Web site: www.dudleydcs.org.uk Charity number: 1016532 Email: dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com Website: www.ndcs.org.uk New Helpline number: 07951644598 Free helpline number: 0808 800 888

NEWSLETTER 73 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW HELPLINE NUMBER

07951664598

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW Email ADDRESS

dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com

When typing in the new email address – make sure you have the double ss in the middle –

and no ‘s in children’s

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DDCS Committee

Chairperson: Mrs. Helen Fox

Secretary: Mrs. Karen Forbes-Chapman

Treasurer: Mr. Nick James

Membership secretary: Mrs Shelagh James

Newsletter editor: Mrs. Janet Evans.

Next committee meeting: Wednesday14th March 2018

The Meeting Room, Stourbridge Community Fire Station, Parkfield Road, Stourbridge. DY8 1HA

7.30 till 9.30

Anyone is welcome to come to our informal committee meetings – the dates are on the Newsletters

and the DDCS website/calendar, so please try to come and see what we do to help you, your

children, and your family. Light refreshments are served.

2017 proved to be an amazing year for DDCS, celebrating our Ruby

anniversary. We had our Ruby day out at the Zoo in August followed by the

Variety Children’s Charity Safari Park Event in October. In early December we

had our Christmas Party and finally rounded off the year’s activities with an

afternoon Santa hunt at the Black Country Living Museum.

“We had a lovely Christmassy

afternoon at the Black Country

Museum looking for Santa. The event

was well organised and everyone in the

group looked like they were enjoying

themselves, even the grown-ups! It was

very magical and Christmassy, Thank you again to the DDCS for a lovely trip”

MH

Hello 2018

What a fantastic start to 2018. All 40 tickets to the Panto Jack and the

Beanstalk were allocated and an amazing time was had by everyone,

even though some of us got a little wet after being squirted by cheeky

Simple Simon!

Farewell 2017

We would just like to let you know that

we had a lovely time at the

Pantomime on Saturday, J

kept signing MORE & laughing his

head off when Simple Simon was

shooting water over the audience,

Thank you so much it was a lovely

afternoon from start to finish. JH

My favourite bit was the man

fighting with the mum with light

sabre. The lady named Amy kissed

the man, his pinky, his elbow, his

knee. Then he hurt his bum, then he

asked Amy... Then the lights went

off, it was a joke' H.C.

On 26th and 27th January, there was a signed performance of a new version of Snow

White at the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton. Several families attended and said what

an amazing show it was.

“Just been to see Mirror Mirror at the Arena Theatre. Myself, my mother and my 3yr old

profoundly deaf daughter can only say it was awesome.

My daughter was mesmerised, she never moved only to laugh

and sign with them.

It was performed by 2 outstanding actresses which would be

hard to define against famous ones.

Their take was hilarious. Thank you for an amazing show. AB”

February March

Maisie B Aatiqah A

Kian C Aryan B

Ellie F Haroon E

Sienna F Devon F

Kobie L Ahmed I

Azaria O Ella M

Keici Reanne S Emily M

Holly T Joseph W

George W

Samuel W

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WHAT EVENTS WOULD YOU LIKE DDCS TO ARRANGE FOR 2018?

Thank you to everyone who has already filled in our DDCS feedback forms from

2017. If anyone has any further ideas as to what events you would like to see

happen or take part in during 2018 then please email your suggestions to

dudleydeafchildrenssociety@yahoo.com

Watch out for new forthcoming events……………….

______________________________________________________________________________________________

COOL NEW TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE

Wake up with the new iLuv Smartshaker 2 This compact vibrating pad is ideal

for a deaf young person who likes to do everything using their smartphone.

You download an app onto your iOS or Android phone to control the

Smartshaker which links to the phone using Bluetooth. You can set up to 10

alarms, 8 ringtones, 3 levels of vibration and it also has a snooze button. It has

a rechargeable battery and the app warns you when the battery is running

low.

Or try the Sonic Alert Traveler This has all the features you’d expect from a

vibrating alarm clock but its unique feature is a built-in USB socket so your child

can easily charge their smartphone, tablet or other device. For more

information visit www.ndcs.org.uk/technology or contact our Freephone

helpline.

Deaffest is to run a residential Deaf Youth

Film and Performance Academy for young

deaf people in the summer of 2018. Think Glee, think Fame, think Grease, think Mamma

Mia, Chicago, Westside Story, La La Land... then think

Deaf! This is your chance to get involved in making

the FIRST EVER Deaf sign-musical film! At Deaffest’s

Deaf Youth Film and Performance Academy, a team

of talented young deaf actors/ actresses, performers and filmmakers will

team up with award-winning British Deaf professional film directors,

producers, actors/ actresses and performers for a full week. Together, they

will create a unique, unforgettable film and in the process, the young Deaf

participants will get hands-on experience of the following:

- Filmmaking – creating a storyboard, scriptwriting, producing and plot

development.

- Editing – using a camera, operating lighting, sound mixing and editing.

