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June 5, 2009
Farm visit helps deaf youngsters
Dozens of deaf children and youngsters with communication difficulties have been treated to a day on a farm to learn about food and healthy eating – thanks to a Northampton supermarket boss.
Kim Thomas, who runs the Co-op in St Leonards Road, Far Cotton, teamed up with signing group Talking With Hands to organise the trip to the Co-op Farm in Ashby St-Ledger, near Daventry, after learning deaf people find it difficult to get information about food.
Rose-Ann O’Malley, who runs Talking With Hands, said deaf people know shop staff are often unable to help and so cannot make informed choices about their diets.
She said this then leads to health problems as well as low self-esteem.
Mrs O’Malley said: “Kids nowadays are so used to parents giving them rubbish. If you have communication needs then it is very difficult to understand.
“Kim contacted me and said she was really concerned about this and we organised for 30 children to go to the farm. It makes them see that there are other options than burgers.
“It’s also about self-image which could develop eventually into mental health issues.
“This is going to be beneficial for them for the future and it has enabled them to think about what they are eating as well as having the potential to grow different things.”
The youngsters got to taste raw vegetables and try out farming equipment, as well as cooking their own food, during the visit on Saturday.
Mrs O’Malley said she hoped to take more children to the farm and added: “Kim has made a lot of difference to young people who will now spread the word.”
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Farm-visit-helps-deaf-youngsters.5299817.jp
Posted by 4HL on June 5, 2009 11:16 AM
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