SIGN CLASSES

Parents and family members BSL Support Group has stopped temporarily and a 10 week Family Sign Course starting in September 2010 will run instead on Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at the Family Centre (Deaf Children) room, Elmfield School during term time. The tutor will be Gemma Smith.

A pre-Level 3 British Sign Language class for parents of deaf children will begin again in September 2010, also at Elmfield School. The class runs on Mondays from 1.30pm – 3pm during term time with tutor Richard Carter.

Emersons Green Grandparents and Relatives Sign Class is continuing to run on Monday evenings from 6.30pm – 8pm with tutor Ray Hampshire at Emersons Green Village Hall. This very popular class is currently full, but anyone interested in joining the group can be put on a waiting list. 

We would like to thank South Gloucestershire County Council for funding the Emersons Green sign class.

For further information on any of these classes, or to book a place, please contact Gemma at the FCDC office.

ROZ FLIES TO THE FINISH!

 Roz Glover, who is the Family Centre's Management Committee secretary and the parent of a deaf child, raised well over £500 in sponsorship when she took part in the Bristol 10k Run on Sunday 9th May 2010. Despite an ankle injury incurred only days before the event, plucky Roz ran dressed as a parrot after setting up her own Just Giving page and promising to don fancy dress if more than £300 was donated to the Family Centre (Deaf Children).

To view Roz in action, or make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Roz-Glover

Sports Fun at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre

On Sunday 16th May 2010, 26 children met up at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre, Bristol where they had lots of fun trying out trampolining, table tennis, go karts, and bouncy castle followed by an hour long session in the soft play room.

Volunteers were on hand to supervise the children so that their parents could have the opportunity to chat with other families.

This popular event is likely to take place again next year so watch this space for details!

PLAYSPACE

On 14th April 2010, there was 15 children went to Playspace.

It was Gemma's first time at playspace and everyone really enjoyed it.  It was lovely to see the kids running around, climbing and laughing!  Some of the parents had a coffee and chatted while the others kept an eye on the children!  Unfortunately there was not enough volunteers to watch the kids and hopefully we can recruit more!

TREASURE HUNT AT OLDBURY COURT/VASSELS PARK/SNUFF MILLS

On 14th April 2010 there were a treaure hunt at Oldbury Court/Vassels Park/Snuff Mills.

This event went really well and there was 6 children with their families.  We had enough for 4 teams and we had 5 volunteers too!  I mixed the families up so children weren't with their parents!

The 4 teams found the treasure hunt quite fun, energetic and educational too.  Overall the teams picked p 5 bags of rubbish and helped keep the park litter-free! I was a bit worried if the treasure hunt was too long for some people (mothers with buggy/grandparents) but they all said it was fine and they all enjoyed themselves.  The top two teams drew with each other, so there was no champions!

Afterwards we all sat down to have lunch then the kids went off to play in this amazing new playgound at Oldbury Court and the parents chatted with us and Jean came by to see everyone!

This went really well, and definately will happen again so dont miss the next one!

Thanks fo all of our volunteers who worked hard by walking lots for the set up and the treasure hunt as well as tidying up!

KIDS SIGN CLASS AT ST. WERBURGHS CITY FARM

On 13th April 2010 at St. Werburghs City Farm, Family Centre (Deaf Children) did signing class for children which was taught by Gemma Smith.

There were 8 children who came.  It was lovely day, we walked around the farm learning the signs of all the animals and one of the kids had an allotment by the farm so we went to see it and talked about the different plants/food and saw tadpoles!!

When we finished the farm, we went to play at the cafe park while the parents had a chat and the kids was showing them what they learnt.

We covered animals, colours, objects as well as pointing, directional gestures and emotions too.

We had interest from other parents wanting their children to be involved in the sign classes!

TASTER SPORTS DAY

The Family Centre (Deaf Children) will be arranging "taster" sports sessions with BSL Interpreters present in the following activities:

          Archery - Cost - likely to be around £7. Venue - Keynsham. Age - 8 - 18 years

          Fencing - Cost - to be advised. Venue - Patchway area, Bristol. Age - 8 - 18 years.  

          Parents must be present for 9 years old and under.

To register your child's interest, please contact the Family Centre office.

Facebook Group

We would like to let you know that Family Centre (Deaf Children) had created a page on Facebook.  If you havent added yourself, please do.  Keep an eye on there for any updates, you can put any ideas on the wall of the group, we will have a look at them.

Please make sure that no children under the age of 14 are on the page as the facebook rules are clear that no children must have their profile on the facebook unless they are over the age of 13.

If you are not sure how to search for the group, just go to the top right corner where it says search and type in the words - Family Centre (Deaf Children) and the group should come up.

