A new outreach information officer worker for the South West has been appointed for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).

Nicola Way, 29, said deaf people often felt isolated as they sometimes could not participate fully in activities.

Her job will be to reach people through the charity who are isolated and have little access to information on the rights, equipment, services and benefits available to them .

Nicola will also target people working with deaf and hard of hearing people, including health, social services and residential care professionals.

She will work with these groups to improve understanding about the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people.

Nicola said: "It is often very difficult for deaf and hard of hearing people to participate as fully as they would like in social and community activities and this can leave them feeling isolated.

"In this role I will be working to bridge these gaps and ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people in the South West feel less isolated, become more involved in community activities and have a substantially improved quality of life."

For more information call 0808 808 0123 or textphone 0808 808 9000, or email informationline@rnid.org.uk