Eastgate Shopping Centre, King's Walk, Kings Square and St Oswalds recently took part in a partnership with the Gloucestershire Deaf Association.

The collaboration between the charity and the Colliers retail and leisure destinations was aimed at championing inclusivity and support for individuals with hearing loss.

Throughout March and April, GDA had a dedicated stand set up in King's Walk 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 life for the hard of hearing.

Colliers also organised a comprehensive day of training for its staff members, under the guidance of GDA.

Employees from Eastgate Shopping Centre, King's Walk, Kings Square and St Oswalds got together for the training, which gave them the skills to support people with hearing loss, to help enhance their experience at each of the shopping centres.

The four sites are the first retail and entertainment venues in the region to receive a prestigious Deaf Awareness Certificate from the Gloucestershire Deaf Association.

Jason Robinson, senior destination manager for the four sites, said: "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."

Sally Gillespie, fundraising manager of Gloucestershire Deaf Association, said: "The teams really understood why our charity's 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."