old Mitchell Dryers building). Kelly and Lucy worked wonderfully to promote and enthuse the community about the re-opening of a space in Carlisle.  The opening afternoon saw a room full of people of all ages, some who are known to CDA, others are new to us.  It was a delight to welcome two representatives from Hearing Dogs for the Deaf with their exceptionally good dogs, no doubt we will see them on a regular basis.  Kelly asked everyone what people would like to see happen with the group and when to have the meetings – it’s a long list but everything will happen. The first regular meeting is on Monday 4th September, 11am – 1pm, for more information take a look at the events page on our website of Facebook.

Since the closure of the portacabin in Harraby in 2020 there has been no permanent presence of CDA in Carlisle. Earlier this year we were able to take on a small office in the Vineyard Hub for our Carlisle based staff, so they had somewhere to drop in, collect papers from etc. 

Lucy and Kelly from Carlisle Hub

In September we will see a further expansion of the team.  Thankfully, we have been able to move into a larger office within the Vineyard Hub. Over the next few weeks, we will welcome the following people to our team;

  1. Lucy Belton – PA to Kelly
  2. Kelly Francis – Training Assistant
  3. Shelley Harrison – Support Work Team Supervisor
  4. Debbie Harrison – Support Work Bank Staff Carlisle Area
  5. Rebecca Kiggins – Community Engagement Coordinator
  6. Debbie Wilkinson – Community Engagement Coordinator

This expanded team will concentrate on activities out in the community and engaging with other groups to ensure that CDA has representation across many sectors. Also, Shelley as Support Work Team Supervisor, will be working with the existing Support Work Team along with recruiting new staff to deliver more support hours across Cumbria for people who use BSL and want some assistance to remain independent in their day to day lives.  

As well as visiting Carlisle I was able to spend time at our Barrow Deaf Centre where I was appointed Trainee Jigsaw Puzzle Piece Finder – a very difficult job on a 1000-piece puzzle.  I also had a lovely chat with a lady who has some ideas about deaf-friendly fitness programs. 

My job is fabulous!  Even on heavy paperwork days, the enthusiasm of the whole team and deaf community carries me forward to find ways to deliver and fund the next project.