Deaf community's hub building given to new owner
Deaf ConnextionsConcerns about the future of a hub for members of the deaf community have been resolved after the running of its building was taken over by a charity.
West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA), which runs a number of services out of its base on Railway Road, King's Lynn, had put its building up for sale earlier this year due to financial difficulties.
The building has now been gifted to the voluntary organisation, Deaf Connexions (DC), who said it hoped to develop services to meet the needs of the deaf community.
Matthew Talbot, the chief executive of DC, said: "The building has been at the heart of the local deaf community for many years, and we are proud to help secure its future."
The hub will continue to offer advice, activities and community space and WNDA will continue to run its hearing hub services from the site.
WNDA said it had been struggling to meet the ongoing maintenance costs of the building following a drop in community bookings after the Covid pandemic.
Anna Pugh, the manager of WNDA, said in May that selling the site would ensure services including social clubs and audiology care could continue.
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Parts of the building dates back to 1886 and it has six rooms including a large meeting room and play room for children.
In 1997 funds were raised to buy the building by members of the deaf community and other charitable grants.
Deaf ConnexionsTalbot said the acquisition of the building was an "important moment" for deaf people in west Norfolk.
He said: "This building represents decades of deaf history, friendships, British Sign Language and community strength. Protecting that heritage is central to our vision.
"We want this to remain a place where deaf people can meet, access support, share their language and culture, and have a strong voice in their communities."
BELTON DUFFEYDr Philip Koopowitz, the chairman of trustees at WNDA, said the group was looking forward to a positive future.
He said: "The move secures the building for the long term.
"It has been a tough few months for WNDA and we had been looking to sell the building in order to keep the charity going.
"Fortunately, Deaf Connexions has stepped in and offered the best solution to keep the building and provide a similar range of services to those it currently offers in Norwich."
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