The future of a deaf club at risk of closing has been secured after it received a £10K lottery grant.

Forest Deaf Club, which became a registered charity in August last year, will now be able to offer a wide range of activities at Uplands Social Club in Green Walk, Woodford Bridge.

With the extra cash, the club is planning to provide a monthly fitness classes, fortnightly computer training, and days out to places such as the Eastbourne Air Show and Harry Potter World.

The group, previously known as Walthamstow Deaf Club, were forced to move to Redbridge due to high rent and the club was struggling to survive.

Club Secretary Jackie Benson said the grant has now transformed its outlook.

She said: “So many deaf clubs are closing as it is so hard to get funding and there are struggles with finding premises.

“We are absolutely delighted with the funding, we were down to a very low amount of money and I was thinking about scaling back but this news has lifted us all.

“Many deaf people are on benefits and have no jobs so a chance to go on days out is so important for them.

“I am so pleased.”

The club meets on Wednesday evenings every two weeks at Uplands Social Club from 7pm to 10pm.

Around 30 people attend each meeting but Ms Benson said the facilities have room for more.

She said: “We want to spread the word within Redbridge and beyond, that we are a social club for the deaf and for those hearing people who want to learn the language.

“We are one of the very few clubs in the UK who actively encourage both deaf and hearing to mix and learn from each other, by breaking down the misconceived barrier which exists in the hearing world, who some look upon as being disabled.

“Deaf people are not ‘disabled’, just without hearing.”

For more information visit the website: www.forestdeafclub.org.uk