Please note there may be some changes to future dates due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
The Ear Foundation celebrated its 30th birthday in 2019, providing a wonderful opportunity to reflect on this fantastic organisation and all that it has achieved since 1989. During this time the opportunities for people with hearing loss have been transformed by technology, research, family-centred care and education; The Ear Foundation is proud to have been a driving force in many of these changes.
However, rising costs and overheads, increased competition for charitable grants and cuts to training budgets in health and education have had a substantial impact on their charity finances. Staff and trustees have worked hard to address these issues, making changes to staffing, services, increasing grant applications and selling the residential building, Marjorie Sherman House. Unfortunately, this has not resolved their financial challenges and they have had to take the difficult decision to sell the remaining Ear Foundation property and cease trading in a positive, solvent and ethical manner, enabling the charity to leave a financial legacy.
They are therefore very sad to tell you that The Ear Foundation closed on 6th March 2020. They understand that this will come as a shock to many people and particularly those who have worked so hard and contributed to its success.
Much has changed since The Ear Foundation opened its doors. Yet even with the latest technology and all that it offers to children and adults with hearing loss, there continues to be a need for person-centred, family-friendly and practical support and training. It is for this reason that a number of current staff are setting up a new charity to provide services which will continue to make a difference to the everyday lives of deaf children, adults and their families. They are hopeful that the new charity (Hear Together) will be set up by May and they are hoping to set the hearing aid clinics back up as of 1st May. Please email info@heartogether.org.uk for more information.
Additionally, if you are a local business who may be willing to sponsor a clinic or a funding organisation who could support them please email the team.