High praise for Ian's work with deaf people

The founder of Lanarkshire Deaf Club is in line to have his services to the community marked with a lifetime achievement award.
Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, with Ian Galloway and Helen Sneddon of Lanarkshire Deaf Club. Councillor Kelly described their work as truly inspirational and pledged continuing council support.Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, with Ian Galloway and Helen Sneddon of Lanarkshire Deaf Club. Councillor Kelly described their work as truly inspirational and pledged continuing council support.
Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, with Ian Galloway and Helen Sneddon of Lanarkshire Deaf Club. Councillor Kelly described their work as truly inspirational and pledged continuing council support.

The organisation, based in Motherell’s Civic Square, was set up in 2003 and became a full-time operation in May this year thanks to Big Lottery funding.

Founder and project manager Ian Galloway said: “We’ve come a long way, but there is still so much I hope to achieve. There are still too many deaf people who are left feeling isolated and don’t know how to access the support available to them locally.”

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The club provides support and advice for deaf people of all ages as well as British Sign Language training for individuals,

On Fridays (10am-1pm) there are family group sessions in Dalziel St Andrew’s Church, teaching baby sign language to children. On Saturdays (7pm -11pm) there is a social club, with the emphasis again on families, at Daisy Park Community Centre in Motherwell.

Ian, who is also planning a job club to help deaf people with applications, is set to be honoured at the Scottish Council of Deafness Star Awards in Glasgow this month.

He added: “It can be hard for deaf people to complete job application forms as often English is their second language, with BSL being their first. In the longer term I’d like to create a centre for the deaf which would also provide employment opportunities.”

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