Events for parents, carers and families
The Family programme is here to bring families together and provide you with information and support in your child’s early years, and when your child is first identified as being deaf or having a hearing loss.
We have a range of information days which will help give you the knowledge and guidance that you may need to help support your child, as well as giving you an opportunity to meet other families in a similar position. This may be around the time your child is identified as deaf, or in preparation for starting school. There’s also an opportunity to learn about your child’s rights, which will be a help throughout their childhood.
Join us at our brand new event in London on Saturday 1 February 2020 for parents and carers to learn more about supporting your child’s emotional health and wellbeing. This free event will cover topics such as:
- Reasons why deaf children and young people are more likely to experience mental health issues
- Practical advice to encourage good emotional health among deaf children
- Real life stories and experiences from other families and deaf young people.
For some families, when they are told their child is deaf the news can come as a great shock. Some parents may be upset by the news, others will be relieved that their suspicions have finally been confirmed. Many families may have no prior experience of deafness, and be keen to seek information and support as early as possible.
At all of our events, parents and family members will have the chance to meet and talk to other parents about their experiences.
Attending local events is a great opportunity to develop connections with families in your area and ensures that the information you’ll take away will be relevant to your child.
What is this event about?
Topics covered include:
- supporting your child’s developing communication
- understanding audiology
- accessing technology – understanding what is available for deaf children
Upcoming dates and locations
Scotland, 9 and 10 November 2019: 10.00am–4.00pm
Stirling Court Hotel
Contact: Megan Lindsay
Tel: 0141 354 7841
megan.lindsay@ndcs.org.uk
Manchester, 9 and 10 November 2019: 10.00am–4.00pm
UTC@MediaCityUK, Salford
The second day of this event is only suitable for parents with deaf children aged 0-2 years.
Contact: Beth Clarke
Tel: 0121 234 9823
beth.clarke@ndcs.org.uk
Northern Ireland, 8 February 2020, 09.30 - 16.45
Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk
Sheffield, 7 March 2020, 09.30 - 16.45pm
Weston Park Museum, Sheffield
Contact: Stephanie Faboya
Tel: 0121 234 9839
stephanie.faboya@ndcs.org.uk
Does your child have a hearing loss? Does parenting sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge?
Is your deaf child aged 0-16 years?
Sometimes as parents of children with a hearing loss we can often get bogged down in the day to day aspects of being a parent - medical appointments, work, school runs and meetings, family life. Sometimes we forget about ourselves. Feeling Good will help us recognise some of the challenges of being a parent to a deaf child, and by meeting other parents help us remember to look after ourselves too. We're here to give you information and support when you need it most.
At this event parents and carers will have the chance to meet and talk to others about their experiences.
Attending local events is a great opportunity to develop connections with families in your area and build that great local support.
What is this event about?
Topics covered include:
- hear about other experiences of parenting a deaf child
- focus on the positive aspects of being a parent or carer
- feeling confident about parenting
- remembering to think about ourselves too
Upcoming dates and locations
London, 23 November 9.45am– 1.00pm
National Deaf Children's Society office, 37-45 Paul Street, London EC2A 4LS
Contact:
Tel: 0121 234 9839
stephanie.faboya@ndcs.org.uk
Wrexham, 30 November 1.00pm– 4.00pm
Tesco Community Room, Tesco Wrexham, Crescent Road, LL13 8HF
Contact:
Tel: 0121 234 9832
beth.clarke@ndcs.org.uk
Teimlo’n Dda
A oes colled ar glyw eich plentyn? A ydy rhianta yn teimlo fel her weithiau?
A ydy’ch plentyn byddar rhwng 0-16 oed?
Weithiau fel rhieni plant sydd â cholled clyw mae’n bosib cael eich llethu ag agweddau dydd i ddydd o fod yn rhiant – apwyntiadau meddygol, gwaith, mynd â’r plant i’r ysgol a chyfarfodydd, bywyd teuluol. Weithiau rydyn ni’n anghofio amdanom ni’n hunain. Mi fydd Teimlo’n Dda yn ein helpu ni gydnabod rhai o’r heriau o fod yn rhiant i blentyn byddar, a thrwy gwrdd â rhieni eraill i’n helpu ni gofio gofalu amdanom ni’n hunain hefyd. Rydyn ni yma i ddarparu gwybodaeth a chefnogaeth i chi pan fo arnoch eu hangen fwyaf.
