Hearing aid maintenance and befriending clubs are launching across the borough.

Charity Action on Hearing Loss is offering the services, Hear to Help and Hear to Meet, for those in Barnet with hearing loss, which they estimate is 54,000 people.

Hear to Help is a drop-in service which provides general maintenance for hearing aid users for free, which includes tubing replacements, batteries and information, while Hear to Meet aims to tackle isolation by getting people together over a cup of tea to share their experiences, and can include guest speakers, activities and discussions.

The charity's head of south east services, Crystal Rolfe, said: "One in six people in Barnet are living with hearing loss and the free drop-ins have proven to be invaluable to the community.

"Our knowledgeable volunteers not only show people how to maintain their hearing aids, but also give them any information and support they need about their hearing loss.

"The monthly Hear to Meet club also helps give people with hearing loss the confidence to get out there and live life to the fullest. Free tea and coffee are provided and attendees are welcome to bring along a friend."

The Hear to Help drop-ins take place at the following locations:

Jewish Deaf Association in Woodside Park Road, Finchley, on the first Thursday of every month from 10am-12pm

Meritage Centre in Church End, Hendon, on the first Friday of every month from 1.30-3.30pm

Hope Corner Community Centre in Mays Lane, Barnet, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1.30-3.30pm

Age UK in Oak Lane, East Finchley, on the last Thursday of every month from 1-3pm

The Hear to Meet service takes place at the Independent Living Centre at Barnet and Southgate College in Bristol Avenue, Colindale, on the second Wednesday of every month from 10.30am - 12.30pm.

There are further Hear to Meet groups in Barnet and Finchley, so contact Richard Turner or Federica Onnis on 020 8369 5325 or email heartohelp.NWLondon@hearingloss.org.uk for more information on these.

To volunteers to help run a service, email volunteering@hearingloss.org.uk .