TUESDAY evening lipreading classes will continue thanks to a £1,500 donation from healthcare provider Simplyhealth.

The funds will go towards covering the costs of the qualified tutor for one year.

Andover Lip-readers exists to provide deaf and hard of hearing people with lip-reading tuition and practical advice on how to manage their day to day activities in a hearing world.

Taking part in the classes will enable people to understand why some words appear similar and will help them to differentiate between lip shapes, facial expressions, body language and context.

Barrie Wickens, from Andover Lip-readers, said: “The donation from Simplyhealth is wonderful as it has saved a complete class for the next academic year. However, we still need extra funding to enable us to continue with our other classes.

“Lip-reading is a vital communication for those who experience hearing loss. The classes not only offer invaluable skills but also provide a place where members can meet and mix with others in similar situations.

Each year we assist almost 40 deafened people in the community to improve social and business interaction.”

Mark Hamson, spokesman for Simplyhealth, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this group.

“It’s great that the lipreading lessons will allow people in Andover and surrounding villages the chance to develop skills, which will enrich their lives.”

It is estimated that more than one in six people in the UK have some degree of hearing impairment or deafness. Lip-reading classes are designed to give pupils the confidence and skills to tackle the isolation experienced by people with hearing loss.

Andover lip-reading classes run in three, ten week terms, from early October to December; early January to March and from April to the end of June.