Following recent developments regarding Covid19 and discussions with the venue and the band we have decided to postpone the forthcoming charity ceilidh in aid of the SDCS.

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We hope to re-arrange the event for the autumn and further information regarding the new date will be e-mailed out in due course.

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Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in attending. If you bought tickets through Downes, they will refund the money if you return the tickets.

SDCS

In 2018 three charities were chosen by RAF Shawbury’s Station Charities, which included Shropshire Deaf Children’s Society due to the fact that some of the children on station at RAF Cosford have received support from the SDCS. 

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The charity was put forward to the RAF Shawbury Charities Committee by Major Dan McBride (CFS(H)Sqn) as it had played a significant part in supporting his deaf daughter through her formative years. RAF Shawbury presented Ian Barrett (Chair) with a cheque for over £3000, which will make a considerable difference to the support SDCS can offer locally. Our thanks to all involved. 

SDCS

The National Deaf Children’s Society has advertised for young people aged between 13 and 16 to apply to represent young people with a hearing impairment on their Youth Advisory Board. The Sensory Inclusion Service is hopeful that three young people who they support - all with severe to profound deafness - plan to apply. We know that at least one has applied and has an interview soon in London or Birmingham - good luck!

The charity is keen to encourage applications from as diverse a group as possible and we feel that this is a wonderful opportunity for young people from every background to have their voice heard. 

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Such opportunities enable young people to speak for themselves and to develop their confidence and skills. Fingers crossed for them! If any other young people are interested in getting involved with similar activities, look at the NDCS website for volunteering opportunities. 

SDCS

In an emergency situation you need help fast. Action For Deafness text service lets deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired people in the UK alert police, ambulance, fire or coastguard services by either calling via a relay assistant or texting a message to 999 using their emergency SMS service.

For more information on how to register please go to their website: 

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https://actionfordeafness.org.uk/pages/emergency-services 

SDCS

Isabel received the Modern Language GCSE award for getting grade 7 in Spanish this year. Having a genetic hearing loss in both ears that impact her ability to hear low frequency sound she was praised for her work ethic and enthusiasm, overcoming difficulties specifically in the spoken section of the exam. HLC was really enthusiastic in helping Isabel to succeed in what she personally found to be a challenging and difficult subject. 

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Isabel was delighted to receive the reward (especially considering she felt Spanish was one of her weakest subjects) but feels that the award was meant to reflect the obstacles she had overcome through hard work and perseverance. Isobel was presented with the award by Mr Roberts, Head Teacher at HLC 

SDCS

On 6th October, Daniel Crate took part in an event at the Cavalier Centre in Much Wenlock to celebrate 50 years of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Daniel took part in a number of challenges on horseback, including an obstacle course, posting a letter and crossing a road. He was assisted by his Teaching Assistant, Steph Grant, and had a wonderful day. Well done, Dan! 

SDCS

Excited to be one of seven co-inquirers of READY Study team, where I will be interviewing & chatting with young deaf adults between 16 to 23 years old.

Following a group of individuals through a very interesting phase of their life as a deaf person is really valuable. From this research, we can help shape the future for deaf people and influence the decision making.

We all have a different story to tell…what’s yours? It would be great if you could join us and be part of something that can inspire others! 

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Eve Lister 

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If you wish to take part or want to find more, go onto our website!

- www.manchester.ac.uk/thereadystudy

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Please share with anyone you think would be interested in joining this project!

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Click here to view The Ready Project Poster

SDCS

The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a scheme set up by the government to encourage young people aged between 16 and 17 to make a positive contribution to society. The scheme helps participants to build work and life skills, take on new challenges and meet new friends. It runs during the summer months at the end of the GCSE exams. As part of the scheme participants develop a social action project to deal with a local issue that they are passionate about. 

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One group of NCS volunteers based in Wellington decided that their project would be to help the SDCS. During August I received a phone call from the group asking for information about the work of the SDCS. I felt the easiest way to provide this was to go and meet them face to face. When I arrived at the Wellington church hall I found a very friendly, enthusiastic and committed group of teenagers. They had chosen to support the SDCS as they wanted to help a children’s charity and in addition, some of them had deaf relatives and friends. I was able to talk to them about the work of the SDCS and explain a little about the experiences of being the parent of a deaf child as well as provide them with some SDCS leaflets and posters to help them with their project. 

