Working together to make hearing loss better understood

At Open Ears, we believe that everyone affected by hearing loss should have the opportunity to feel heard, understood, included and valued.

Our vision is to see a world where people affected by hearing loss are not isolated or excluded, but are able to fulfil their potential, find purpose and belonging, participate fully in their churches and communities, and grow in their Christian faith and fellowship with others.

We know that we cannot achieve this alone. Partnership is an important part of making our vision a reality.

By working alongside churches, charities, organisations, businesses and individuals who share our commitment to inclusion and accessibility, we can learn from one another, share expertise and resources, raise awareness and reach more people who may benefit from support.

Why we partner

Hearing loss affects people in many different ways. For some, it can lead to isolation, frustration or a loss of confidence. It can also create barriers to participating in church, community life, social activities and everyday conversations.

Open Ears exists to offer support, encouragement and practical help to people affected by hearing loss, while also helping others understand the challenges they may face. We provide accessible Christian fellowship, prayer and pastoral support, events, resources and hearing loss awareness training.

Our partners help us extend this work.

Together, we can:

• Raise awareness and understanding of hearing loss

• Encourage greater accessibility and inclusion

• Share knowledge, experience and practical resources

• Help churches and organisations become more hearing-loss aware

• Connect people with appropriate support and information

• Create opportunities for friendship, fellowship and belonging

• Encourage people affected by hearing loss in their faith and spiritual journey

• Reach communities and individuals who may otherwise feel overlooked or excluded

Who we work with

We welcome opportunities to work with a wide range of organisations and individuals who share our desire to improve the lives of people affected by hearing loss.

This can include:

Churches and Christian organisations

Working together to make churches and Christian communities more accessible and welcoming to people with hearing loss.

Charities and community organisations

Sharing knowledge, resources and experience to improve support and reduce isolation.

Hearing loss organisations and specialists

Working alongside those with specialist knowledge and experience to provide better information, advice and awareness.

Businesses and technology organisations

Exploring ways that technology, products and services can help remove communication barriers and improve accessibility.

Event and training organisations

Working together to provide accessible events, training and opportunities for people to connect and learn.

Individuals and people with lived experience

Listening to and learning from those who understand hearing loss personally, helping ensure that our work remains relevant, practical and grounded in real experience.

What partnership can look like

There is no single model for working with Open Ears. Every partnership is different, and we are keen to explore opportunities that make sense for both organisations.

Partnership might involve:

• Sharing information and resources

• Promoting each other's events and activities

• Providing or hosting hearing loss awareness training

• Collaborating on events, projects or campaigns

• Sharing expertise and lived experience

• Exploring accessibility and inclusion initiatives

• Introducing people to relevant sources of support

• Working together to raise awareness of hearing loss

• Supporting churches and organisations to become more inclusive

Sometimes partnership may simply begin with a conversation and an opportunity to learn more about one another.

Our approach to partnership

We believe good partnerships are built on shared values, mutual respect, openness and a willingness to listen.

We want to work with organisations that recognise the importance of inclusion and are committed to making a positive difference for people affected by hearing loss.

We recognise that we do not have all the answers. By listening to others, learning from different experiences and sharing our own knowledge, we can achieve more together than we could alone.

Let's work together

If your organisation shares our vision for a more inclusive and accessible world and you would like to explore working with Open Ears, we would love to hear from you.

Whether you have an idea for a joint project, would like to share resources and expertise, are interested in hearing loss awareness training, or simply want to explore how we might work together, please get in touch.

Together, we can help remove barriers, build understanding and create communities where people affected by hearing loss can truly belong.