Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
GodFirst Church
About this location
Key Stats
Location: Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom
Venue type: House of worship
Seating capacity: 500
Equipment installed: EarisMax transmitter
Installation type: DIY installation
GodFirst Church, known for its welcoming community and modern approach to faith and events, serves a diverse congregation — ranging from Sunday worshippers to visitors attending conferences, community activities, and live events throughout the week. The space is open and flexible, supporting intimate gatherings and large crowds.
At its core, GodFirst’s mission is to create an environment where people can engage, belong, and hear clearly. That mission recently took a big step forward with the deployment of Auracast™ broadcast audio.
The problem statement
Before deploying an Auracast™ solution, GodFirst had no assistive listening system in place. This presented a significant accessibility challenge for those with hearing loss. Initial plans to install a traditional hearing loop system quickly revealed logistical and financial hurdles. “We would have had to lift all the carpets in the venue,” said Justyn Pride, operations manager at GodFirst. “It was not only going to be time consuming but also costly and disruptive.” The church needed a solution that was efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable to future changes in technology.
“We would have had to lift all the carpets in the venue. It was not only going to be time consuming but also costly and disruptive.”
– Justyn Pride, operations manager at GodFirst
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
The answer came from a personal recommendation; a friend familiar with new hearing aid technology suggested installing an Auracast™ broadcast audio, a new Bluetooth® capability that broadcasts high-quality sound directly to Auracast™ enabled devices.
After some research and evaluation, GodFirst chose to install an EarisMax transmitter — a compact and effective Auracast™ solution. The deployment was straightforward, but not without its learning curve. “The biggest challenge was making sure I had earbuds that could connect to the transmitter,” said Pride. “But once that was figured out, the rest was easy.”
Unlike traditional hearing loop systems, the EarisMax did not require structural changes or specialized wiring. The setup avoided costly renovations, allowed for a quick rollout, and positioned the church to embrace evolving technologies, especially as more and more devices begin natively supporting Auracast™ broadcast audio.
Benefits
While full deployment is still in its early stages, the benefits are clear. Those who once struggled to hear can now fully engage in services and events. “It is helping those who were not able to hear completely,” said Pride. “That alone represents a major win for accessibility and inclusion at GodFirst.”
In addition to better supporting those with hearing loss, the simplicity and scalability of Auracast™ broadcast audio has impressed the operations team. They no longer need to maintain outdated or finicky FM systems, and, soon, users will be able to directly tune in using their own Auracast™ headphones, earbuds, hearing aids, etc., reducing the reliance on church-provided hardware.
GodFirst also saved time and money by avoiding the invasive installation that a traditional assistive listening system would have required.
A look ahead
Looking forward, GodFirst sees even greater potential in Auracast™ broadcast audio. The team registered their location with Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and on Google Maps, ensuring that anyone searching for accessible venues will find it listed.
As Auracast™ hearing aids and other audio devices become more widespread, those taking advantage of this new Bluetooth assistive listening capability usage will increase dramatically. “To anyone considering the move, it is worth it,” said Pride.
The church plans to fully roll out the new Auracast™ system in the coming months and expects feedback to begin flowing in as more congregants and guests start embracing the technology. What began as a simple recommendation is now a foundational upgrade to the venue’s accessibility and audio experience, ensuring that everyone who walks through the doors at GodFirst can more easily connect and listen.
“To anyone considering the move, it is worth it.”
– Justyn Pride, operations manager at GodFirst
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