Yn y digwyddiad hwn, caiff rhieni a gofalwyr y cyfle i gwrdd a siarad am eu profiadau.
Mae mynychu digwyddiadau lleol yn gyfle gwych i ddatblygu cysylltiadau gyda theuluoedd yn eich ardal ac i adeiladu’r gefnogaeth leol ardderchog hynny.
Beth yw pwrpas y digwyddiad?
Mi fydd y pynciau yn cynnwys:
- clywed am brofiadau eraill o rianta plentyn byddar
- canolbwyntio ar agweddau cadarnhaol o fod yn rhiant neu ofalwr
- teimlo’n hyderus am rianta
- cofio i feddwl amdanom ni’n hunain hefyd
Dyddiadau a lleoliadau
Wrecsam, 30 Tachwedd 9.45am– 1.00pm
Ystafell Gymunedol Tesco, Tesco Wrecsam, Ffordd Cilgant, LL13 8HF
Cyswllt:
Ffôn: 0121 234 9832
beth.clarke@ndcs.org.uk
Archebwch nawr – cysylltwch â ni i ofyn am fersiwn Cymraeg o’r ffurflen archebu.
This event is an opportunity for parents to find out about their child’s rights. It will help you to find positive ways to get the right support from health, education and other services and get the best support for your child.
At all of our events, parents and family members will have the chance to meet and talk to other parents about their experiences.
What is this event about?
The expert parent programme was originally funded by the Department of Health. It was designed to help parents and carers of deaf and disabled children and young people navigate and better understand health and other systems, and how they might work to improve outcomes for their child.
The workshop has now been adapted on behalf of the National Deaf Children’s Society to focus on health and other services, like education and social care that support deaf children. It’s also a great chance to meet other parents and share ideas.
Upcoming dates and locations
Preston, 23 November 2019: 10am–3pm
Royal Cross Primary School , Elswick Road, Ashton, Preston, PR2 1NT
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk
Middlesbrough, 30 November 2019: 10am–3pm
Middlesbrough Deaf Centre, North Ormesby Resource Centre, Derwent Street, Middlesbrough, TS3 6JB
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk
Northampton, 8 February 2020: 10am–3pm
Venue to be confirmed
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk
Plymouth, 21 March 2020: 10am–3pm
Venue to be confirmed
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk
This event is an opportunity for parents and carers with deaf children who are pre-school age (2-4) to learn more about supporting your child at school and within the home with their communication, to learn about what technology is available and to share tips and experiences with other families of deaf children.
At all of our events, parents and family members will have the chance to meet and talk to other parents about their experiences.
What is this event about?
Topics covered include:
- you and your deaf child – sharing experiences with other families
- language for learning and play – ideas to support your deaf child’s communication – a practical and interactive session addressing areas around communication and early learning
- technology – this session provides the opportunity to discuss and view equipment that may help your child
Please note: in England, Wales and Northern Ireland these run as one day events, but in Scotland we run this as part of a two-day event with our Getting Your Child Ready for School – Education, Rights and Responsibilities Day.
Upcoming dates and locations
Northern Ireland, 12 October 2019: 10am–4.40pm
Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Fountain Road, Cookstown, BT80 8QF
NDCS Roadshow will be featuring at this event and will also be available for drop ins after 2pm.
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk
Gloucester, 12 October 2019: 10am–4.40pm
Gloucester Academy, Painswick Road, Gloucester, GL4 6RN
Please note this event is for families with a deaf child under 5
Tel: 0121 234 9832
marcella.meehan@ndcs.org.uk
Preparing your child for school can be a challenging task for any family. This event is an opportunity for parents and carers with deaf children who are pre-school age (2-4) to learn about supporting your child at school and enforcing your child’s rights – and to share tips and experiences with other families of deaf children.
At all of our events, parents and family members will have the chance to meet and talk to other parents about their experiences.
What is this event about?
Topics covered include:
- finding the right school
- ensuring equality and inclusion
- learning about local services.
Please note: in England, Wales and Northern Ireland these run as one day events, but in Scotland we run this as part of a two-day event with our Getting Your Child Ready for School – Communication and Technology Day.
Upcoming dates and locations
Cardiff, date to be arranged: 10am–4.40pm
Venue to be confirmed
You can book now and we will contact you as soon as the date and venue is confirmed
Tel: 0121 234 9839
stephanie.faboya@ndcs.org.uk
What is Family Sign Language?
