http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leicester/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9397000/9397052.stm
MP Andrew Bridgen’s Speech at the Action Deafness Westminster Reception
North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen’s speech at the Action Deafness Westminster Reception for the launch for AD Technology, AD Communications and AD Employment.
Tuesday 1st February 2011
Portcullis House, Westminster.
Tags: Action Deafness, Andrew Bridgen, Charity, Deafness, Leicester, Portcullis House, Westminster
New Venue for Leicester’s Deaf Community
James Black
Saturday 10th January was an important date for Leicester’s deaf and hard of hearing community as the Deaf Sports & Social Club met for the first time at its new location The Firs on Aylestone Road. The evening saw the largest turnout in quite some time as club members were keen to experience the new surroundings.
A New Year’s Eve Farewell Party marked the end of Leicester Deaf Sports and Social Club’s time at Welford Road which had been the centre of Leicester’s deaf community since 1961. With such a long history the move has been quite an emotional experience for many members of the group.
Long-time member Maggie Smith, spoke about her sadness at having to leave the Welford Road building behind referring to it as her “second home” but went on to say that “Everyone seems quite happy here tonight (at The Firs) and there is a good atmosphere. I think most of us feel that it’s time to move on.”
Stephen Johnson a support worker in attendance said that Saturday was the “busiest night he had seen for a long time. The new venue is well suited to the deaf community with its open plan design people are able to sign to one another from across the room, so communication is easy.”
Craig Crowley CEO of Action Deafness says:
For many years Action Deafness has supported a number of Deaf/Hard of Hearing User Groups and despite having to leave their ‘spiritual home’ at Welford Road we are pleased that we have been able to meet their needs and allow them to continue their vital meeting place by moving into The Firs where its management and staff have been very cooperative and supportive.
Tags: Aylestone Road, Leicester, Leicester Deaf Sports and Social Club, The Firs
HearNow Dance Classes
Sam Newton
By 22, profoundly deaf Nehal Bhogaita has already won numerous awards and accolades for her dancing. Entering prestigious international Bollywood dance competition ‘Boogie-Woogie’ in 2006 and winning the title of UK duet champion with her sister the following year, she has since gone on to win Miss Talent in The Miss Deaf UK competition and won twice at the NCT Star awards in 2008: for Outstanding Dancer and Overcoming Obstacles In Life. Now Nehal is turning her talents to a new ground-breaking dance project in Leicester for the deaf.
Nehal will be leading a new Lottery funded Bollywood dance group with Action Deafness in The New Year. Classes begin on January 12th for both deaf and hard of hearing communities of all abilities and ages across Leicestershire. ‘We can teach lots of different styles: from traditional Bollywood dance or Kathak to hip-hop or even rock!’ beams Nehal.
‘I want deaf people to have the opportunities and confidence to try new things. Most people I know have done some kind of dancing in front of the mirror, so why not come along and do it as part of a group, make friends and have fun?’
Nehal dances by feeling the vibrations of the music through her feet and is determined to prove that deafness need not be an obstacle to dance. She hopes the new group will be able to put on a performance in the near future.
‘I was born profoundly deaf but when I was little I used to sit in front of the television and watch Bollywood films. I’d sit there and think “I would just love to be able to do that”, so I used to copy them.
I never let my disability stop me from reaching where I wish to be. I believe that if you truly have a passion for something, then nothing can hold you back!’
If you’d be interested in learning dance, meeting new people or just trying something different in The New Year or know someone who might be interested contact Action Deafness at hearnow@actiondeafness.org.uk or call 01162533208.
Robin and the Big Freeze
Sam Newton
On Saturday 18th December, Action Deafness’ Parenting held a one-off signed performance of The Peepul Centre’s Christmas play Robin and The Big Freeze. Before the curtains opened there was a special Christmas party for families affected by deafness with food, games and a visit from Santa.
The event was an opportunity to bring families together: whether it be deaf parents with deaf children, hearing parents with deaf children or CODA families (Children Of Deaf Adults). Event organiser, Sally Gallimore explained: ‘It’s a chance for parents to meet up and discuss while kids can enjoy themselves and meet others in a similar situation.
We’ve been playing some communication games between deaf and hearing children. And we’ve also got some games that teach deaf children about hearing culture and vice-versa – so that they can feel they are a part of the wider community. It’s a great opportunity for the brothers and sisters, hearing and deaf, to share an experience.
We really want to bring everyone together and improve communication in the family.’
Sally believes Robin and The Big Freeze is the perfect parable for the day. It tells the story of a hostile Robin who won’t let any of the other animals into his garden but learns the value of friendship as the big freeze comes in. ‘A lot of deaf children and parents can feel isolated and they need friendship to get on in life,’ says Sally, ‘People can be completely different, you can have different values, but there’s always common ground to make friends.’
For information on future AD Parenting events contact: sallygallimore@actiondeafness.org.uk
Tags: Action Deafness Parenting, Christmas Party, Robin and the Big Freeze, Sign Language
A Signy, Shiny New Nativity
Sam Newton
On Wednesday 8th December Leicester Cathedral played host to a very special nativity play. Shining Signing Star is The World’s first nativity play specifically written in English and British Sign Language and was performed to a packed-out crowd by three of the county’s primary schools: Church Hill, Richard Hill and Church Langton. The play contained original music by composer Paul. K Joyce (Bob The Builder’s “Can We Fix It”) and was hosted by children’s TV presenter Dave Benson Phillips.
Writer, Garry Slack, said: ‘Deaf parents who went to see their child’s nativity weren’t really getting the full experience – It didn’t seem fair. Shining Signing Star can be enjoyed by everyone. And what’s been really exciting about this production is the sheer scale of the thing!’
Illuminated within the magnificence of Leicester Cathedral with candles around the pillars, the play was performed by 60 young children aged 4-11 against a twinkling star background, live musical accompaniment and a uniquely singing, signing gospel choir!
‘It’s wonderful,’ said Phillips, ‘it’s one of a kind. As soon as they approached me I knew this was something I had to get involved with.’
Childrens TV Presenter Dave Benson-Phillips
Slack’s retelling of the story saw The Nativity told from the perspective of the stars above Bethlehem and the animals present in the stable. ‘We had a few extra characters,’ explained organiser Charlotte Chapman, ‘Octopuses, crabs, porcupines and hedgehogs that it’s not generally known were at the birth of Baby Jesus!’
The Crab, Archie McCann, age 8, from Church Langton says it’s the best nativity his school have ever done: ‘I really enjoyed the songs and it’s been a challenge to learn the signs.’ But for Neal and Nathan Mistry from Church Hill Juniors the excitement came from being able to perform, for the first time, a signed-play for their deaf parents: ‘They’ve never seen a play in sign-language and it’s good for everyone because deaf people can hear it and so can everyone else.’
Kids Performing at The Shining Signing Star Nativity
The event organised by Action Deafness hoped to raise awareness of deafness in the community and to hopefully encourage children and parents to learn a few signs of their own.
Tags: Action Deafness, Christmas, Dave Benson-Phillips, Leicester Cathedral, Nativity, Sign Language
Shining Signing Star Video
The Shining Signing Star Nativity play took place at Leicester Cathedral on Wednesday 8th December.
The event was organised by Action Deafness Signing Futures Project Co-ordinator Charlotte Chapman. The Shining Signing Star was a traditional nativity play performed using British Sign Language.
Sixty children from Church Hill, Church Langton and Richard Hill Primary Schools took part in the play which was narrated by children’s television presenter Dave Benson-Phillips.
