A company that offers a unique employment environment for deaf people and is deaf-led is using the support of a Fenland business grant to help it continue to thrive.

Rai and Rai Bathrooms opened in Market Street, Whittlesey, in December last year and says it has found the town a welcoming base.

The business is an evolution of Rai and Rai General Builders launched by deaf friends Raimonds Epners, 35, and Raivis Tidemanis, 45, in 2019.

The pair have British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on site and remotely to allow them to provide a full service to the deaf and hearing community. Of their nine-strong staff, six are deaf and the firm’s directors plan to keep providing inclusive employment opportunities.

Rai and Rai Bathrooms was one of 16 business to receive a £5k Fenland Rural England Prosperity grant in the first round of bidding.

The grant helped ensure Rai and Rai Bathrooms had screens large enough to enable seamless dial-in sign language translations between hearing and non-hearing staff and customers, and an adequate desk space to accommodate it, when live translations are not possible.

Raimonds said: “Setting up the business in 2019 was something we had always wanted to do after many years working with people who we couldn't always communicate with as we are both profoundly deaf and use BSL to communicate.

“It was so uplifting to be our own managers and make our own plans for the future.

“Setting up the bathroom showroom in Whittlesey has been a wonderful experience, being able to engage with the local community and feel part of a wider group of people. Being deaf can often feel isolating but we have been made to feel so welcome in Whittlesey.

“Communication can often take longer so we have had to be mindful of this as we grow the business.

“It feels fantastic, and sometimes surreal, to be able to offer people job opportunities and to be a part of our close team.

“This is especially important for deaf people as it is vital they're able to fully communicate with colleagues and managers."