Mansfield and North Notts Society for Deaf People is celebrating after securing a grant of £10,000 thanks to the Coalfields Community Grant programme delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

It will use the money to pay for a part-time centre manager to extend its services to the local deaf community, providing a full range of activities and campaigns to support those with hearing loss or impairment.

John Smith, chairman of the society, said: “We have a supportive group of people who attend the centre on a regular basis and this money will allow us to further reach out to others who may want to join.

“We campaign on behalf of the deaf community to ensure that all necessary resources and opportunities are made available to our service users.

“We thank the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for making this possible.”

Head of Operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andy Lock said: “We are really pleased that we have been able to show our support for Mansfield and North Notts Society for Deaf People through the Coalfields Community Grant programme. It is essential that we continue to endorse organisations like this, who have a real and lasting impact on the local community. Many people consider these groups as a lifeline and that is why we need to nurture the work that they do.”

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is the only organisation dedicated to supporting the coalfield communities to help themselves. With specific measures in place the organisation works towards improving the health and wellbeing, skills, enterprise, community and jobs that are available to those living within former mining towns and villages throughout the country.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust will be launching its new funding programme in 2016, details of which will be found on their website in the New Year.