Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, which has a puppy training hub in South Oxfordshire, shared the call during Deaf Awareness Week (4–10 May).

The charity highlighted ongoing challenges faced by deaf individuals, despite increasing awareness of hearing loss.

David Robson, a spokesperson for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “Hearing dogs provide life-changing support for deaf people, alerting them to important and often life-saving sounds, as well as helping them feel more independent and more connected.

“But inclusion goes beyond the work of our dogs – it’s about how we all communicate and interact every day.

“Small changes in behaviour can make a huge difference.”

To mark Deaf Awareness Week, the charity has published ten practical tips for communicating with deaf people.

The advice includes making sure you have someone’s attention before speaking, facing them so they can lipread, and avoiding covering your mouth or speaking while eating.

Other suggestions include speaking clearly without exaggerating, using written communication if needed, and learning basic British Sign Language (BSL).

Maxine Clare, who was partnered with her hearing dog Walter in 2016, described the isolation that can come with hearing loss.

Ms Clare said: “When my own hearing loss deteriorated, I discovered just how isolating deafness can be.

“It wasn’t just about missing sounds; it was missing that connection with people.

“If I didn’t respond, people assumed I was ignoring them.

“I’ve been pushed, dragged, screamed at, and sworn at – just because I didn’t hear people asking me to move.

“These moments are what make me so passionate about deaf awareness.

“Walter wears a burgundy jacket that signals he’s a hearing dog.

“That jacket does more than grant access; it sparks conversations and breaks down barriers.

“If I could leave you with one thought it would be that next time, if someone doesn’t respond when you’re talking to them, instead of feeling affronted, embarrassed, or frustrated, maybe your first thought should be, ‘perhaps they’re deaf.’”

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs to alert deaf people to vital sounds, such as smoke alarms, doorbells and even baby monitors.

The charity has developed a practical guide called ‘It Matters’, which offers simple advice to help people communicate more effectively and confidently with deaf people.

The guide reinforces the message that everyone deserves to feel included and that small actions can make a big difference.

It can be downloaded at www.hearingdogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/communication-guide.

The two pictures here are among hundreds that the Oxford Mail has published of happy occasions at the Churchill Hospital.

The one above was taken in 1988 when a wildlife garden was opened in the hospital grounds to attract birds and delight patients.

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It was one of six similar gardens created in the Headington hospital grounds at that time.

The work was carried out by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists’ Trust and was the brainchild of former patient Pat Hartridge.

Mrs Hartridge is pictured second from the right in the picture with, left to right, Cliff Shuker, Phil Hill and Colleen Petursson.

Mr Shuker was the senior director of ISTEL, a Cowley-based high-tech company which paid the £300 cost of creating the garden.

Mr Hill was the project supervisor and Mrs Petursson was assistant director of nursing services at the hospital.

They are seen unveiling the board at the entrance to the latest garden, outside the day room of the gynaecology ward. It had been planted with woodland trees, including silver birch and mountain ash.

The new £3,000 wheelchair ambulance

The lower picture dates from 1975 when a £3,000 wheelchair ambulance was officially handed over to the hospital by the Oxfordshire branch of the British Red Cross Society.

It was bought from the profits made over a number of years at the Red Cross shop at the hospital.

Michael Page, the Red Cross director in Oxfordshire, is seen handing the keys to Marjorie Corton, the hospital’s head occupational therapist, as patients and staff look on.

Patients had already ridden in the vehicle, which had a tail-lift and had room for three wheelchairs and seats for others.

The Oxford Mail reported: “It is being used to take patients to their homes with an occupational therapist so their ability to cope at home can be assessed.

“When the young chronic sick unit opens at the Churchill, the ambulance will take patients from there on shopping trips and outings.”

The hospital celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2022.

It was initially founded by the Ministry of Health as an Emergency Medical Service hospital for local air raid casualties and then leased to the medical services of the United States Army.

In 1946, the facility was handed over to Oxford City Council, with the Radcliffe Infirmary managing the transition to a civilian hospital,

The relay will involve hundreds of walkers and community groups as they travel the full 185.2-mile route from Gloucestershire to east London, passing through Henley and other towns along the way.

It begins at the river’s source near Kemble, Gloucestershire, on June 5, finishing at the Woolwich Foot Tunnel on June 28.

Hannah Gutteridge, Thames Path national trail manager, said: “We’ve created 24 walks along the Thames Path, each walk will be led by an experienced leader from a community group, several of them from The Ramblers.

“We’re now inviting everyone to join us on the Relay.”

To mark the anniversary, 30 poems by Poet-in-Residence Robert Seatter will be featured in 30 locations between the Source and Woolwich, accessible through QR codes on waymarker posts.

A special mural by artist Vickie Amiralis is also being painted on Mill Meadows Pavilion in Henley-on-Thames during May.

Ms Gutteridge said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with enthusiastic and experienced walk leaders from local Ramblers groups, regular Thames Path users and the Mayors for a Drinkable Thames.”

The relay is being organised in partnership with the Drinkable Rivers Foundation.

Li An Phoa, founder of the foundation, walked the Thames Path from source-to-sea in 2023, which gathered momentum for the ‘Mayors for a Drinkable Thames’ action network.

Li An Phoa and co-initiator of the Mayors for a Drinkable Thames James Manthel said: “During this walk we hope to strengthen the connection between the people and communities along the Thames.”