National Trust, Tyntesfield

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The challenge: Support staff and visitors with hearing difficulties when using the café, restaurant, ticket and retail outlets.
The solution: Supply and install across the counter loop systems.
The benefits: All customers with hearing aids are able to use the systems to hear better, improving their experience of being on-site

“Gordon Morris are a local hearing specialist, a small company who are always happy to help and provide support when needed.”

Tyntesfield is a Victorian Gothic Revival house and estate in North Somerset near Wraxall, now in the care of the National Trust. Bought by William Gibbs in 1844, it was transformed for his  growing family to escape to, and included a picturesque landscape of farmed fields, woodland and gardens around the main mansion.

Gordon Morris had installed two room loops in the Sawmills in 2014 and provided a portable system for events. When a further requirement was identified to support users of the shops and restaurants, Gordon Morris was approached for a quote due to the consistently high level of service and support previously provided. Facilities Manager Sarah Schmitz added

“we like to support local businesses, which is another reason I contacted the Gordon Morris team”.

Support all visitors to the Tyntesfield Estate

Mark Birch the Operations Manager, was invited to meet and discuss their requirements. Mark undertook a survey of the rooms and desks to ensure the suggested solution would meet the needs of the National Trust visitors. Sarah advised that they welcomed over 300,000 visitors to the Tyntesfield estate last year. To ensure that all visitors and staff enjoy their experience when visiting the property, counter loops were required for other locations across the property.

Many of the buildings are over a hundred years old which presents potential acoustic issues. Mark was able to identify the best quality solution to support the hearing-impaired user. The microphones on the counter tops were also upgraded to gooseneck microphones to provide better sound for the users. Sarah advised that they have their own loop listener which is used monthly by a trained volunteer to check all systems were functioning correctly. Loop listeners are available from Gordon Morris to loan, hire or buy.

Recommended Services

Sarah commented that:

“Gordon Morris are a local hearing specialist, a small company who are always happy to help and provide support when needed”.

Gordon Morris engineers offer the full package from surveying the premises, advising what equipment is required, suggesting solutions, installing and maintaining the system.

Gordon Morris would like to thank Sarah Schmitz for her kind cooperation with this article and wishes everyone at the National Trust the very best for the future.
To find out more about National Trust Tyntesfield visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/whats-on

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Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset

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The challenge: To support hard of hearing councillors and members of the public to allow them to fully participate in meetings and events.
The solution: The portable Phonak Roger system, supplied with full training provided.
The benefits: The fully portable solution has enabled the councillors and public to participate and engage in meetings and events.

Glastonbury Town Hall is a beautiful grade II listed building built in the 1800’s, located on Magdelene Street, close to the Market Place situated next to Glastonbury Abbey. It is owned, maintained and run by Glastonbury Town Council.

The building consists of a number rooms including; two Halls, a Council Chamber and Mayors Parlour, not to mention two Kitchens and a bar.

“It has improved discussions so all members are able to hear clearly.”

Support for the Whole Family

Licenced as a wedding venue, the building is able to accommodate a variety of events including coffee mornings, craft fairs and much more. To ensure that all attendees, councillors and members of the public are able to fully participate, it was recognised that an additional hearing system was required.

Gordon Morris had previously installed a room loop in the main hall. Therefore when a further requirement was identified to support users at chamber events. Due to the level of service and support provided during the previous install, advice and a quote was requested.

Premises and Estates Officer Jackie Boice contacted Gordon Morris and invited Mark Birch Operations Manager to meet and discuss their requirements. Mark is known to the Town Council for the training and support he provides. Mark demonstrated the portable Phonak Roger system, which is quick and easy to set up and packs neatly away into its own protective case. The system can be simply picked up and moved to wherever needed.

The council chamber is used for many meetings and often welcomes members of the public. Former Councillor Bill Knight previously commented on the difference the Phonak Roger system made to the meetings, it has improved discussions so all members are able to hear clearly. For the public sitting in the gallery at the meetings, the slimline wireless speaker can be positioned to provide better sound quality ensuring all present in the room are able to hear those using the microphones.

The wireless microphones are quick and easy to setup, removing the worry of cables and the safety of users. The microphones can also be passed to the public should they wish to ask questions during a meeting.

“The support we receive from Mark has been great. He is always available to answer questions.”

Professional service

Gordon Morris engineers offer a full service and support package. From surveying the premises and advising what equipment is required, to installing and maintaining the system. Caretaker Les commented, ‘the support we receive from Mark has been great. He is always available to answer questions.’

To find out more about Glastonbury Town Hall visit www.glastonbury.gov.uk

Gordon Morris would like to thank Jackie Boice for her kind cooperation with this article and wishes everyone at Glastonbury Town Hall the very best for the future.

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Shaftesbury Abbey Primary School, Shaftesbury

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The challenge: Support hard of hearing visitors and students within the school with a system that allow them to fully engage in all activities.
The solution: A soundfield system, induction loop and additional microphones.
The benefits: All children and visitors, particularly hard of hearing children, can now be fully involved in group activities.

Improving disabled access can help educational premises to be more effective and competitive. Shaftesbury Abbey Primary School, situated in the beautiful town of Shaftesbury, Dorset, were due to have three children with double cochlear implants. With the increase in children from one to three in need of support with their hearing, it was suggested that the school consider taking appropriate action to enable all three children to participate equally.

“The hearing system has made such an outstanding difference to teachers and children alike.”

Elizabeth Gower of Dorset Hearing Support Services suggested that the school consider installing a hearing loop to enable the children to hear the speaker without the need of a receiver.

Head Teacher Michael Salisbury contacted Gordon Morris and met with Mark Birch, Operations Manager, to review the buildings and understand the requirements.

Improved access

The school has a number of buildings, the oldest dating back to the 1800s. The suggested solutions included a soundfield system for teaching, with extra radio microphones for the larger PA system and a loop system covering the whole room.

With assemblies in a large hall, everyone is able to benefit from the new system.

‘The hearing-impaired children were fully engaged and able to hear the speaker, join in confidently with the singing and be part of the assembly’

There are benefits for the children who are not hearing impaired too. Those that sat at the back of the hall were able to hear via the PA system and soundfield.

The microphones, in particular, those worn around the neck, have been of great benefit to the teachers. Mr Salisbury explained that in assemblies the teachers were able to speak to all the children through the microphone rather than having to raise their voice. The children at the back of the hall could hear, enabling much better diction.

Mr Salisbury went on to say that when he trialled the mic with a child who has cochlear implants, he could see the joy on her face when Mr Salisbury asked her if she could hear him.

“We are delighted with the difference it has made to the school.”

Recommended service

Gordon Morris engineers offer the full package. From surveying the premises, advising what equipment is required to installing and maintaining the system, Gordon Morris does it all. Gordon Morris was recommended to Mr Salisbury by David Preston, the school governor. David works with St John’s Church in Shaftesbury, where Gordon Morris installed a loop and PA system.

Mr Salisbury said that he was made aware of funding options via the Salisbury school Diocese, which, ‘other schools may not be aware of. It helped greatly.’ Mr Salisbury commented that, ‘when my neck microphone ran out of charge, I continued to teach, realising this is how we taught before the system was in place. The hearing system has made such an outstanding difference to all; teachers and children alike.’

When asked if he would recommend the system to other schools, Mr Salisbury said, ‘without hesitation. We are delighted with the difference it has made to the school.’

To find out more about what Shaftesbury Abbey Primary School can offer visit: www.abbeyschool.org.uk

Gordon Morris would like to thank Mr Salisbury for his kind cooperation with this article and wishes everyone at Shaftesbury Abbey Primary School the very best for the future.

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