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Over the next week the group carried out a number of activities to promote deaf awareness and raise funds for the SDCS. These included making a video and their own SDCS T-shirts, setting up a fund-raising stall, running a raffle and organising sponsored events. A week later I went back to the group with Dawn Ball for the presentation of a cheque, where the Mayor of Telford was also present. The group had raised £500 for the SDCS: a tremendous feat given the limited time that they had to organise and implement their ideas. Dawn and I were both totally bowled over by their commitment, hard work and enthusiasm. I would like to say a very big thank you to all of the young people involved. 

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Ian Barrett, Chair SDCS 

SDCS

There’s a simple way to support SDCS whilst doing your Christmas shopping with Amazon. If you sign up to Amazon Smile and register SDCS as your chosen charity they will receive a 0.5% donation from Amazon on your behalf, without any cost to you! 

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Here's how to shop AmazonSmile: 

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1. Visit smile.amazon.com 

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2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials 

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3. Choose the Shropshire Deaf Children’s Society to receive donations 

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4. Start shopping! 

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5. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at Amazon Smile. 

SDCS

Paige, aged 18, will study for a three-year Business Management degree course from October at UCS, with all tuition fees paid for by Morris & Company, plus an annual bursary towards her living costs. 

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On hearing the news Paige, who studied at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College said, “I was overwhelmed and just so excited to hear that I had been selected from such an impressive peer group.” 

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Paige came through tough competition to gain the award launched by Morris & Company to mark its 150th anniversary. The Scholarship was open to young people accepted for a place at UCS this October. The short-listed applicants attended interviews and an assessment day which included an obstacle course team challenge organised and hosted by Shrewsbury-based Army Warrant Officer, Stuart Shepherd. 

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Robin Morris, Chairman of the fifth-generation family business said, “It was not easy for us as judges to choose just one winner from the nine talented finalists we selected from the extensive entries we received for the Scholarship. However, Paige shone through. She impressed us with passion for her subject, her willingness to work hard and her personal qualities which make her an ideal student ambassador to represent the University and Morris & Company.” 

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Paige was a peer mentor at college and has held down part-time jobs over the past two years while studying for her A Levels. From a young age she learned to manage her moderate hearing loss and has not let this hold her back. 

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Professor Anna Sutton commented, “I am delighted that Paige has been awarded the Morris Scholarship. It is truly a life-changing opportunity and I am sure Paige will make the most of it. She is already an impressive and accomplished young woman. Paige radiates enthusiasm, as well as being hard-working, forward-thinking and resilient, which are attributes that will serve her well in her chosen career of business.” 

SDCS

Alfie Pinchin recently attended a 5 day Outdoor Education residential visit at the Arthog Centre in North Wales. Alfie had a great time and took part in all sorts of activities including gorge walking, mountain climbing and raft building. All the staff were extremely impressed with how Alfie got stuck in to every activity and his achievement was recognised when he received his school’s annual Arthog Award in a special assembly back at school. Well done, Alfie! 

SDCS

Oscar was recently chosen as a research Officer for NDCS. Oscar was tasked to research different headsets and their suitability for hearing aid/implant wearers. Oscar appeared in a double page spread in the NDCS Families magazine. Oscar’s family is very proud of this achievement.

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The article can be seen using the following link: 

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https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/4859/a0089-families-magazine-issue-54-autumn-2019web.pdf 

SDCS

During the first week of the summer Holidays of 2019, a group of 17 excited hearing impaired students boarded a coach bound for 5 days of residential outdoor activities run by a charity called Climbing Out, set amid the beautiful countryside of the Peak District in the Chatsworth Estate. Climbing Out runs 5 day outdoor activity programmes aimed at rebuilding confidence and self-esteem in young people who’ve been through a life-changing injury, illness or trauma, with a focus on, ‘It’s not about saying I can’t, it’s about saying How can I?’ Our group was joined by a young girl who had been a victim of the Ariana Grande bombing in Manchester, plus one or two other young people facing mental health challenges. 

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For SIS this was a first residential outing for any group of hearing impaired children. The students varied across age group (12-18) and degree of hearing impairment (mild to profound). For many of our young people this was to be a challenging week both in terms of being away from home and taking part in activities that tested their mettle; climbing, abseiling, canoeing, hiking and team work activities that encourage cooperation and active engagement amongst groups. All rose to the challenge and each and every one came away at the end of the week tired but with a heightened sense of achievement and self-confidence. 

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All the students loved the whole experience from being residential and sharing rooms and facilities with others, to being responsible for their own kit and organisation. Strong bonds of friendship were forged and everyone realised the value of teamwork and mutual support. 

There were many highlights of the trip, one of which was impromptu solo singing to by two of our cochlea implanted students with a guitar as the sun set on a warm evening.

