Portsmouth staff are going the extra mile to educate children with hearing loss despite fundraising struggles

Speech and language therapists and teachers at The Elizabeth Foundation in Cosham have carried on helping and supporting families with online lessons and video calls to help youngsters carry on developing their speech and language skills.

But the charity, which has been running for nearly 40 years, is facing a drop in funds due to a drop in donations and had to cancel all fundraising activities due to coronavirus. It needs to raise £750,000 each year.

Deputy chief executive Karen Vaughan said: ‘Like all charities we have had to adapt massively and quickly.

‘For us we couldn’t just stop everything for a few months because those children need to carry on with their education to help their skills at what is such a crucial time of their life.

‘Our teachers and therapists have created an online programme for families to follow with videos showing exercises and activities to do as well as doing video calls.

‘One of the children was touching the screen in one of the sessions because they thought their teacher was really there which just shows the bond they have.

‘Some families are overwhelmed with it all but everyone is coping well.’

The charity usually sees between 90 to 100 children, who come in weekly to the site on Southwick Hill Road, next to Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Karen said: ‘I think sometimes people think we are NHS because some of their staff use our buildings and we are situated right next to the hospital but we aren’t and don’t receive any funding.

‘Our donations have dropped from individuals and businesses, which is completely understandable as everyone is struggling. We don’t know how much income we will lose but we have to raise around £750,000 a year for all our services.

‘We will have to look to see how we will cope in future.’

Portsmouth chocolatier Michael Collins, who runs Theobroma Cacao Chocolate Limited, gifted a box of handmade chocolates to help them raise money.

An anonymous gentleman paid £100 in an auction but gifted them back for the staff to enjoy.

Donate at elizabeth-foundation.org/donate

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