Bristol's Deaf Children
We want to raise awareness of Bristol’s D/deaf and hard of hearing children and their families, and some of the incredible organisations that help to support them.
Our tree is a joint collaboration between four organisations:
· Bristol Deaf Children’s Society
· Family Centre for Deaf Children
· Little Hands
· Acorns Playgroup
All of the beautiful decorations that adorn our tree are handmade by Bristol’s D/deaf and hard of hearing children with the help of their families.
We’re so excited to be part of Treefest again this year and we hope you enjoy our tree!
Bristol Deaf Children’s Society
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1083505435078936/
Bristol Deaf Children’s Society is a parent-led group with aims to provide a support network for parents of children with all types and levels or hearing loss/ deafness.
The group is a forum for parents to seek advice from other parents, organise informal meet ups, celebrate their child's successes, discuss local services or share tips that they’ve have found useful.
What the parents say:
“BDCS has been instrumental in connecting deaf families and is a fantastic forum for connection and support. I’ve seen so many parents get much needed support just by reaching out in this safe space. It’s a scary time getting when you find out your baby or child is deaf - being able to talk to people that have been there has been invaluable to members.”
Sophie Bolton, parent of Ella who has a moderate, bilateral hearing loss diagnosed just weeks after birth.
The Family Centre (Deaf Children)
The Family Centre provides support to all deaf families in the region, enabling a social network for families and a peer group for the children and enabling access to local leisure facilities. They provide information and advice on deaf issues, run workshops and training, provide social support and improve access to recreational facilities and improve the opportunities available to deaf families.
They also run a variety of family activities and kids activities each year, including BSL lessons, a BSL choir and coffee mornings.
What the parents say:
“The Family Centre delivers incredible support from deaf families. They’ve even set up peer groups for the children and support for parents allowing families in similar circumstances to meet and share experiences”
Kirsty Amos, mum of Sacha, who has a profound bilateral hearing loss.
Little Hands
Little Hands is a group for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and BSL parents in Bristol. They have two groups that meet: Little Fingers for bumps to 3 year olds and Little Hands for those with children up to 7 years old with weekend events and meetings in school holidays. They provide lots of fun interpreted activities like baby gym, forest school trips and messy glow play.
What the parents say:
“As a hearing parent of deaf children, it has been great to meet Deaf adults who have shared tips about being deaf and bringing up a child”
Elizabeth Sutherland, parent to four children, whose family uses BSL as their home language.
Acorns
Acorns is a weekly early years group run by the Bristol Sensory Support Service for young children who are deaf or have partial hearing.
The children play in the nursery and are taught and supervised by BSL trained and experienced volunteers. While they play and take part in activities tailored to their needs parents can take a much needed break in the coffee room where talks and presentations are laid on.
Parents get to hear from other parents with older children that have graduated from Acorns. This can be hugely encouraging for parents of young children, especially when hearing about the challenges they have overcome and the achievements they have made.
Sessions also cover how to prepare deaf children for school, how to access grants and other local and National support.
What the parents say:
“Acorns has been an incredible experience for our family. It’s such a supportive group and we’ve loved every minute”
Maya White, mum of Jean who has a severe unilateral hearing loss.
