Celebrating Deaf Awareness Week

To celebrate Deaf Awareness Week, Isobel hosted a coffee and cake afternoon with her house mates and support staff to teach them some British Sign Language (BSL). 

Isobel has been profoundly deaf since the age of four, and she recently moved into her new home with us in Norfolk just a few weeks ago.

Harvey, Activities Coordinator, said: “A few weeks before Deaf Awareness Week Isobel told staff she would like to celebrate in some way. Myself and Isobel sat down together to think of ways to do this. We settled on a coffee afternoon where we could get the people we support and staff involved. Isobel is a proud advocate of the deaf community and was delighted to get the chance to talk about her personal experiences with everyone.

“It was a great afternoon where Isobel taught us a range of BSL signs and spoke about life growing up. It was lovely to see everyone come together talking about deaf awareness and the importance of giving the people we support a voice. The cake was a hit too!”

Isobel said: “I wanted to talk about my experience because I want more people to be able to communicate with me using BSL. I have been profoundly deaf since the age of 4 and growing up in school it wasn’t something we were able to learn which I found very hard. I wanted to help people understand me and the support I need.

“I enjoyed everything about the day! It was nice for me to feel heard and to share my experiences with staff and residents. I loved all of the cake too! I liked teaching people BSL and my goal is to gain my level 2 someday.”