ABOUT OUR GROUP

Brighton, Hove & West Sussex Deaf Children's Society was formed 14 years ago by a group of parents who realised the need for a group in this area. The group has gone from strength to strength and now has over 150+ members - some professional but mostly families.


The committee of eight is run by parents of deaf children who meet every six weeks to discuss the future of the group and to plan events for the children and their families.


Many of the children either attend schools far away from their home and therefore after school contact with their peers is very difficult or are in mainstream schools where they have no contact with other deaf/hearing impaired children. We help support groups such as a Youth Club for deaf children in Crawley and the very successful pre-school groups Springboard in the North and South of the county.


The past year alone some of the events we have organised include trips to Laserhub, Banger Racing, Quad Biking, The Spectrum at Guildford, our AGM at Fishers Farm, Annual Party, Panto trip, Bluebell Railway and a Group holiday, all of which we always pay for the deaf children and subsidise the cost to family members.


We rely entirely on donations and the generosity of people wishing to support us and with their kindness we are able to fulfil our QUEST.

If you would like more information about our group please leave a message on 07717 223362 or email us at bhwsdcsoc@btinternet.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Saturday 19 November 2011

Our First Fundraiser - Asda, Crawley


Our wonderful Choir of Signers and the fantastic Bucket Shakers.   We will announce how much we raised today once it's been counted.   A fantastic effort by all - a big thank you to those that turned up today.    Thanks to Liz, Becki and Gill for leading and Louise for our new QUIET fleeces.   Next date is Saturday 26th November in The Martletts, Burgess Hill.  See you there!

Thursday 13 October 2011

Alton Towers - September 2011

In September a full coach of members visited Alton Towers for the weekend.   Here are some of the photos - if you have more please forward them to us!










Tuesday 26 July 2011

Congratulations to Savannah!

Well what can we say about our very very very wet AGM at Fishers Farm??? How about, it was so good to see so many families!!!!!!! Thank you for all turning up and we hope you had some fun. Kim gave a brief talk about all that the group has achieved this year. Pete told us of the excellent achievements of our 10K runners, raising so much money for the group and a big thanks to Gill for leading another big fund raiser, the Signed Carols/Deaf Awareness Week.

Heather Fletcher, NDCS Family Officer, South East Coastal Region came along to present the Alastair S. MacMillan "You're A Star" award.




Savannah was nominated for the Alastair S. MacMillan "You're A Star" Award, by her lovely Mum - this is what she said:

At school, Savannah put herself forward to be a "Support Student" (something akin to a prefect).  This is a highly coveted position, yet Savannah took the application and interview process very seriously, put in an excellent application form, and was invited for interview (with the Deputy Head, school governor, and Head of House.... very daunting, I imagine).  I prepared her for disappointment, knowing that the competition would be tough, and said that she'd done really well to be invited for interview, and that alone was a huge achievement etc etc.  I need not have worried as Savannah 's star quality shone through  and she wowed them at the interview and was successful in being one of the 20 appointed.  Well done Savannah !









Monday 20 June 2011

Well we might just give ourselves a pat on the back!

Thank you to those of you who completed the questionnaires and sent them back - here are some of the comments members have made:

Fantastic job, keep doing a great job. Thanks.

We think the events are fun, friendly and inclusive.

Think you do a fantastic job!

We enjoy everything the group does and appreciate the effort that goes into it.

I believe the Committee do a fantastic job. I for one appreciate everything you do especially as you are all volunteers and do this in your own time.

'really friendly, active and caring local group - a model for other local groups. Well done on everything you've achieved'

Sunday 19 June 2011

Invitation to the Annual General Meeting at Fishers Farm Park

***INVITATION***

You are invited to our 15th Annual General Meeting
On Sunday 17th July 2011
At Fishers Farm Park, Wisborough Green
11.00am

The Annual General Meeting will start at 11.00am prompt and should last for no longer than half an hour.  After the meeting you will be free to use Fishers Farm and all its facilities for the rest of the day.  Please note that the group will pay for all members who arrive by 10:45am but unfortunately not for those who arrive after that time.

