Information for people with a hearing loss; carers, families and professionals living in Solihull

In this section:

• If you have a hearing loss
• BID - How can the Equipment Service help?
• BID - Care Management/Social Work Service
• BID – Drop – In Duty Service
• BID - Interpreting Service
• BID - Communicate 24/7
• BID - Volunteer Services
• BID - Deafcare Support Services
• Macmillan and BID Deaf Cancer Support Group
• BID - Contact Details

If you have a hearing loss

BID Services is a UK registered charity working with deaf, deafened, hard of hearing as well as physically and sensory disabled children and adults. BID Services can provide support, information advice and guidance to all residents of Solihull Borough. 

How can the Equipment Service Help?

At BID Services our staff understand that it can be extremely hard to cope with hearing loss and our main aim is to make sure individuals are treated with respect and dignity in a friendly and comfortable environment, we offer assessments that identity the specific needs you may have. 

Assessments

These can be arranged by appointment at Chelmsley Wood Library, West Mall, Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, B37 5TN. 

BID Services are based at the library on the last Friday of every month from 9.30am – 12.30pm. Contact Emma Snape at BID Services (See contact details below) to arrange an appointment.

Home visits can be arranged for people who require an equipment assessment and have mobility issues. Assessments can also be arranged at BID Services, Deaf Cultural Centre, Ladywood Road, Birmingham, B16 8SZ.

Criteria

BID Services Equipment Department offers assessments for hard of hearing, deaf, or deafened people. Following the assessment, equipment can be loaned. There is no minimum/maximum age. The person receiving the assessment must be issued their council tax by Solihull Borough Council.

Equipment

Examples of the type of equipment we can loan are as follows:

• Flashing Doorbells  
• Loud chime doorbells  
• Flashing light/loud ring attachments for telephones  
• Loop systems (wireless and room loop)  
• Minicoms  
• Pager systems  
• Fax machines   
• Vibrating pillow pad for baby monitors

If your hearing has deteriorated and you have not consulted your doctor you should do so. They will refer you to a specialist if necessary. 

Care Management/Social Work Service

BID Services Care Management Team’s focus is to enable and empower the individuals we work with across Solihull. We provide support, information, advice and guidance to Profoundly Deaf individuals regardless of their age from birth / early diagnosis to their senior years as well as their carers, families and professionals. We will complete comprehensive needs assessments where evidence based information is gathered from a variety of sources to determine the individual needs. These needs are subsequently addressed by signposting accordingly to appropriate outside agencies and services. Workers continue to manage cases by implementing monitoring and reviewing processes while maintaining a multi-disciplinary approach. Although we do not hold statutory responsibility we work closely in a co-working capacity within Adult and Children Safeguarding cases.  

The team consists of 3 Senior Social workers, 1 Social Worker, 1 Care Manager, Duty officer and Equipment officer. 2 members of staff are Profoundly Deaf with all of the team having the experience and skills to meet Deaf individual’s communication needs including British Sign Language. Hands-on Signing and Deafblind Manual

Drop-In Duty Service

A drop-in service is held at DIAL, 67 The Parade, Kingshurst, Solihull B37 6BB on the first Friday of every month from 10.30am – 1pm.

The service is available for any adult or child living in Solihull who is suffering with a hearing loss; their carers, families and professionals. Claire Holder (Duty Officer) is able to provide information, guidance and advice in regards to a range of issues including benefits, health and education. No appointment is necessary but can be made upon request.

Contact Claire Holder at BID Services or at DIAL on 0121 733 0777.

Interpreting Service

Deaf people living in the hearing world experience some form of communication barrier every day. Using a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter allows for ease and fluency of communication between Deaf and hearing people.

BID Services prides itself on the quality of services provided through highly trained Language Service Professionals. In addition to BSL the interpreting service portfolio consists of:     

• Sign Supported English
• Deafblind  
• Lipspeaking  
• Note Taking   
• Speech to text.

Bid Services offer BSL interpreting and other communication services which can be booked when communication with a Deaf person is required. For example:     

• Community events
• Religious services
• Training courses
• Job interviews
• Health appointments
• Conferences
• Education
• Legal work

Communicate 24/7

BID Services gives you access to qualified British Sign Language interpreters during emergency situations.

If you urgently require an interpreter; then call or text 07920 044 777 5pm – 8am Monday – Thursday and 5.30pm Friday until Monday 8am. 

Volunteer Services

This service aims to encourage an independent life for service users whether deaf or hard of hearing by providing support for a variety of normal everyday activities that many of us take for granted. This includes things like going shopping, going for a walk, social outings, attending Deaf Clubs, hospital visits or just having a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

BID Domiciliary Care Services

BID Domiciliary Care was established in 1993 as a pioneering domiciliary service to provide appropriate home care, meeting the assessed needs of Deaf or Deafblind service users living in the West Midlands.

Aims of the Service

To provide a high quality domiciliary support service with deaf people, primarily by Deaf staff together with hearing workers who use sign language, to empower deaf service users.

Macmillan and BID Deaf Cancer Support Group

BID Services have embarked upon a joint venture with Macmillan to provide a service for individual’s with a hearing loss who have a cancer diagnosis.
Our Co-ordinator Sarah Treadwell – Baker can provide support, advice and guidance to individuals and their families through what can be a very sensitive and traumatic time.

BID Contact Details

BID Services,
Deaf Cultural Centre
Ladywood Road,
Ladywood,
Birmingham B16 8SZ

Voice: 0121 246 6100
Fax: 0121 246 6125
Minicom: 0121 246 6100
http://www.bid.org.uk/