Reducing isolation for deaf children and young people
A lot of deaf children and young people we initially meet often think they are the only deaf person - they've never been exposed to other people just like them.
My name is Colette and I am the Project Officer for the Deaf Roots and Pride Project in Northern Ireland (DRPNI). I am deaf, and use British Sign Language to communicate.
I work closely with deaf children and young people to organise a range of activities so they can come together to make new friends and have fun.
A lot of deaf children and young people we initially meet often think they are the only deaf person – they’ve never been exposed to other people just like them.
Being deaf cuts you off from fully communicating with others. Opportunities to learn new skills, gain experiences or to meet deaf role models can be limited (or highly unlikely).
This can feel very isolating and frustrating, especially for children and young people.
I want to see deaf children and young people grow in confidence and for them to know that they are capable of achieving their dreams.
That’s why the funding from BBC Children in Need is so important.
It enables us to offer a range of activities, training sessions and opportunities to bring deaf children and young people together, reducing social isolation and removing communication barriers.
Activities include fun days out with the whole family, like snowtubing in Craigavon!
As much as possible, we try to get deaf role models in attendance and get the families working with British Sign Language interpreters.
Having access to events like these enables deaf children and young people to develop positive self identities and feel empowered by gaining new skills and knowledge.
Deaf children often don’t get a lot of opportunities to meet other children like themselves so it’s great to see them all coming together.
Knowing there are others like themselves out there in the world enables them to embrace their true identity and enhance a sense of belonging within their community.
It enables them to share experiences so that they know they are not alone with their frustrations and there are things they can do to make their lives better.
It’s always a real privilege watching the children and young people learning new skills each year, gradually growing in confidence and becoming independent.
Seeing a shy young person, low in confidence, blossom into a leader of the future!
Without the funding from BBC Children in Need, these children and young people would remain isolated, with serious communication barriers, and would have increased mental health issues due to feeling frustrated and excluded.
To all those who raise money or donate to BBC Children in Need: thank you! Your generosity has helped to make an enormous difference to the lives of many deaf children and young people. Without this money, they would not have the opportunity to meet others like themselves and to see that they too can make a difference to others.