- Acting – getting into character, using facial expression and body

language to bring a script to life.

- Dance – choreography, musical expression, body language and

interpretation

- Sign Song – interpreting song lyrics and conveying the emotion through

sign language.

You can even have a go at directing! Imagine yourself in the Director’s chair,

leading adult professional actors and actresses! This could be your chance

to shine, helping to produce a film people will never forget.

Taking place in Wolverhampton, from Sunday 5th August – Sunday

12th August 2018, the Academy is a week-long residential experience suitable

for young deaf people aged 13 – 17 years (although applications would be

considered from those aged 11 and 12 years, in consultation with parents/

guardians).

With all this on offer, the Academy is a place where young deaf people can

be empowered and have experiences they will never forget!

Parents, if you are looking for a week-long creative summer school for your

child, where they can gain direct access to training, and at the same time

be inspired by some of the UK’s most successful deaf role models, then get in

touch to register your interest at enquiries@deaffest.co.uk. Places are limited for the Deaf Youth Film and Performance Academy, so do get in touch early to avoid disappointment!

News from NDCS

New Video Relay Service now available

Professionals and parents who use British Sign Language (BSL) can now use

the InterpreterNow Video Relay Service to contact specific members of our

staff and our Helpline. Contact Information Team, NDCS

families@ndcs.org.uk

____________________________________

Children’s Book now available. Jake and Jasmine to the Rescue is now

available to buy.

“When Jake, who is deaf and has a cochlear implant, returns to his superhero

school after the summer, he finds out that Tilly, the school

tortoise, has gone missing. Jake teams up with Jasmine

and together they go on a quest to find the much-loved

pet and show that anyone can be a superhero!

Buy it now – available from Amazon for £6.99 ________________________________________

Children’s Comic now available Chloe gets cochlear implants

Suitable for Deaf children aged eight and under

Chloe has worn hearing aids since she was a baby but now

her hearing has got worse and her audiologist suggests

cochlear implants might help. This comic follows Chloe and

her family as they find out more about cochlear implants and

decide whether they’re right for her.

The comic also shows Chloe going into hospital for surgery, recovering and

having her cochlear implants 'switched on'.

Available to order or view at:

http://www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/new_and_updated_resources

_____________________________________________

Just found out your baby has a hearing loss? New booklet available from

NDCS “My Baby Has a Hearing Loss – Support for parents of children aged 0-2.

Download or order your copy at

www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/new_and_updated_resources

If you are an NDCS / DDCS member you may have received your copy in

the post or you can read it online at www.ndcs.org.uk.

_________________________________________________

The Great British Dog Walk is an annual event in aid of Hearing Dogs for

Deaf People. We will have:

• 20 dog walks across the UK

• Picturesque locations

• A free doggie bandana for each adult ticket purchased

• Working hearing dogs at the walks who you can meet

• Fun activities for all the family

• Stalls with gifts and refreshments

And by simply joining us on the day, you will help us to train more adorable

puppies to change the lives of deaf people.

Session dates for 2018

February 16th – Hearing Impairment & Visual Impairment

March

9th – Hearing Impairment 23rd – Hearing Impairment & Visual Impairment

April

20th - Hearing Impairment & Visual Impairment

May 4th – Hearing Impairment

18th – Hearing impairment & Visual Impairment

June 8th June – Hearing Impairment

22nd – Hearing Impairment & Visual Impairment

July 6th - Hearing Impairment & Visual Impairment

SPRING TERM SUMMER TERM

Tuesday 2nd January Monday 16th April

½ term: Monday 19th - 23rd February ½ term: Monday 28th - 1st June

End of term: Thursday 29th March Term ends: Friday 20th July

Autumn Term

Monday 3rd September

½ term: Monday 29th October – 2nd November

Term Ends: Friday 21st December

For more information please contact:

Cathryn Skidmore QTVI or Louise Westwood TOD

The Mere Education Centre

Stourbridge, DY8 5PQ

Tel: 01384 818003 Text: 07827873498

The Winter Families Magazine

NDCS Events.

For 14 – 18 yr olds: Get Creative Technology Weekend

16th – 18th March 2018 in the East Midlands Area.

For 8 – 18 year olds: Raising the Bar event – Birmingham,

12-13 May 2018. Calling all young deaf musicians,

dancers and actors. Apply for a spot at the Masterclass

with deaf arts professionals and take part in the final

showcase, Applications open 15th Jan – 25th Feb. See

page 6 of the latest magazine for more details.

Hearing/Visual Impairment Services

Parents/Carers & Toddlers Group

The Stourbridge Children and Families Centre,

Forge Rd, Stourbridge,DY8 1XF

Fortnightly Friday Sessions

9:45 ‘til 11:30 See back for dates

Our group is open to all Parents/carers,

and their hearing impaired and visually impaired babies,

toddlers and pre-school brothers and sisters

Term Dates 2018

Eastnor Castle, Ledbury

18 Mar 2018