New ‘outreach worker’ for the Deaf arrives with her ‘hearing’ dog

A new Outreach Worker to the Deaf Community for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham arrived to start work this month with an extra helper, in the form of her ‘hearing dog’ – Hovis.

Susan Bloomfield (46), who takes over from Deaf Evangelist, Ken Dyson, moved to the Nottinghamshire from Guildford where she had worked as a chaplain with deaf people combined with pastoral work in a parish. Hovis is her third hearing dog, who she describes as a cheeky and lovable poodle.

Susan comes with 16 years experience in pastoral work and evangelism, and said she was excited about her new role: “I am looking forward to working with the Deaf Community and getting to know the people in the parish of St. Mary's Arnold where I am living. I will be looking for ways to enable Deaf people to explore faith and to develop their own gifts and skills as part of the mission in the Deaf Community..”

Susan was brought up in Suffolk, where her father was a dairy herdsman and has spent much of her life moving around the country, including positions in Oxfordshire, the West Country, Sheffield and Surrey.

After training as a Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer in Histology and Cytology, she went on to train with the Church Army in Sheffield and gained a diploma in evangelism. It was during that period that she spent some time in Nottinghamshire on a placement at Lambley Parish church, with the former Archdeacon of Newark, the Ven Dr Nigel Peyton. In 2006 she graduated with an honours degree in Psychology from the Open University. She then studied on Guildford Diocesan Ministry Course and gained a degree in Theology accredited by the University of Bangor.

Susan started her first deaf chaplaincy in the Diocese of Bath & Wells in 1997 where she worked with the Vicar of Glastonbury! Some of her work included iworship – exploring inclusive, interactive alternative worship with various groups and parishes.

She went on to become a chaplain with deaf people in the Diocese of Guildford, where she produced a comprehensive booklet on Deaf Awareness for local ministers. She also helped raise awareness of deaf issues and gave advice to churches where needed.

Susan is a massive Apple Mac computer fan and enjoys walking, chess, reading and music. She has an electric piano and is teaching herself to play.

Susan will be licensed in her new role by the Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt Revd Tony Porter, on Wednesday 28th September at 3pm at the Nottinghamshire Deaf Centre, 22 Forest Road West, Nottingham NG7 4EQ.

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