Loss of hearing support group thanks community lottery for support
Published: 28 February 2024
People in Exeter who are coming to terms with the loss of hearing have every reason to thank a community lottery scheme.
Exeter Lipreaders – a group that run sessions for those dealing with hearing loss – is just one of around 100 good causes across the city that are currently benefiting from ticket sales from the Exeter Community Lottery.
The group has been registered to the Lottery since the first numbers were drawn in June 2023.
When people play the weekly Lottery they have a chance to choose which good cause to support. Fifty pence in every pound then goes to that cause, with 10p going towards the Exeter Central Fund. The rest of the money pays for prizes and the administration of the lottery. At the moment good causes are set to benefit from around £52,000 in total over the first 12 months.
Players of the lottery can also choose to nominate the money to a central fund which then gets distributed among good causes that are signed up.
Ruth Bizley, of Exeter Lipreaders, said: “I think Exeter Community Lottery is a great idea. It’s giving us some very welcome extra income which helps cover our costs and our room hire so we’re very grateful for that and hope that the good work will be able to continue.”
Ruth has been running groups in Exeter for around d 12 years. She is a qualified tutor of lipreading to adults and runs weekly classes in lipreading and managing hearing loss.
Sessions involve lipreading theory and practice, coping strategies, information on equipment and support services, and anything else to do with hearing loss.
The group meet at the Mint in Fore Street on Thursday mornings and afternoons.
“Group members value the help and support on offer, especially as hearing loss can be extremely isolating. The classes help build confidence so that they are more easily able to cope in a hearing world.
“Many of the members are losing their hearing as they get older, and lipreading is much more useful to them than learning to sign, which would mean learning a whole new language,” she added.
Cllr Martin Pearce, Lead Councillor with responsibility for Communities, said: “I am continually bowled over by the number groups in Exeter that are doing fantastic things for the community.
“By playing the Exeter Community Lottery, people are choosing to actively support charities and community groups like Exeter Lipreaders and ensure that they are able to continue offering valuable services for people coming to terms with hearing loss.”
It’s not too late for other community groups and good causes to sign up for Exeter Community Lottery and start benefitting from ticket sales.
Players have a one in 50 chance of winning a prize. Draws take place every Saturday with ticket holders in with a chance of scooping the top prize of £25,000.
Tickets cost just £1 (via direct debit or debit card) with the following prizes up for grabs:
- Match six balls and win £25,000
- Match five balls and win £2,000
- Match four balls and win £250
- Match three balls and win £25
- Match two balls and win three tickets
- Draws take place every Saturday at 8pm with winners notified by email. Players can choose which cause to support when playing the Exeter Community Lottery.
To buy tickets for the Exeter Community Lottery or to register a good cause, visit exetercommunitylottery.co.uk