The new project starts in April 2012 after recruiting a project worker and will receive funding for 3 years, and will ensure that six selected Deaf clubs in Wales are supported by training to become robust and self supported by way of generating it’s own income by way of providing services for it’s local community.
Deaf Clubs have been in decline due to the changing make up of the Deaf community, and external influences like technology. As a result local Deaf communities are at risk of fragmentation which amongst other things results in reduced access to information (especially in sign language) and community engagement, where Deaf people have the chance to take a lead.
The Chair of DAC, Dafydd Eveleigh stated, "DAC is grateful to the Big Lottery for substantial award. It will enable DAC to provide support to the Deaf community in a new innovative way. By empowering local communities to support themselves, this represents a departure from the traditional model of a large organisation supporting each individual in isolation. Isolation is the biggest threat to Deaf and hard of hearing people with approximately 45% of the community suffering long term mental health. By creating a network of communities we can reduce the isolation and improve the services that Deaf and hard of hearing people need to achieve an independent life. The project represents putting ability in the hands of the many rather than just the few."
Richard Jones, Development Officer said, “Now the hard works begins, there is much to do which starts with the recruitment of a project worker and setting up of steering group to oversee the project. I would like to thank Council of Voluntary Services of Blaenau Gwent, Gwent, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Wrexham for showing their support towards the challenging project. They will be involved in the project working with these Deaf clubs to enable them to support themselves.
Welsh/Cymraeg
Did ddiwedd fy ardal y maent wedi cau yn barod! (Diolch i DAC am y wybodaeth). Mynediad Byddar Cymru wedi derbyn £ 158,870 dros dair blynedd oddi wrth y Loteri Fawr, i gefnogi datblygiad y Clybiau Byddar yng Nghymru.
Mae'r prosiect newydd yn dechrau ym mis Ebrill 2012 ar ôl recriwtio gweithiwr prosiect a fydd yn derbyn cyllid am 3 blynedd, a bydd yn sicrhau bod chwe chlwb Fyddar a ddewiswyd yng Nghymru yn cael eu cefnogi gan hyfforddiant i fod yn gadarn ac yn hunan-gefnogi gan ffordd o gynhyrchu ei hincwm eu hunain trwy gyfrwng darparu gwasanaethau ar gyfer ei gymuned leol.
Clybiau Byddar wedi bod yn dirywio oherwydd y newid cyfansoddiad y gymuned Fyddar, a dylanwadau allanol fel technoleg. O ganlyniad i gymunedau lleol Byddar mewn perygl o ddarnio sy'n arwain ymhlith pethau eraill yn llai o fynediad at wybodaeth (yn enwedig mewn iaith arwyddion) a ymgysylltu â'r gymuned, lle mae pobl fyddar yn cael y cyfle i gymryd yr awenau.
Mae Cadeirydd y DAC, dywedodd Dafydd Eveleigh, "DAC yn ddiolchgar i'r Loteri Fawr ar gyfer gwobr sylweddol. Bydd yn galluogi DAC i roi cymorth i'r gymuned Fyddar mewn ffordd arloesol newydd. Drwy roi grym i gymunedau lleol i gefnogi eu hunain, mae hyn yn cynrychioli gwyro oddi wrth fodel traddodiadol o sefydliad mawr cefnogi pob unigolyn ei phen ei hun. Ynysu yw'r bygythiad mwyaf i Byddar a thrwm eu clyw gyda thua 45% o'r gymuned yn dioddef iechyd meddwl tymor hir. Trwy greu rhwydwaith o gymunedau gallwn leihau unigedd a gwella'r gwasanaethau y mae pobl yn clywed Byddar a thrwm eu hangen arnynt i gyflawni bywyd annibynnol. Mae'r prosiect yn rhoi gallu yn nwylo y mae llawer yn hytrach na dim ond yr ychydig. "
Richard Jones, Swyddog Datblygu dywedodd, "Yn awr y gwaith caled yn dechrau, mae llawer i'w wneud, sy'n dechrau gyda recriwtio gweithiwr prosiect a sefydlu grŵp llywio i oruchwylio'r prosiect. Hoffwn ddiolch i Gyngor Gwasanaethau Gwirfoddol Blaenau Gwent, Gwent, Penybont ar Ogwr, Castell-nedd Port Talbot, Sir Gaerfyrddin a Wrecsam i ddangos eu cefnogaeth tuag at y prosiect heriol. Byddant yn cymryd rhan yn y prosiect weithio gyda'r clybiau hyn Byddar er mwyn eu galluogi i gynnal eu hunain.