Supporting our colleagues

Alexandria is profoundly deaf in both ears and started with us at Crook Log Leisure Centre as a Swimming Instructor in September 2020. Alexandria had non-water proof hearing aids which restricted her ability to be able to teach children in water, she had to remove them before getting in the water which then meant she had to work EXTRA hard to communicate with her classes!

Impressively, Alexandria was successful in being granted an ‘Access to Work’ funding application and was awarded an incredible £5,932.13. Lex Leisure CIC agreed to add an additional contribution of £2,270.47.

The grant allowed her to purchase new, water proof Hearing Aids as well as a Training Course for Hearing Impairment, Roger Pen and Accessories and SwimPix to assist in her delivery of Swimming Lessons.

Alexandria says:
‘This equipment has helped me to be more independent and hear better in surroundings, such as working in and out of the water within the Swimming Pool without worrying about my ears getting wet or my hair getting wet.
Working without my hearing aids is really challenging and tiring because I am having to lip read or keep looking around in my surroundings. I still lip read and watch my surroundings but not as much with my waterproof
hearing aids, which makes a big difference! It allows me to really focus on delivering a positive Swimming Lesson.

My new waterproof hearing aids have made me feel more confident and comfortable in the water. I no longer need to take them off, which when I didn’t have my waterproof hearing aids it made it really hard for me to hear the children talking.

My hearing is still not 100% but it’s still made a big difference!

Being able to get in the water with my hearing aids for the first time in my life felt very strange! It’s a big change for me.

I am really pleased and happy to say, thank you very much Lex Leisure CIC / Crook Log Leisure Centre for putting in the additional funding and support for the equipment! It’s made a big difference and made me more independent!

It has made me so proud to be deaf and use this equipment it’s made me want to show the equipment off, especially my blue hearing aids!