Supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Bristol
Living With Hearing Loss: A Warm, Welcoming and Inspiring Community Event
On 2 December, we hosted our Living With Hearing Loss (LWHL) event — an afternoon designed for anyone experiencing hearing loss, whether newly diagnosed, adjusting to changes, or looking for ways to stay connected in daily life. The event also welcomed family members, friends and colleagues wanting to better understand how to communicate and support the people they care about.
Our aim was simple:
‘To bring people together, share practical tools, offer expert advice, and create a supportive space where no one feels alone in their hearing loss journey.’
We were delighted to welcome over 40 people, many of whom had never engaged with CfD before. Reaching so many new people shows just how vital this kind of accessible, community-focused support is.
A Warm, Informative and Inclusive Event
The afternoon included:
- A welcome and introduction
- An engaging Audiology presentation by Simon Collins
- Three interactive workshops: Lipreading, Better Conversations, and BSL Taster Sessions
- A bustling Assistive Technology demonstration space
- Opportunities for 1–1 conversations, peer support and connection
From the start, attendees told us they felt welcomed, included and reassured:
“The event was very friendly and interesting… It was enjoyable meeting so many people with different experiences and outlooks on their deafness or hearing loss.”
Highlights From the Day
Audiology With Simon Collins (Senior Audiologist at UHBW NHS Foundation Trust)
Simon’s session was one of the most appreciated parts of the day, with attendees describing his talk as clear, informative and easy to follow:
“I could hear enough from the excellent loudspeaker.”
A small technical challenge with the loop system was resolved quickly— a great example of accessibility being a shared priority in the room.
Hearing Support with Hattie (HISS) The Hearing Impaired Support Scheme
Hattie’s Hearing Checks and hearing aid servicing offer was the first part of the event to be completely booked out, and she remained busy throughout the afternoon. Attendees valued the chance to receive tailored support about hearing equipment and next steps, and her presence added an important practical dimension to the day, and reflected just how needed this type of accessible support is.
Workshops That Resonate
All three workshops were incredibly well attended. People appreciated the practical tools they could take away immediately — from communication strategies to early lipreading techniques.
“I loved the taster sessions and none of them felt overwhelming.”
One of the most meaningful moments came from CfD’s own Jo and Samuel Jones, mother and son, who shared their lived experience of hearing loss within a family.
Their honest and heartfelt conversation helped people understand the wider emotional and relational impact of hearing loss:
“Jo’s analogy about hearing aids not working like glasses was exactly what I needed.”
The audience valued their openness and the space it created to reflect on their own journeys.
Assistive Technology Hub
Our CfD Tech team — Jason, Mark and Steve — were kept busy throughout the afternoon demonstrating devices, answering questions and helping people better understand what support exists for both Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
One attendee described the experience beautifully:
“As someone who is so new to hearing loss, it restored my hope that I will not be isolated, lonely or depressed.”
❤️ Thank You
There was a genuine buzz throughout the afternoon— a feeling of community, connection and ease that people with hearing loss don’t always experience at public events. Seeing people genuinely enjoy the space together was one of the most powerful successes of the afternoon. Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, volunteered, presented or shared their story.
This was more than a workshop programme — it was a community coming together, learning from one another, and creating space for understanding, empowerment and connection. We’re excited to build on the success of this first Living With Hearing Loss event and look forward to offering more opportunities in 2026.
If you’d like to stay informed about future events, groups and workshops, please get in touch or join our mailing list.
See more information about our upcoming coffee meet-ups for everyone
Learn more about our upcoming coffee meet-up sessions for individuals who are hard of hearing.
