A CHARITY that has been helping deaf people for 125 years is "facing crisis", the Gazette has been told.

Trevor and Janet Hughes, whose daughter Jennifer is profoundly deaf, said they have "growing concerns" about the impact of cutbacks on Cumbria Deaf Association, a cause close to their hearts.

Jennifer, 38, is a housekeeper at Bendrigg Lodge, Old Hutton, and her deafness was caused by rubella.

The Hughes family, of Kendal, have helped to raise thousands of pounds for Cumbria Deaf Association over the years, while accessing its services, which include expert advice, care support, specialist equipment, social clubs and sign language lessons.

The charity has three centres, at Kendal's Castle Street; Barrow and Carlisle.

"It's vital for the deaf community; it's a lifeline," said Mr Hughes. "It's gradually getting whittled away. How long it will survive in this situation, I don't honestly don't know. It's desperate."

Charity chief executive John Brennan told the Gazette it supported more than 1,000 adults and children.

Cumbria County Council is the main source of funds, but Mr Brennan said the past ten years had seen that funding cut by around 70 per cent. Key concerns include:

- a lack of social workers trained in British Sign Language since the charity's social work service was taken in house by CCC

- a lack of short respite breaks for deaf children

- and the fact the charity no longer runs the specialist equipment service, after it went out to tender; Mr Brennan said deaf people had often found out about help available and social activities such as coffee mornings when they came in to collect kit such as vibrating alarm clocks and flashing doorbells.

Mr Brennan said the charity hoped to develop "a more strategic partnership with the council to maintain and improve services for deaf people".

A CCC spokesman said the council had had to save £249 million since 2011/12 and needed to find another £49m by 2020/21.

"In order to meet the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens, the council contracts services from a range of providers, including a specialist equipment support service, an interpreter support service for those who need access to social care services, an information and advice service and a number of support at home packages.

“Recently the council has reconfigured and retendered the delivery of some of these services which has meant changes in levels of funding for some organisations. This is has been done to ensure best outcomes continue to be achieved for people in line with our statutory responsibilities and within the legal and financial requirements for local authorities.”