ONE organisation that has benefitted from Big Lottery funding was the East Lancashire Deaf Society.

The charity, which represents deaf and hard of hearing people across the region, received almost £450,000, for its Steps Into Employment project, which it used to fund staff salaries, running costs, office equipment and professional fees.

The charity arm is aimed at helping deaf and hard of hearing people back into work.

Among other things, the project runs free shourt courses for deaf people to support and help them get on to the employment ladder. The courses cover everything from CV-writing and job applications to deaf issues in the workplace.

Qaiser Hussain, of Blackburn, has been deaf since birth and completed the course and went into a job.

The 24-year-old said: “I had low confidence, which stemmed from school, and I couldn’t communicate with anyone.

“I was like a rabbit in the headlights when anyone approached me.

“Now, I am so much more confident. I have made friends, built on my skills and even got a job.”

Deaf Society chairman Doug Alker said: “Filling out the application for funding was daunting and the outcomes section can seem a little mind boggling at first.

“However, if you understand why these questions are there and you try to keep it to the point, it becomes easier.”

  • To apply for a grant you will need to be a community group, not for profit group, parish or town council, health body or school. You do not have to be a registered charity to apply.

Groups must have a bank account that requires at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal and you must be in a position to use the grant within one year.

Applications are available from Community Foundation for Lancashire at lancsfoundation.org.uk or call 0151 2322444 to get a paper copy.