With the right support and encouragement, deaf children can learn to communicate as effectively as other children. There are many different ways of communicating with your deaf child and by attending a Family Sign Language (FSL) course you can learn about the different communication styles that may suit your family.
This interactive and fun course is for families with deaf children aged 0–5. Courses are delivered through different formats including a weekend, group sessions over a number of weeks or a one-to-one session with one of our Family Sign Language tutors.
Unlike the traditional Level 1 British Sign Language (BSL) curriculum, which is based around signs appropriate for adult life and interactions, the Family Sign Language curriculum includes the BSL signs needed for family life - including the telling of nursery rhymes, stories and playing games. It is taught over 20 hours.
Want to find out more?
Some local authorities offer Family Sign Language courses that are delivered in the home or in groups. Find out if your local authority offers any courses by looking at the Local Offer or contacting your child’s Teacher of the Deaf.
What is covered on the course?
There are many different areas of signs covered on the course which include: family members, food, play time, out and about, communicating with others and things we do every day.
Can’t attend a course but would like to find out more?
We have a number of information resources and video clips supporting families in learning Family Sign Language, including:
- a dictionary of common signs and phrases
- communication tips and advice
- real life families showing how to use BSL in everyday activities
- suggested activities and games to use at home
- storytelling advice and practical tips
- lots of useful information on BSL and childhood deafness.
Have a look at our information and support pages.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how to parent your deaf child, you’re not alone. Most parents have no previous experience of childhood deafness.
Parenting is about how we raise a child and in particular provide care, love and guidance. Parenting a deaf child can be both similar and different to parenting any other child. Where there are differences, there can also be challenges.
Hearing stories from other parents with deaf children can be useful but attending a course can also be helpful and valuable in giving you tips and strategies to encourage positive behaviours and a happy family life.
What is this course?
The Raising a Deaf Child course is an interactive and fun course for families with deaf children. The course provides information around supporting your deaf child within and outside of the home. Topics that are covered include: communicating with your deaf child, dealing with emotions, managing challenging behaviours, managing frustration, praise and engaging with wider family members.
Want to find out more?
Some local authorities offer parenting courses that are delivered in groups. Find out if your local authority offers any courses through accessing their local offer page.
Can’t attend a course but would like to find out more?
We have a number of information resources which share useful tips and resources which you can use with your deaf child.
Have a look at our information and support pages.
When your child is deaf there are all sorts of things you wish you could easily access information about, and have a chance to ask questions about your child's needs. These half day Family Information Sessions are on a wide range of topics and an opportunity to come together with other parents and carers, learn something new and share experiences with other families of deaf children. We'll have experts on hand to share information with you and answer your questions.
What is this event all about?
The range of information sessions include:
- Learning about services
- Deaf awareness in the family
- Learning about benefits
- Taster sessions of our Raising a Deaf Child parenting course
Feeling Good is another half day workshop we have and details can be found in another section of this page.
Upcoming dates and locations
Please let us know if you and other families in your area would like one of our Family Information Sessions in your area by getting in touch with our events team at: events@ndcs.org.uk
Wrexham - Learning about services (0 - 12 years)
30 November 9.30am – 12.30pm
Tesco Community Room, Tesco Wrexham, Crescent Road, LL13 8HF
Contact:
Tel: 0121 234 9832
or email: beth.clarke@ndcs.org.uk
Wrecsam – Dysgu am Wasanaethau (0 i 12 oed)
30 Tachwedd 9:30am – 12:30pm
Ystafell Gymunedol Tesco, Tesco Wrecsam, Ffordd Cilgant, LL13 8HF
Cyswllt:
Ffôn: 0121 234 9832
neu e-bost: beth.clarke@ndcs.org.uk
Would you like to become more involved in helping local services? You may already be part of a Children's Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG) or parent forum.
What is this event about?
Topics include:
How you can have a say in developing local services for deaf children.
Being an effective and confident parent representative.
Representing yourself and others.
Strengthening relationships with professionals.
Sharing experiences and building peer support.
Upcoming dates and locations
Chelmsford, 9 November 2019: 9.30am–12.30pm
Chelmsford CVS, Coval Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1FW
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
wendy.gallagher@ndcs.org.uk