Or use this link - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/group.php?gid=12151060407&ref=ts

FREE PLAY SESSIONS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

Free play sessions for disabled children aged 5 - 13 years of age are being offered at Bristol adventure playgrounds on weekends during term time and Monday to Friday during school holidays by Lets All Play, a new service for disabled children and their families.  During the sessions there will be the opportunity for parents to take a short break while their child is looked after by the experienced inclusion team, including playworkers provided by Bristol Playbus.

The sessions will offer a range of activities including arts and craft, cooking, music and the challenge of exploring the adventure playground.  There is no need to book, however you may wish to contact the playworkers in advance to discuss your child's additional support needs.

For a timeable or further information please contact Sam at the Playbus office.

Tel: 0117 955 1561

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit websites www.bristolplaybus.org or www.goplacestoplay.org

BRISTOL HIPPODROME

Sign Language Interpreted Performances

The Sound of Music

Thursday 18th November at 7.30pm

Tickets: £27 each  

Interpreter: Sarah Ainsworth

Dick Whittington

Thursday 16th December at 7pm

Tickets: £19 each

Interpreter: Tony Evans

FAMILY FUND

The Family Fund gives grants which relate to the additional needs of a disabled child for costs such as the following:
Washing machine

• Driving lessons
• Computers
• Family holidays
• Hospital visiting costs
• Trampolines
• Specialist toys

Eligibility criteria

If you live in England, you can apply if you can say YES to all the following:

• You are the parent or carer of a severely disabled child aged 16 or under
• Your household's earned income before tax, excluding overtime, is less  than £23,000 per year  OR your income is entirely from benefits
• You have less than £18,000 in savings
• You have permanent residency in the UK and have lived in the UK for 6 months

For further information please visit www.familyfund.org.uk or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FILM FRUSTRATION

Here is a report from a parent, Sharon Grieve, which outlines a common problem deaf children and adults face.

Years of frustration finally prompted me to contact Radio 4 regarding the difficulties accessing subtitled films for children, in particular my 10 year old daughter Florence. We had once again wanted to see a new film – Fantastic Mr Fox – it wasn’t on in half term and then was scheduled to be shown at 2.30 pm on a school day! I emailed the cinema, asking why a children’s film is being shown when every child over the age of 5 is at school? Their reply stated that if the film is not scheduled then it isn’t being shown but it was.... just at a time when deaf children couldn’t go!

We have experienced similar problems over the years, either the film isn’t shown at all as with the new 3D films it seems, or it is shown at an inappropriate time (on one occasion a children’s film was scheduled at 9.30pm!) Often the film starts but the subtitles do not and we miss the first 15 minutes trying to find a manager to arrange for them to be switched on.

I am sure we cannot be the only family to experience these problems at various cinemas in the area. It may be that they are under the impression that installing a loop is adequate, but this is certainly not effective for all deaf children and adults. All we want, as a film loving family, is for Florence to have the same opportunities to see films as her hearing friends. Ideally, more than one subtitled viewing to give us all some choice, and at a reasonable time for the target audience.

Let’s hope they were listening and we can all access more films in the future!

STATEMENTING WORRIES?

If you would like some support and advice from parents who have been through the statementing process with Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, please contact the Family Centre and we will pass your details on.

FREE OFF-PEAK BUS TRAVEL

Severely or profoundly deaf children are eligible for free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. Also, companions who travel with deaf children get on free but they have to be adults or children aged 11 years upwards. Deaf children who live in Bristol can travel free in Bristol, South Glos, North Somerset and BANES between 9am to 4am from Mondays to Fridays and any time during weekends and Bank holidays. An application form for a travel card can be downloaded from www.bristol.gov.uk/buspass After sending the completed form off, there will be about 6 to 8 weeks wait before you get a travel card.

Parents of Deaf children who live in South Glos, North Somerset and BANES should download the application form from their local council website.

BSL SIGNED EVENTS – LONDON SCIENCE MUSEUM

The London Science Museum recognises the importance of families learning together and is now offering two BSL signed events on the first Saturday of every month for the Deaf and hard of hearing and their families and friends. These events are free and do not require booking

For further information please visit the website:
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/bsl

MARTIN BEECH BURSARY FUND

Are you aged between 11 and 25 years, and deaf or hard of hearing? Would you like to do something exciting or different, maybe outdoor activities, learning a new sport, making a film, or doing some extra special voluntary work (maybe even abroad?) The Martin Beech Bursary Fund was set up to offer help with anything which will help you build up your experience. For further information, contact South Gloucestershire Deaf Association on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to their website on: www.sgda.co.uk.

Little Hands Toddler Group

This Deaf-friendly toddler group runs every Tuesday afternoon during term-time, from 1 – 3pm at Hop, Skip and Jump Centre, Grimsbury Road, Kingswood, Bristol. The cost is £1.50 per session, which includes use of the soft play, sensory rooms, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor play areas. Hearing parents with Deaf children and siblings, and Deaf parents with children, are all welcome (Signers and non-signers – any level of hearing loss). For further information, contact Louise Jones tel Save 0117 908 7885 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .