Events for children and young people
Following government guidance, we have cancelled all our face-to-face events until it’s safe for us to hold them again.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
Our new pen pals initiative aims to support deaf children and young people (ages 8-18) to keep in touch and make new friends. Those who take part will be matched with another young person of a similar age, interests, and communication preferences. As pen pals, they can write letters (or record videos in BSL) to each other, giving them a chance to ask questions and get to know one another.
By taking part, deaf children and young people can:
- create and maintain new friendships
- reduce feelings of isolation and improve mental wellbeing
- develop and build their communication skills.
This is a pilot project that will run for 6 weeks from the 15 May - 26 June 2020.
How it works
Initially, we’ll be running the project remotely through email due to the current COVID-19 situation. However, participants can still write a letter and send it as a photo via email. This way they can still personalise and get creative with their letters!
How to get involved
The project is open for all deaf children and young people aged 8-18. All they need to take part is a parent or carer email address.
For more information, please contact our Youth Development team by emailing [email protected]
Applications have now closed. Please check back soon as we'll be launching a second round of applications.
Our weekend activities are for children and young people aged 8-18 years.
There are different types of weekend events such as:
- Junior (ages 8-13 years)
- Senior (ages 14-18 years)
Our weekend events can range in activities from being outdoors and daring, showing off creative flare through drama and art, as well as developing or learning new skills to help with transition.
Our residential events are great to meet other deaf children and young people, make new friends and grow in confidence!
Upcoming events
CANCELLED Seaside Sleepover, Dorset, 25-26 April 2020
This is a one night event for deaf children and young people aged 8-13, which will give them an opportunity to meet new friends, be away from home and take part in fun outdoor activities - including team games on the beach and bush craft - to help them grow in confidence.
Contact: [email protected]
CANCELLED Mini Peaks Challenge, Yorkshire, 26-28 June 2020
Address: Pinecroft, Ingleton, North Yorkshire, LA6 3DP (subject to change)
A weekend to get to meet other deaf young people, and build friendships whilst taking in the views and the peaks of the Yorkshire Dales. If your child likes being outdoors walking, and wants to challenge themselves on our Mini Peak weekend, then they can apply today!
This event is a two night residential event for deaf children and young people aged 14-18, which will give them an opportunity to meet new friends, be away from home and take part in our very own Mini Peak Challenge (two days of hill walking). During the weekend we want to help them build self-esteem and confidence and meet other deaf young people like themselves.
Contact: [email protected]
Closing date for applications: Friday 9 April 2020
Want to find out more?
If you are 8–15, you can get a parent/carer to contact us on [email protected] or telephone 0121 234 9832
If you are 16–18, you can either get your parent/carer to contact us or contact us yourself.
We have two types of one day events:
- Sports events - these usually involve a range of activities that may include climbing, archery, and multisport games
- Creative events - such as arts and crafts, drama, fashion, music and dance
Upcoming events
CANCELLED Get Creative Day - Glasgow, 28 March 2020
Please note that due to the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this event.
Please get in touch with [email protected] if you have any questions about other events that are being held in Scotland.
CANCELLED One-day youth event - Saturday 9 May 2020
Please note that due to the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this event.
Please get in touch with [email protected] if you have any questions about other events that are being held in Scotland.
Want to find out more about future events?
You can get a parent/carer to contact us on [email protected]
We host residential events for deaf children and young people aged 8–18.
Our weeklong residentials are a great way for children and young people to try new activities and meet other deaf children and young people, make new friends and grow in confidence!
Activities can vary from outward bound activities, STEM and specific programmes such as sports, transition style workshops and music, dance and drama.
Upcoming events
CANCELLED Learn BSL! Residential Summer School, Scotland, 6-10 July 2020
Would your deaf child like to learn British Sign Language? Are they aged 9-18? This week long event could be perfect for them!
Staying away from home for 4 nights, the young people will take part in BSL classes in the mornings then take part in exciting activities in the afternoons and evenings which could include swimming, a movie night and beach games. The young people will have the opportunity to increase confidence, make friends and have fun, while learning BSL!
Contact: [email protected]
CANCELLED Sports Qualification Residential, 27-31 July 2020
Address: TBC, Hertfordshire
This event is still in the planning process, but we can confirm it will be fully accredited and national sports qualification such as Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) or Level 2 Award in Multi Skills Development in Sport.
Due to the nature of this residential, there will be cost to attend.
