LOCAL GROUPS
Join Us
We provide support in Swindon & North Wiltshire to families with children who are deaf or have a hearing loss.
Our group was established by parents who have children with a hearing loss over 25 years ago. It is still run by volunteer parents today.
We organise fun events, provide a great network of families, hold fund raisers and offer information and support, to children who are deaf or have a hearing loss and their families in the Swindon & North Wiltshire area through our free membership scheme.
We also work closely with audiology and other professional organisations involved in the day to day care of our children.
Deaf children are vulnerable to isolation, bullying and poor self-esteem
Deafness is not a learning disability
1,600 babies are born deaf in the UK every year
NEWS, USEFUL LINKS & RESOURCES
Local groups are affiliated to the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) - The NDCS Helpline is a valued service they offer to families for support & advice. To access this service call the NDCS Helpline on 0808 800 8880 or email helpline@ndcs.org.uk
USEFUL LINKS
We warmly welcome all parents, family members, volunteers & professionals working with deaf children to join our local Group.
Membership is FREE - Simply fill out the membership form by clicking on the link below and ensure you OPT IN to receive emails.
AGM
Make a donation to Swindon and North Wilts
Deaf Children's Society through JustGiving
Wednesday 19th May 2021, 7.00pm
After a successful virtual AGM in 2020, we have once again decided to hold our Annual General Meeting through Zoom Video Conferencing. Join us from the comfort of your own sofa!
NDCS online community forum: Staying connected online is now more important than ever. The NDCS have launched a fabulous online community forum: WELCOME TO YOUR COMMUNITY. This online forum is Your Community, a safe place to get tips, ask questions, share experiences and connect with other parents and carers of deaf children and young people. Everyone can benefit from reading the threads and comments in Your Community but only National Deaf Children’s Society family members will be able to start a new thread or reply to a comment. Membership is free. If you haven’t registered on the website yet please visit ndcs.org.uk/membership/register/ If you’re already registered you just need to 'log in'.
NDCS Virtual Events: NDCS offer a wide range of online events and courses for deaf children, young people, their parents and families. Upcoming sessions include Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), support with remote learning, supporting parents new to hearing loss, baby and preschool coffee mornings, an intro to technology and apps for young deaf children, plus lots more! Full details of all of the upcoming events and how to book your free places are available at ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/
Swindon Hearing Support Team: The Hearing Support Team have been contacting schools and families of children aged 0 - 5 to let them know how they will be supporting students and families moving forward. E-mails have been sent out to all settings and to all parents that we have permission to e-mail information to. If you think that you are not on their mailing list and would like to be, please contact your Teacher of the Deaf.
Signalong Virtual Courses: Swindon Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Services are offering free virtual Signalong workshops over Microsoft Teams, for parents/carers of children who are seen by the service. For more information please contact Gaby Smith, Speech and Language Therapy Support Practitioner by email: GSmith@swindon.gov.uk with your name, contact details and the name of your child.