The Agenda for the meeting will be as follows:

Welcome & Introduction of the 2010/2011 Committee
Chair’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Election of Chairperson, Treasurer & Secretary
AOB
Presentation of the You’re A Star Award
Close

We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible as Fishers Farm is always a popular event whatever the weather! 
  

Saturday 21 May 2011

The Wheels on the Bus didn't go round and round but stopped at Northgate School

We had lots of fun at the Listening Bus last Saturday - it is amazing the technology that is available for our children.   The big hit of the day was the blue tooth system for mobile phones (says the adult), but if you ask the children it just had to be the balloon lady!

Sunday 8 May 2011

We're Up and Signing!!!!!!

Two dates down and so far we've raised £500!

Last Tuesday (3rd May) we raised £147 at Brighton Railway Station.   This Saturday we raised £423 at The Martletts, Burgess Hill.    Great news and a great effort, many thanks to those that turned up.

This Thursday (12th) we are at Haywards Heath Railway Station - 6pm til 8pm - and YES!  we still need bucket shakers!!!!!

Also check out our Facebook page - Brighton, Hove & West Sussex Deaf Children's Society - we'll be updating both this Blog and Facebook page with all the latest news.

Wednesday 4 May 2011

Our First Fundraiser - Brighton Railway Station

Hi all, here is our video of our very first signing event at Brighton Railway station last night.   We're don't know how much we raised as we've not had time to count yet.    As you can see there was only a few of us and we had to hold the buckets while we signed - but commuters were very kind and the favourite song that got everyone stopping to watch was Imagine by John Lennon.

This Saturday we're at The Martletts, Burgess Hill - 10am-2pm - please come along and shake a bucket!

Looking forward to seeing you.

Sunday 1 May 2011

Come Sign with Us

This Tuesday - 3rd May - we hold the first of our Modern Signing Sessions at Brighton Railway Station. We desperately need you to boost the ranks as response from members has been very poor - once again, I remind you that this is the only time we ask you to help the group.

Brighton Station
6-8pm
Tuesday 3rd May

Looking forward to seeing you!

Sunday 3 April 2011

Dancing on Ice the QUIET way!



Our most recent event took us to The Spectrum in Guildford.    Some brave budding Torvill & Dean's amongst us took to the ice whilst the more sensible of us took to the coffee bar!    This was followed by family bowling.    A good time had by all - well nearly all....   poor Lisa had to visit A&E on her return and has now a very fetching boot and co-ordinating crutches.   Hope it's not too painful Lisa!

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Skating at the Spectrum this Sunday!

Hi Everyone,


Just a quick note to say that we still have some spaces available on the coach for our trip to the Spectrum www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk this Sunday.   There is a choice of ice-skating or swimming in the morning and then family bowling in the afternoon.


Coach picks up from Brighton (8.45), Burgess Hill (9.00) and Crawley (9.20).


Tickets for the trip cost £10 per adult, £7 per child with deaf children free - this includes your travel, skating/swimming and bowling.   


If you would like to go please phone the group on 07717 223362.


The Committee

Sunday 13 March 2011

Lots of Fun Fun Fun at Funplex!

On the morning of Sunday 6th March, the Group held a 'get together' for its younger members at Funplex (soft play area), Bevendean.  Nine families (14 children) attended the event.  It proved to be very enjoyable and successful - giving the children a chance to burn off some of their boundless energy whilst the parents took the opportunity to have a well deserved coffee and a chat!
Sorry, but we totally forgot about taking photos.

Michelle


Note from ed:  if you took any photos please send us some and we'll put them on our blog!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday 4 March 2011

EVENTS LIST FOR 2011

This is a scanned 'hot off the press' copy of our events for 2011 - you will receive a hard copy for your noticeboards with your membership renewals that will be sent in the next few weeks.

Wednesday 2 March 2011

2010 - it's a wrap

Well 2010 was yet another busy year for our group.    We held not ONE, not TWO, not even THREE but in fact 18 different events.   We've been camping, partying, running, signing, holidaying, lasering, down on the farm and last but not least on the rails with Father Christmas no less!   We hope you've enjoyed 2010 with our group - your group and we look forward to seeing you all in 2011.