THE Gazette is helping to ‘change lives’ after giving thousands of pounds to a deaf charity.

South Gloucestershire Deaf Association will open a new learning resource centre in Yate after being awarded close to £4,000.

Service co-ordinator Barbara Martin said: "This will change people’s lives.

"The idea is to set up an information resource centre so that deaf people have access to computers and are able to help themselves.

"We want to help them become independent."

A total of £3,765 will be handed over to the association, based at Frome House on Cranleigh Court Road, by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gazette’s parent company.

The money will buy four computers and equipment which deaf people from all over South Gloucestershire will be able to use.

SGDA chairman Mark Shepherd said: "Many of our clients do not have the confidence to attend job centres, day centres or just go out and socialise.

"This project would also provide a place where they feel safe and within their comfort zone and at the same time working together and encouraging one another."

He added: "The aim of this project is as the saying goes - you can supply the man with fish to eat but if you give him a fishing rod it will be more beneficial in the long term."

Life skills courses, including English and Maths, will be taught from the centre and it is hoped both young and old will access the facilities.

"A lot of deaf people do not have computers," said Mrs Martin.

"This would give them the chance to use email and web cams, with volunteers here to help, and gain the confidence to do it themselves.

"We also hope children who may feel isolated will use the centre."

The deaf association was set up in 1995 to help deaf and hard of hearing people access help and information. The charity, which also translates English into sign language and arranges interpreters for various meetings and events, records around 300 enquiries every month.