All Together project

NDCS has developed some great resources for grandfathers, fathers and siblings of deaf children through the All Together project.

NDCS was awarded funding from the Big Lottery ‘Reaching Communities’ Grant Programme to run an exciting and innovative two-year project called All Together, which took place between 2008 and 2010. During the two years of the project:

• 95 siblings had fun at our sibling activity days
• 72 professionals attended our training course on ‘supporting siblings of deaf children and young people’
• 47 family volunteers were trained to support 328 families at our family weekends

The project developed our work with families, grandfathers and siblings of deaf children in England through consultations, focus groups and activity workshops. This generous participation of many different grandfathers and siblings/families allowed NDCS to identify their unique information and support needs, and to develop services and resources which can best support the wider family of a deaf child.

We now have a number of resources which can be used by families, local groups and professionals wishing to support grandparents, fathers and siblings.

Please note – in order to access the resources you will need to sign in as a member. Signing up is free and easy to do – click here to become a member.

A group of fathers, grandfathers and siblings have written some booklets about their experiences in order to pass on support and encouragement to other families of deaf children.

Fathers
This booklet gives sources of further information and tips from fathers on being a dad of a deaf child.

"[What I most liked about the booklet was] that I am not the only one in the world whose son is not able to hear. I am touched."
- Father

• You and your deaf child: A guide for fathers

Siblings
This bright and colourful publication has been written for siblings by other hearing brothers and sisters. The brand new resource looks at different sibling experiences, shares top tips and provides ideas for activities which can be done within the family.

"I don't feel so alone now - I thought I was the only one who had a deaf brother."
- A sister accessing the booklet

• Me and my deaf brother and sister

Grandparents
This booklet will share grandparents' experiences and includes information and tips from grandparents for families with deaf children.

"Very informative, in language I could understand, with some good advice on how to cope with being a granddad to my beautiful baby grandson."
- Grandparent

"The 'Highs' and 'Lows' I have felt over the last nine years I realize through reading this booklet are shared by other grandparents of deaf grandchildren."
- Grandparent

• You and your grandchild

The whole family
Written for all members of the family, parents and siblings pass on their experiences, information and tips about living with a deaf child.

• You and your family

Written and presented by fathers, grandfathers and siblings, this DVD shares the stories and experiences of the wider family of a deaf child.

Families sometimes need to look at new ways to help and support each other. In this DVD you can select a day from the All Together week and meet grandparents, fathers and siblings who share their thoughts and feelings about having a deaf child in the family.

We have some clips for you to have a look at below:

Introduction
Family activities – making cakes
Understanding Deafness
Building family relationships
Communication
Initial diagnosis – supporting one another
Secret to a happy family

Families can see how other families have fun on a number of activities and then try it themselves using activity cards enclosed.

• Order a free copy of the All Together DVD

As a result of the project's consultations and activity days with families of deaf children and young people, we have produced 3 different online resources. These identify the specific needs of siblings, fathers and grandparents and how service providers can work to support them.

These factsheets may be of particular interest if you work with families, or are looking to set up a local group to support siblings or families.

• Supporting siblings - online resource
• Supporting fathers - online resource
• Supporting grandparents - online resource

Would you like to help NDCS and other families by sharing your experiences during our Family Weekends?

These weekends provide families with the opportunity to share experiences and information in a relaxed and stress-free environment, and we're looking for volunteers to take on the roles of meeting families, facilitating discussion groups and presenting their experiences.

Some feedback from our existing volunteers:

"I like having the opportunity to share my experiences at the family weekends. I didn't have the chance to meet someone who had been through it all when I found out my son was deaf so I wanted to do this to support others."
-  Father

"I've really enjoyed being involved in the sharing of experiences and facilitating groups at the family weekends. When one weekend is finished, I look forward to the next."
-  Grandparent

"I was a little unsure at first but when I had completed the training, I felt more confident about what my role would be. Facilitating the mothers group at the family weekends has been a really good experience and also a personal learning curve."
-  Mother

NDCS will provide free training. If you are interested in joining our friendly team of volunteers, please contact volunteer@ndcs.org.uk

If you would like to find out more about the All Together project, please contact our Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 or at helpline@ndcs.org.uk