Sign Language for All

I have been running the Sign Language for All project since 2018, providing sign language tuition for those who wish to learn. It was previously a project within Sound Friends Deaf Children’s Society, but has recently moved outside the charity to become a community project in it’s own right.

The project provides sign language tuition, with the aims of increasing knowledge of Deaf Awareness and Sign Language throughout the community & reducing the communication barriers and feelings of isolation experienced by Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HOH) individuals in our communities.

This year, there are 51 students studying British Sign Language (BSL) at Levels 1, 2 & 3 using a mix of face-to-face and online classes, delivered by qualified Deaf tutors and associated with the examining bodies - Signature & iBSL (Institute of British Sign Language). Classes run in Banbridge, Co Down & Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The total amount required to fund this years classes (Sept 2021 - June 2022) is £18,000. This provides fully funded places for students with a mixture of reasons for learning - some have a Deaf/HOH child, partner or family member, some work with Deaf/HOH children in school or community services, others wish to improve their own knowledge and skills to use within their professional or personal lives. Funding covers all tuition, exam and registration fees, public indemnity insurance as well as room rental for the physical classes.

Should any excess money be raised, it will be used to provide extra sign language tuition, or donated to National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), a charity which has supported my own Deaf child since her diagnosis at newborn hearing screening almost eight years ago and continues to this day.

The most important reason for these classes is to ensure that parents of Deaf/HOH children have access to accredited sign language tuition in order that they might communicate with their own children - can you imagine not being able to communicate with your own child??