Abseiling from a 100ft drop off a bridge was the extreme physical challenge of the week and I can say that all succeeded in this. Water activities from gorge walking to canoeing on the Chatsworth Lake were also very popular - a challenge as no hearing devices were able to be worn. 

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In the balmy evenings, and amongst the grassy fields of the camp, the young people engaged in wide social groups and were responsible for their own leisure. It was striking how well all the students interacted and how inclusive they were. As one of the adults in charge of the trip, I came away with a greater sense of how our young people are at meeting new challenges and their willingness to ‘have a go’, though some need more persuasion than others! It was a privilege to watch the change of attitude and increased confidence grow as the week went on. 

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David Galbraith and Dawn Ball 

SDCS

Get involved with MED-EL’s search for hearing inventions! There have been many incredible inventions that help people hear again – or for the first time – and make their lives so much better. There’ll be more inventions in the future – and that’s exactly where this competition comes in. We know children can come up with amazing ideas, so if you are aged 6-12 years old and have a brilliant invention bouncing around in that brain of yours, we’d love to hear all about it. 

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What type of invention could you make? 

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 You could make a video telling us all about your invention idea (no longer than one minute) 

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 You can create something super creative and send us a photo of your artwork 

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 You could do a drawing or illustration of your invention 

Need some inspiration? Check out the winning children’s inventions from a past competition. 

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Ready, steady, invent! 

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Every idea is welcome. It could be a new invention, an improvement to something that already exists or a clever idea that helps people with hearing loss. The important thing is how it can help people with hearing loss at any age or make their lives easier. 

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https://www.ideas4ears.org/enter/ 

SDCS

SDCS held a Design-a-Christmas-Card competition over the summer holidays.

Young people were asked to design a card that could be made into Christmas cards and sold to raise funds for the charity. Each winner received a pack of cards of their own design, a framed copy of their card and a £10 gift voucher.

Winners were: Ray Turner, Effie Bingham, Maeve Prosser and Tom Goode.

Thank you to all those that took part and congratulations to the winners. 

SDCS

I’ve had an exciting and very busy summer this year, having just finished Year 11 at school. I was very pleased with the GCSE results I got: a 6 in Art and French, a 7 in English Literature, 8s in English Language, Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Geography and finally a 9 in History. I’m now taking Maths, Physics and Chemistry A Levels at William Brookes Sixth Form. 

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Not long after I finished my GCSEs I participated in the National Citizen Service scheme. This involved one week in Wales doing outdoor activities such as surfing and paddle boarding and one week of activities at the Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent developing a community action project. I then spent two weeks on a project raising money for the Royal British Legion and Bliss, a charity supporting premature babies and their families, as well as helping out at a local nature reserve, the Haycop in Broseley. It was well worth the time and effort to broaden my horizons while having fun and making new friends. 

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As soon as the NCS was finished I set off to the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, USA, with a group of 36 other Scouts from Shropshire and Gloucestershire. This followed a competitive selection process and two gruelling years of fund raising and I was brimming with excitement. We had a trip to visit New York and Washington before staying in West Virginia for 2 weeks with 40,000 Scouts from around the world on a state-of-the-art campsite - it took 2 hours to walk from one side of the camp to the other! It was a simply unforgettable, unique experience; being able to meet Scouts from every corner of the globe and instantly have something in common is amazing. I enjoyed every second of my time there: the people, the activities, the firework shows and even getting to see Bear Grylls (though Steve Backshall is better). Straight after the camp we packed up and headed to Ontario on the border of Canada to see the Niagara Falls in all its awe-inspiring glory. After a 3-week trip of a lifetime we flew back home with heavy hearts to England bringing my action-packed summer to a close. 

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Oh, apart from my silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition, which I also managed to squeeze in. 

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Alex Barrett 

SDCS

Zach has recently achieved his 100 metre swimming badge and certificate. Zach’s family is very proud of him. 

SDCS

Thank you to Isobel Edwards who gave generously of her time during a very busy period in Year 6 to support Effie Bingham with her transfer to St George’s. Isobel showed Effie around the junior school on several occasions, baked cakes with her and generally shared the experience of being a hearing aid wearer at the junior school. 

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Thank you too to Mrs Jo Tso and the teaching staff at St George’s who spent lots of time supporting both girls in a fun and exciting way. All the hard work paid off – Isobel developed greater confidence in acting as the ‘grown up’ with a little one and Effie’s smooth transition to her new school supports everyone’s view that time spent on transition preparation is invaluable! 

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Isobel is now a very grown up young lady at The Priory in Shrewsbury - we all wish her the very best there! 

SDCS