Contact: [email protected]
CANCELLED Summer Holiday Scotland, 27-31 July 2020
Address: Abernethy Barcaple Outdoor Centre, Ringford, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, DG7 2AP
This exciting 4 night residential event is for deaf children and young people aged 8-18. Young people will have the chance to participate in various outdoor and adventure activities which may include; mountain biking, climbing/abseiling, water-sports, orienteering, bushcraft and team building. They will also have the opportunity to increase their confidence, achieve new things, make friends and have fun!
Contact: [email protected]
CANCELLED Raising The Bar, West Midlands, 26-30 May 2020
Every year we run a big event for young deaf musicians, dancers and actors called Raising the Bar. This is the sixth year, and applications are now open for 8-18 year olds. This is an amazing opportunity for deaf young performers from all over the UK to meet others with incredible talents just like them.
For a chance to attend Raising the Bar, we ask that deaf young people complete an application form and send a short video of themselves performing for two minutes maximum. We will then let them know if they have been successful in gaining a place.
For more information and details of how to apply visit https://www.buzz.org.uk/raisingthebar/
CANCELLED SUP Lakeside Adventure, Chorley, 17-21 August 2020
Address: Anderton Centre, New Road, Chorley, PR6 9HG
Does your child enjoy being on the water? Do they want to meet other deaf children and young people whilst trying new activities like Stand Up Paddleboarding, real rock rock-climbing, challenging and fun ropes activities (tree climbing, crate staking etc) and team games? Then this is the event for them!
A weeklong residential (4 nights away from home) for deaf children and young people aged 8-15, to achieve and learn new skills through a variety of outdoor and water activities, on the Lancashire’s mini Lake District in Rivington!
Contact: [email protected]
CANCELLED Ready Steady Go!, Wales, 24-28 August 2020
Address: Hilston Park, Newcastle, Monmouth, NP25 5NY
An exciting four night residential with a focus on Science and Engineering. Young people will work together to design and build their own box cars, culminating in a grand race day. There will also be opportunities to take part in challenging outdoor land and water based activities. For deaf children and young people aged 8-15.
Contact: [email protected]
Want to find out more?
You can get a parent/carer to contact us on [email protected] or call 0121 234 9832.
Could your school and friends benefit from better deaf awareness?
Would you like to have someone visit your school so you can learn first-hand about the latest technology for you? Want to understand more about your deafness and how to plan for your future?
Our Roadshow team travels all over the UK visiting schools and youth groups in a bus kitted out in the latest technology. Here's what it looks like:
Our Roadshow team have visited lots of schools to share deaf awareness information, equipment such as vibrating alarm clocks, Bluetooth neckloops to use with your phone and tablets - and lots more. Sometimes they even bring special guest along.
Want the Roadshow Bus to visit your school? Send us an email and let us know.
What's fundraising?
Have you been to one of our events? Borrowed some cool technology from us? Got some helpful information and support from us?
We want other deaf young people to be able to do all these things - and more too. We can only do this if we raise enough money. There are so many ways to fundraise for us and have a great time too.
How about teaching your friends to be more deaf aware or doing a fun run in fancy dress? You could organise a signed song performance or hold a sponsored silence.
Or you can come up with your own ideas: just think about your favourite hobbies and activities. There are lots of ways for you, your friends, or family to do something different and help raise money for the National Deaf Children's Society.
Need some ideas? Here are some suggestions…
Remember, we can give you tips and support you with your fundraising. We can help you with ideas to plan your activity and where best to do your fundraising - at home, school or in your local community.
Are you aged 16+?
Sign up to become a young member - it’s free and you can get lots of information and support. By joining you’ll get:
- a free online Families magazine, full of amazing deaf young people like you sharing their stories, reviews and tech
- opportunities to meet other deaf young people and learn new skills at our events
- information you can download or order to support you
- a monthly email with lots of tips, real-life stories, information about getting involved in our campaigns and loads more
- access to our Technology Test Drive Loan Service so you can borrow some of the latest technology for free to check out if it works for you
- free support from our Helpline and support staff who can give you the advice you need at the right time and in the right way so you can make decisions
- your views shared to campaign for change - we’ll help make sure that your views are shared when we campaign about big things that matter to you and during really important times of your life: get involved and share what matters most to you.
Do you want to sign up? Click here to register as a young member. It’s completely free!
Have questions or need any help? You can email [email protected] or [email protected].
Our residential youth activity is regulated under Ofsted (England) and the Care Inspectorate (Scotland). We adopt the highest expectations from both boards across the UK for all of our events.
We are pleased to report that at our last inspections we received the rating of 'good' from Ofsted (March 2019) and 'very good' from the Care Inspectorate (November 2017).
Please see below for our latest Inspection reports.
If you have any questions regarding our inspections, please email [email protected]
Have a question about our events?
We've put together frequently asked questions about our events: