'We had no choice': Charity supporting deaf people across Northampton since 1874 forced to close down due to money trouble
A charity supporting deaf people in Northampton since 1874 has closed down for good after its financial position left trustees with “no choice”.
Deaf Connect, a specialist charity supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing people across Northamptonshire, was forced to shut its doors for good on Tuesday March 31 after a financial crisis.
The beginning of the end was triggered when a major bid for national funding was turned down earlier this year, leaving Deaf Connect unable to cover its running costs.
Deaf Connect supporters had previously launched an urgent appeal to raise £300,000 in a bid to keep services running, with supporters warning the charity faced closure without immediate funding. The organisation also called on West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) for support, but no financial assistance was secured before the charity was forced to close.
The charity provided a wide range of services, including sign language interpreters, training, advice and social support, making it a key part of sensory impairment services in Northamptonshire.
It has provided services to the deaf community in Northamptonshire for more than 150 years – first established in 1874.
Announcing the closure via a poster on its former premises at Spencer Dallington Community Centre, a spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately, the financial position of the charity has reached a stage where the trustees have no choice, and the charity needs to close sooner than first planned.
“Deaf Connect trustees have talked to North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to explain the difficult financial position the charity is in.
“It has been agreed that Deaf Connect will stop providing deaf community support services from Tuesday, March 31.
“We are also talking to the department at WNC, which owns the Spencer Dallington Community Centre, to work out when Deaf Connect will move out of the building.
“WNC has said they will announce who will take over the centre once they know.
“Deaf Connect staff will be making contact directly with students to provide an update as to the effect of the early closure of the charity.”
A new organisation has recently been appointed to provide support to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community across Northamptonshire.
RJ Community CIC took over the county-wide service from Wednesday April 1.
Reacting, councillor Sally Keeble, leader of the Labour Group on WNC, has called on the council to set out the future of services for the deaf community.
Cllr Sally Keeble, Labour Group Leader, said: “The closure of Deaf Connect brings to a sad end 150 years of service to the deaf community in Northamptonshire. It’s a sad day for everyone – users of the service and the staff who have worked so hard for them.
“The closure of Deaf Connect means the loss of a £230,000 service to deaf people across Northamptonshire. In its place there will be a £22,000 service. This is obviously not enough to provide a service for all the people affected by hearing loss across the county.
“The council is responsible for providing the service to the whole community and also saying what is happening to the future of the community centre.”
Councillor Laura Couse, WNC’s cabinet member for adult care and public health, previously said: “Our priority is to ensure residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing continue to have relevant services that are easily accessible, inclusive, and tailored to support their independence and wellbeing.
“We welcome RJ Community CIC as our new partner and look forward to working together to enhance the support available across West Northamptonshire. This partnership provides an opportunity to strengthen how people access information and advice, and to ensure services are designed in a way that removes barriers and promotes greater inclusion.”
WNC has been contacted for further comment.