Events for children and young people
Hold a fundraising cake sale, attend our Roadshow or one of our events: find out about all the opportunities we offer.
We have a range of exciting events available - from one day events to week-long summer residentials. We offer water activities, climbing, sports, arts and crafts, dance, drama, music and lots more.
You will:
- Achieve and learn something new
- Improve your communication
- Gain in confidence
- Make new friends
- Make choices and decisions
Have a question about our events?
We've put together frequently asked questions about our events:
- View our frequently asked questions from parents
- View our frequently asked questions from young people
If you have any other questions, please e-mail events@ndcs.org.uk
Our weekend activities are for children and young people aged 11–18.
There are different types of weekend events such as:
- Get Creative 11–15: usually involving, music, drama, dance, indoor or outdoor arts & crafts
- Multi-Activity 11–15: usually a mix of outdoor adventure activities, possibly sports and creative activates
- Alternative Weekend 14–18 usually involving something out of the usual such as camping, alternative sports, and learning about future opportunities.
Upcoming events
Super Sports Weekend – Largs, Scotland, 18-20 October 2019
Address: National Sports Training Centre, Largs, Scotland, KA30 8RW
An exciting event for deaf young people aged 8–13. The young people can try out lots of sports while making friends and building confidence. Our friendly team will help ensure the young people are safe, happy and achieving.
Contact: siobhan.murray@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 2 August 2019
Winter Weekend – Nethybridge, Scotland, 7–9 February 2020
Address: Abernethy Nethybridge, near Aviemore, PH25 3ED
An exciting event for deaf young people aged 14–18. It's a weekend full of exciting activities including skiing and swimming. Our friendly team will help ensure the young people are safe, happy and achieving.
Contact: siobhan.murray@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 22 November 2019
Want to find out more?
If you are 8–15, you can get a parent/carer to contact us on events@ndcs.org.uk 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
Deaf Friendly Watersports & Cycling – Lochwinnoch, 3 August 2019, 11am.
Castle Semple Country Park, Lochwinnoch. PA12 4EA
In partnership with Scottish Disability Sport we are holding a Deaf Friendly Swimming, Come Try Day for watersports and cycling! Deaf young people 10yrs and above have the chance to try: canoeing, sailing, kayaking, power boating, bell boating & cycling.
Come and experience different sports in a safe, fun and supportive environment with help from fully qualified deaf-aware instructors.
Communication support will be provided and siblings are welcome.
For an application form contact: Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer: swimming@ndcs.org.uk or 0141 354 7860
Deaf Friendly Surfing – Sandend, 24 August 2019, 2pm.
Suds Surf School, Sandend, Banff AB45 2UB
We are holding a Deaf Friendly Swimming, Come Try Day for surfing! Deaf young people aged 8 yrs and above have the chance to try surfing in a safe, fun and supportive environment with help from fully qualified deaf-aware instructors.
Communication support will be provided and siblings are welcome.
This event is NOT suitable for non-swimmers. Young people need to be water confident and MUST be able to swim 25m to take part in this session.
For an application form contact: Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer: swimming@ndcs.org.uk or 0141 354 7860
Want to find out more about future events?
You can get a parent/carer to contact us on ndcsscotland@ndcs.org.uk
We host residential events for deaf children and young people aged 8–18.
Upcoming events
Summer Holiday Scotland – Lochgoilhead, 22–26 July 2019
Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, Lochgoilhead, PA24 8AE
This exciting event is for deaf young people aged 8–18. The young people will get to make some new friends, build confidence and try some exciting activities. Activities may include climbing, canoeing and gorge walking. Our friendly team of staff will look after them and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: siobhan.murray@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 3 May 2019
Summer Adventure and Explore Wales – Powys, 29 July–2 August 2019
Address: Tyr Abad Outdoor Education Centre, Tirabad Mansion, Llangammarch Wells, Powys, Wales, LD4 4DS
This exciting event is for deaf young people aged 8–15. The young people will get to make some new friends, build confidence and try some exciting activities. Activities may include caving, climbing, team building and gorge walking. Our friendly team of staff will look after them and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: nicola.partridge@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 24 May 2019
South Downs Summer Adventure – East Sussex, 5–9 August 2019
Address: YHA South Downs, Itford Farm, Beddingham, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6JS
This exciting event is for deaf young people aged 8–15. The young people will get to make some new friends, build confidence and try some exciting activities. Activities may include climbing, ropes course and canoeing. Our friendly team of staff will look after them and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: joanna.wanmer@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 31 May 2019
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) Lakeside Adventure – Chorley, 12–16 August 2019
Address: The Anderton Centre, New Road, Anderton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 9HG
This exciting event is for deaf young people aged 8–15. The young people will get to make some new friends, build confidence and try some exciting activities. Activities may include stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, climbing and abseiling. Our friendly team of staff will look after them and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: sally.mcnamara@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 7 June 2019
Summer Outdoor Adventure in Devon – Okehampton, 19–23 August 2019
Address: YHA Bracken Tor, Saxon Gate, Okehampton, EX20 1QW
This exciting event is for deaf young people aged 8–15. The young people will get to make some new friends, build confidence and try some exciting activities. Activities may include high ropes, mountain boarding, bush craft, gorge walk, climbing, kayaking, canoeing and raft building. Our friendly team of staff will look after them and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: nicola.partridge@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 24 May 2019
Journey to Independence – West Midlands
**NEW DATE** 28 October-1 November 2019
Address: Bell Heath Outdoor Elements, Quantry Lane, Belbroughton, Worcestershire, DY9 9UU
This exciting event is for deaf young people aged 14–18. The young people will get to make some new friends, build confidence with a week involving a mix of transition type sessions to help young people become more independent, such as first aid and cooking along with some outdoor activities. Our friendly team of staff will look after them and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: sally.mcnamara@ndcs.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 9 August 2019
Want to find out more?
You can get a parent/carer to contact us on events@ndcs.org.uk or call 0121 234 9832.
First time away weekends are for children aged 8–12.
They are lots of fun and include water activities, climbing, playing sports, doing arts and crafts, dance, drama, music and lots more.
Upcoming events
Big Scottish Sleepover – near Killin, 1–2 June 2019
Abernethy Ardeonaig, near Killin, FK21 8SY
This amazing weekend is for children aged 8–12 years. It's particularly great for children who have never stayed away from home with us before. The young people will get to make some new friends and try some exciting activities. Our friendly team of staff will look after them, and help support them to have a great experience.
Contact: siobhan.murray@ndcs.org.uk
The closing date for this event has been extended but please apply now to avoid disappointment!
Want to find out more?
You can get a parent/carer to contact us on events@ndcs.org.uk or telephone 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 cyp@ndcs.org.uk or membership@ndcs.org.uk.
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 events@ndcs.org.uk.