CDA Hearing Help Befriending Scheme and Tea & Talk

What to expect

Cambridgeshire Deaf Association's (CDA) Hearing Help Befriending Scheme offers friendly support for older adults with hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect more than just your ears — it can impact your confidence, independence, and connection to others.

Alongside one-to-one befriending (matching you with a friendly, trained volunteer who understands the challenges of hearing loss for a regular chat over the phone, a walk together, or simply a visit for a cuppa), in South Cambs there are Tea & Talk groups that meet in Cambourne and Sawston.

To find out when CDA activities and groups meet, click on this link or contact Marika via email or by calling the phone number provided. Tea & Talk is held for two hours but you don't need to stay the whole time if you don’t want to. Sessions are delivered by experienced staff at CDA alongside friendly volunteers and there is no need to book in advance. If you are feeling nervous about going for the first time, you can contact Marika via email or telephone and ask any questions beforehand. Carers/friends are also welcome to join sessions.

There's more information about one-to-one befriending and a form to complete on this link.

More information

Refreshments are included at Tea & Talk sessions. You don’t need to be profoundly deaf or to have a befriender to attend sessions, most of the people CDA support use hearing aids or lip read and communicate in spoken English.

Venues are wheelchair accessible and have disabled toilets as well as free parking.

If you want to get involved and support others, CDA is always looking for warm, understanding volunteers who can give just a little of their time each month to support someone nearby.

Attending Tea & Talk is free but donations are welcome. The Befriending Scheme is also free.