PARENTS of deaf children are trying to set up a support network in Basingstoke.

A group met for a picnic in Eastrop Park where Basingstoke MP Maria Miller listened to their concerns about the lack of facilities for their children in the town.

Emma Hayes, from South View, whose eight-year-old step-daughter Annalise has been profoundly deaf since birth, said it is very frustrating.

She added: “There are no facilities for deaf children. There’s a real lack of choice in after-school care. My daughter wants to be able to do activities independently and it’s frustrating that she can’t.

“It’s so important for children to have a deaf peer group and meet other children to know they aren’t the only ones who are deaf, and to give them confidence.”

The families from north Hampshire played games and had a picnic on the grass at the event, organised with the help of the National Deaf Children’s Society.

It is hoped they will continue to host regular meet-ups so their children can play with others who are also deaf.

But Carol Smith, who helped organised the event and has experience of looking after deaf children, said funding is needed for a permanent facility in the town.

She added: “We are hoping to get a regular group going. We need a venue and we aren’t officially a club yet but we are hoping to set one up. Deaf children need to see other deaf children and have a network around them, and there isn’t one in Basing-stoke.”

A Basingstoke group for deaf people called Face Us used to run in the town, but closed down two years ago.

Mrs Miller, who is minister for disabled people, said: “There have been problems with supporting families with deaf children and deaf families for a number of years and I was involved with trying to keep the Face Us organisation going. There’s a clear need to have more support.”