DEAF and hearing impaired people are being urged to take advantage of free classes at a newly-relaunched charity.

Sessions at Communic8te in Tenterden Street, Bury, are also open to those who would like to be able to communicate better with those who have a hearing impediment.

The charity, which changed its name earlier this year, currently hosts a range of workshops including British Sign Language, deaf awareness, tinnitus support and help for people who use hearing aids or lip-read.

Manager Robert Quayle said a new deaf awareness course is set to start in January with a level one British Sign Language (BSL) course beginning before Christmas.

Both classes are open to people aged 19 or over who are unemployed or working less than eight hours a week, are receiving benefits, and are looking for work.

He added: "We have gained funding to provide an accredited Deaf Awareness course will enable people to communicate better with those who are deaf and hearing impaired.

"Deaf awareness is the broad term used to describe a positive understanding of and attitude towards deaf people, the deaf community and deaf culture."

The deaf awareness course includes a basic understanding of sign language and finger spelling, understanding deaf history and culture, communication tactics, terminology and statistics, legislation, society and technology.

The BSL level one course consists of 20 weeks of three hour sessions and will include introduction to BSL, conversational BSL and BSL at school, college or work.

Mr Quayle said: "We have now started our first BSL Level 1 course and it is going great. The 12 participants are loving it and hoping to gain employment with this extra skill.

"The provision of this training is completely free and is on a first come, first served, basis.

"Completion of the courses and assessment leads to accredited certification which could assist participants with gaining work or place them in an advantageous position when making applications.

"In addition to the training, opportunities will be available to join in social events with hearing and deaf people in social settings to practice the new skills."

The next tinnitus support group meeting, which is open to anyone who suffers from the condition, is on Monday (November 17) at 1pm.

Two lip-reading and hearing aid user group are held on alternate Fridays between 10am and 12pm and between 1pm and 3pm. These are for anyone who wears a hearing aid and those training to work with people who use a hearing aid.

Classes teach lipreading, offer 'try before you buy 'sessions on specialist equipment, and an opportunity to socialise.

Anyone who is interested in attending any of the courses should contact Communic8te on communic8tebury@gmail.com, ring 0161 763 4882, or go to communic8tebury.org.uk.