Retail centres in Gloucester first to be awarded Certificate in Deaf Awareness

Real estate management company Colliers' retail and leisure destinations in Gloucester, including the Eastgate Shopping Centre, King’s Walk, Kings Square and St Oswalds, have been awarded a Certificate in Deaf Awareness after collaborating with the Gloucestershire Deaf Association (GDA).

Throughout March and April, GDA had a dedicated stand set up within King’s Walk, allowing the charity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by individuals who are deaf and/or hard of hearing. The team was on hand to educate the public about these issues, allowing shoppers in the City to both contribute towards the charity and gain valuable insights into what life is like for the hard of hearing.

Colliers also organised a comprehensive day of training for its staff members, under the guidance of GDA. Employees from the Eastgate Shopping Centre, King’s Walk, Kings Square and St Oswalds Retail Park came together for the training, equipping them with the skills required to support individuals with hearing loss, further enhancing their experience at each of the four locations.

The four sites have become the first retail and entertainment venues in the region to receive this recognition from the Gloucestershire Deaf Association.

In April, the partnership culminated in a free-to-attend open-air cinema screening, where GDA served as the official charity partner for the event. Subtitles were provided during the screening of The Lego Movie and The Greatest Showman. The association's advertisements were prominently displayed on the screen, and volunteers actively collected donations, resonating the message of support with the wider community.

Jason Robinson, Senior Destination Manager for the four sites, expressed his delight at the success and importance of the partnership:

"We are immensely grateful for the invaluable partnership we've established with the Gloucester Deaf Association. Their dedication to empowering individuals with hearing loss and advocating for inclusivity is truly commendable.

“Through their expertise and dedicated commitment to the cause, they have played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the challenges faced by deaf individuals in our community. Their tireless efforts to educate and support both the public and organisations like ours has been instrumental in fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

“We are proud to stand alongside them in our shared mission to promote accessibility and create spaces where individuals of all abilities feel welcome and valued.”

Sally Gillespie, Fundraising Manager of Gloucestershire Deaf Association, added:

“We were pleased to be asked to collaborate and partner with King’s Walk and Eastgate Shopping Centre, the teams really understood why our charities mission to help people live confidently with their hearing loss is important to their many customers and colleagues alike. We are grateful for the many opportunities during March and April, including raising money for our charity. We would love to work with the team again in the future.”