Time out

There are lots of organsations and websites that can help you make the most of your free time. You can learn new skills, play new sports, and meet new people.

Sports and other activities

If you are looking for things to do out of school or college then here are some ideas. If you are sporty and like doing activities in a group or if you want to do something more individual there are lots of projects to get involved in.

 

Outdoor projects

Deaf Camp is a residential outdoor project for deaf young people aged 10-15. The project's aim is to provide opportunities for young deaf children to take part in a multi-activity camp. Activities include abseiling, climbing, orienteering, air rifling, archery to name but a few. It also aims to enable the young deaf child to meet other deaf children, to gain confidence and develop newfound skills in the great outdoors.

Outward Bound gives information on courses and adventure days for 11- 24 year olds to help build trust, confidence, leadership skills, communication and teamwork.

Sport

UK deaf sport has information on events, Deaflympics, school sports and projects. It also has details of local and national deaf sports organisations and a newsletter.

British Deaf Sports Council has news on sports events and a calendar of what is coming up. There are also contact details for sports clubs across the UK.
 
Princes' Trust is a UK charity that helps young people overcome barriers and gives practical support to get their lives working. This includes training, mentoring and financial assistance to help 14-30 year olds realise their potential and transform their lives.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award– practical, cultural and adventurous activities & volunteering for 14-25 year olds.

Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award for young people. This is for 12-18 year olds who work as peer mentors, fundraisers, young carers, school councillors, environmental campaigners, sports leaders or those who simply overcome adversity.

Scoutbase has information, advice and ideas for scouting groups. It also has news and links to scouting magazines.

What's on?

Top

Arts

If you love art, you can check out the organisations on this page. They can give you more information on art projects and art resources.

Deaf and creative could be the website for you if you have nearly finished school or college and wondering what to do next. You can read about education, employment, funding and support. It also has case studies of deaf artists, and a list of job vacancies.

Shape Deaf Arts organise events all over the country for deaf people of all ages. Some are for beginners and some for artists who want to improve their skills. Contact Shape to find out more about their acting, painting, sign-song and creative signing events. Shape also produces a magazine called Deaf arts uk.

Deafinitely Theatre are a London-based deaf theatre group. See their website for information on their productions and their youth and community work.

Deaf-uk-events-social is an announcement list that you can sign up to with details of events happening in the deaf community. It also has information on events accessible for deaf people, like subtitled cinema and interpreted theatre.

The Magic deaf website has listings of interpreted arts events in London for deaf people at museums and galleries.

Stagetext website has information on captioned theatre events, and an A-Z search for places in the UK that have captioned performances.  

Signed performances in theatre (SPIT) website lists performances of mainstream theatre interpreted into BSL. They provide a link between arts organisations and the Deaf community. See their Links page for fab links to arts and media websites.

Youth Arts in Wales is an organisation offering various arts opportunities for young people. Search for events in your area.

For Deaf artists resources, see the RIT website. This has links to books, websites and biographies that might be useful.

Top

Volunteering

There are lots of different reasons for wanting to do a voluntary project. Volunteering is a good way to meet new people and make friends.

Volunteering is also a good way of gaining new skills. It can help to build up your confidence and can improve your chances of getting a job.

Millennium Volunteers is aimed at young people aged 16-24. Millennium Volunteers give their time to help others by doing something they enjoy.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award has details about practical, cultural and adventurous activities and volunteering for 14-25 year olds. 

HIYPE! is a website for deaf and hearing impaired young people who work or are students with information on volunteering.

VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Volunteers aim to pass on their expertise to local people so that when they return home their skills remain. Volunteers are usually aged 20 and over.

Volunteer with the NDCS

Top

Travel and gap years

Knowing more about travel will make getting around easier, and give you more freedom and independence. 

From catching a train to flying around the world, it can be useful to know where to get information, timetables and tips from.
Where do you dream about going?

The Connexions Direct website has information on travel, and tips for disabled travellers which might be useful.

The Need2Know travel webpages have information travelling at home and abroad, including info on learning to drive, passports and visas, planning your trip, travel safety, and language and culture.

If you're looking for travel organisations, projects and websites, see the Student Zone Travel pages.

Top

Glossary Terms