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:
- understanding your child's hearing
- accessing technology – understanding what is available for deaf children
- learning about services which can help you and your deaf child
- real life experiences - hear the stories of deaf adults
Upcoming dates and locations
Northern Ireland
8 February 2020: 9.30 - 16.45
Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, BT36 5QA
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
[email protected]
London
15 February 2020: 9.30 - 16.45
St Luke's Community Centre, EC1V 8AJ
Contact: Beth Clarke
Tel: 0121 234 9832
[email protected]
Sheffield
7 March 2020: 9.30 - 16.45
Weston Park Museum, S10 2TP
Contact: Stephanie Faboya
Tel: 0121 234 9832
[email protected]
Birmingham
7 March 2020: 9.30 - 16.45
Touchbase Pears, B29 6NA
Contact: Charlotte Price-Ford
Tel: 0121 234 9832
[email protected]
Bournemouth
14 March 2020: 9.30 - 16.45
Village Hotel Bournemouth, BH7 7DZ
Contact: Beth Clarke
Tel: 0121 234 9832
[email protected]
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
Cornwall
14 March 2020: 9.45 – 13.00
Malpas Village Hall, TR1 1SQ
Contact: Marcella Meehan
Tel: 0121 234 9837
[email protected]
Inverness
14 March 2020: 9.45 – 13.00
The Old Ticket Office, IV1 3XN
Contact: Marcella Meehan
Tel: 0121 234 9837
[email protected]
Llanelli Wales
28 March 2020: 9.45 – 13.00
Cross Hands Club, SA14
Contact: [email protected]
Dydd Sadwrn
28 Mawrth 2020: 9.45 – 13.00
Clwb Cross Hands
41 Heol Llandeilo, Cross Hands, Llanelli, SA14
Archebwch eich lle heddiw: Ar-lein ar ein gwefan, neu cysylltwch â [email protected]
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
Middlesbrough
NEW DATE: 18 January 2020: 10.00 - 15.00
Middlesbrough Deaf Centre, TS3 6JB
Contact: Marcella Meehan
Tel: 0121 234 9820
[email protected]
Northampton
8 February 2020: 10.00 - 15.00
Deaf Connect, NN5 7BZ
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
[email protected]
Plymouth
21 March 2020: 10.00 - 15.00
Venue to be confirmed
Contact: Wendy Gallagher
Tel: 028 9332 4010 / 07968 143165
[email protected]
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
There are currently no events scheduled. However, we plan new events regularly. To find out more, please contact [email protected]
Cardiff
Saturday, 21 March 2020: 9.30 - 16.30
Temple of Peace, CF10 3AP
Caerdydd
Dydd Sadwrn, 21 Mawrth 2020
Y Deml Heddwch, CF10 3AP
Archebwch eich lle heddiw:
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
Bedford
8 February 2020: 10.00 - 16.45
King's House Conference Centre, MK42 9AZ
Contact: Charlotte Price-Ford
Tel: 0121 234 9824
[email protected]
Doncaster
28 March 2020: 10.00 - 16.45
Venue tbc
Contact: Stephanie Faboya
Tel: 0121 234 9837
[email protected]
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 5-13. 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.
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.
Childcare
Siblings of deaf children aged 5 plus can attend the FSL session, however children under 5 years of age cannot stay with you during the sessions. If you are unable to arrange childcare in order to attend this event, please contact us. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee crèche facilities at every event.
Upcoming dates and locations
Luton
1 and 2 February 2020: 10.00 - 15.00
Families United Network, Luton, LU3 1RJ
0121 234 9832
[email protected]
*Fully booked*
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.
Upcoming dates and locations
Rochdale
8 February 2020: 13.00 - 16.00
Castlemere Community Centre, OL11 1HH
0121 234 9832
[email protected]
Northampton
14 March 2020: 9.45 - 13.00
The Beehive, NN2 8LR
0121 234 9832
[email protected]
Aberdeen
29 February 2020: 13.00 - 16.00
Crown Terrace Methodist Church, AB11 6HE
0121 234 9832
[email protected]
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 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: [email protected]
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
There are currently no events scheduled. However, we plan new events regularly. To find out more, please contact [email protected]
Is it difficult for you to find the time to attend our face to face events? Do you prefer to get information from the comfort of your own home or your place of work? Is it much easier for you to get information in shorter sessions? Then our Online Information Sessions for parents and carers are for you!
What are these sessions about?
Topics include:
Benefits information
Learning about local services
Sleep
Education
How do online information sessions work?
As long as you have access to a laptop, personal computer or tablet with internet connection, then you will be able to access these sessions. If you don't have access to a computer or tablet at home, many local libraries have computers available to use with free internet access.
The sessions work like a "Webinar". We'll share information with you through a presentation and our expert will talk to you. You can join in with discussions online, and you will have a chance to ask our experts questions. Your questions and chat will all be done through typing rather than video so no cameras or microphones are needed!
You don't need any experience of these type of sessions, we'll send you everything you need to know to be able to join. You can join in as much or as little as you like. Do let us know of you need any communication support to be able to join the session.
Upcoming dates and locations
31 January 2020 - 1pm - 2pm - Learning about services (families in Kent and Sussex)
These sessions are new to the Family programme and we'll be planning lots more events for families across the UK. To find out more, please contact [email protected]