Children had fun at the Deaf Cultural Centre Play scheme! 

The Deaf Cultural Centre has hosted a play scheme for deaf children living in Birmingham. The play scheme ran from Monday 15th to Friday 19th February and included a range of activities for the children aged 8 - 14, such as a drama workshop, face-painting, and trips to Go Kids Go and Thinktank.

  Children making things in the Creative Workshop at the Deaf Cultural Centre

Funded by BID Services, the aim of the playscheme was to provide a fun packed holiday for deaf children as well as providing them with the opportunity to develop language and personal skills and explore their own identity.

One young person who had never experienced sign language learnt the basics from deaf peers at the playscheme and was able to basically communicate by the end of the week. Many of them met other children of a similar age from different schools from all over Birmingham and developed their friendships throughout the week.

  A Deaf member of staff using sign language with a deaf child

Establishing the playscheme for the first time in a number of years, Robin Ash, Community Development Manager, was able to forge new partnerships with parents, providing advice, information and support.  He said "It has been a beneficial week for everyone involved. We had staff who arranged the activities and provided a number of interactive workshops, designed to encourage the children to express themselves without any language restrictions. It was excellent to see them enjoying themselves and making new friends".   

  ...enjoying his game of pool

The children also attended a number of off-site trips which included visits to the local park where they enjoyed the slides and swings and ten pin bowling where the competitive side in them was unleashed as they bowled for the highest scores! 

  Bowling Fun!

By the end of the week, the young members added quotes to a large scrapbook which helped them to document the activities, feelings and thoughts with each session and one such quote is as follows: "the most fun thing that we enjoyed today was playing on the slides and the round small balls'.

Robin continues, "Communication support was provided to enable everyone to understand what was happening, including the deaf staff and children. It was clear they had fun and they are already looking forward to the next one!".

  Fun at the local Park!

There are plans for future play schemes.

Those interested should contact Robin Ash on:

0121 246 6100 (voice)

0121 246 6101 (textphone)

0121 246 6125 (fax)

info@deafculturalcentre.com