Navigating the World of Words by Caroline Howsley Pages 24

Deaf Association is working with Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear Mental Health Foundation Trust to arrange a series of well-being clinics throughout the north of Cumbria. This will enable direct access for BSL users to clinical support, in which all of the medical team use BSL.

CDA is not only working with the NHS, it is also developing a support programme of support that cover a range of ages and activities for the deaf community. Families and young people are one of our special projects for which we have a dedicated youth worker. This summer, fingers crossed, she has planned the following events. Esther Palliser, youth worker, outlines the upcoming events;

“Come and join us for some fun in the Park, Saturday 10th July, Fitz Park, Keswick. 11.00am onwards. Bring a picnic and a football or cricket set and we can finally just have some time together, playing with the children, swapping stories etc. Bring bikes if the children want a go on the bike track, pitch and put is just across the road. Lovely play area for all ages. It would be great to see new families, please do join us and get to know others who can support you in your journey.

“Another activity is a family residential weekend at Bendrigg Trust, near Kendal, an outdoor activity centre. It has been booked for Friday 24th Sept – Sunday 26th Sept. This weekend away is a fantastic opportunity to get to know other families who are bringing up a deaf child, for the deaf child to make some friends with other children like them and for the hearing siblings to realise that it is not just their brother or sister who is deaf.”

For many members of the deaf community it is important for their voice to be heard, with this in mind we are so very pleased to say that Peter McCall, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner has kindly arranged two clinics especially for the deaf community. In doing this he recognises the importance of hearing from all sectors of the community, especially those who are often overlooked or excluded from mainstream activities. We look forward to these sessions later this year, in October and November.

CDA has faced a great deal of change over recent years. It now has a clear vision for the future and is looking forward to working with others to make Cumbria the most Deaf Aware county in England. This will be great for residents and visitors alike. As the new General Manager, Caroline Howsley, explains “I am delighted to join the team here. The organisation has such dedicated, long-serving staff and trustees, it will be a great challenge moving from covid days into a brighter future.”

Caroline has experience of being deaf herself, following a childhood illness, She gives talks to groups and schools to share how deafness affected her as a young person and, even with some hearing restored how it impacts her life now. In these presentations she also explains the important role of CDA as a charity supporting the deaf community.

Throughout this article the term ‘deaf’ includes people who are Deaf, deafened, deafblind & hard of hearing.