
We organise family activities in every school holiday and at least one weekend a month. Any family with a deaf child or parent can become a member, and the whole family are welcome at events. All our activities use English and BSL, so all the children will be able to join in whether they use hearing aids, cochlear implants, BSL or are hearing. We also run a range of family friendly BSL classes and workshops: children's beginners and improvers, dad's weekend workshops, BSL Level 1.
Why the community needs usOur activities provide a place for deaf parents and hearing parents of deaf children to come together and share experiences, make friends and feel supported. Deaf children, hearing siblings and children of deaf adults enjoy new activities, meet new friends. We visit local attractions with interpreters to make them accessible, hold creative workshops and regular family parties. We are the only local provider of children's BSL classes, weekend workshops for dads and subsidised BSL Level 1.
Our impact on the communityDeaf children in mainstream schools rarely get a chance to meet other deaf children & can feel they are the only one. Our activities help them understand deaf culture & develop a deaf identity. Hearing siblings join in so they don't feel left out and all children in the family have fun together. Children's confidence and communication is improved. Parents share their experiences and gain support so they can make more informed decisions for their family. All the family can try BSL together.
c/o Elmfield School for Deaf, Bristol BS10 6AY