In this section you will find various CODA friendly services and groups:
CODA Library
CODA UK and Ireland have an extensive collection of books and DVDs available to borrow for a small donation. An updated list of these resources can be emailed upon request: marie@codaukireland.co.uk. If you have any unwanted copies of any CODA related books do let us know!
Art by Sharon Dimond
Currently undertaking roles including; glass artist, designer and maker her work is influenced by knowledge and experience obtained by affiliation with the Deaf community. This therefore, had ignited her interest in the movement of certain aspects of the body when conversing in BSL particularly the facial expressions, and hand shapes. Her decorative and sculptural wall pieces aim to evoke a reaction from the public and enlighten them by providing a means for them to gain an understanding of the Deaf community. The imagery focuses on the hands and face, especially the gestures used to show emotions. Kiln forming processes are used to create hand forms, using colour and texture to show the emotion and movement of the hands.
Deaf CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) is an NHS service for D/deaf children and their families who live in England. There are 4 larger teams, with 3 regional offices (North – York, Newcastle, Manchester; Central – Nottingham, Dudley, Oxford; South West – Taunton; and South East- Cambridge, London, Maidstone). We work with children who are deaf, and with parents who are D/deaf with deaf or hearing children. The children who we work with are generally struggling at home or school, and adults are concerned for their health and emotional well-being. We may not need to work directly with the young people or parents/carers if there are other services more local to the families that can do this. In our teams there are professionals who work in slightly different ways; we have Deaf family support workers, therapists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists.
As a family therapist I (Cathy Petters) have now met quite a few families where the parents are Deaf and their children are hearing. These particular families all have/had difficulties communicating at a deep level, sharing feelings in a balanced way, and had developed habits which were unhelpful and often hurtful to others. Some of the children and young people were not willing or able to tell their parents how difficult it is being a hearing child of Deaf parents, or else their parents could not accept this. Equally many of the children and young people could not see things from their parents’ points of view (very normal for teenagers!) and so they were becoming aggressive or withdrawn (some were self-harming). By slowly untangling the family stories and misunderstandings, many of these families have become more willing to try to communicate in a way which brings the family closer together.
We get our referrals from schools, doctors, health professionals, social workers, NDCS family support workers. Our funding comes from a central NHS source, so we do not charge referrers or families for our time. Also, we provide BSL interpreters for meetings, though many of our clinicians can sign as well.
UKODA (CODA/HMFD) Workshops
This workshop is aimed at the hearing children of Deaf parents.
The morning workshops are a safe place for the children to express themselves and their feelings. Parents are not judged. The workshops are about the children feeling free to talk about their shared experiences with their peers. We, as a group, have all agreed that what we talk about, in the workshops, stays in the workshops and is not discussed away from the workshops, with anyone! The afternoon activities are decided by the children and are their opportunity to have fun and be carefree.
Workshop Facilitators, Angie Poole and George T. Taylor, encourage the children to take pride in their bi-culturalism and bi-lingualism. Angie and George are both adult HMFDs, fully accredited workshop facilitators and CRB checked.
WORDS, SIGNS & VIBES YOUTH THEATRE!
Aged 10-17yrs old?
Enjoy playing games?
Like making new friends?
Looking for something to do on a Saturday morning?
Want to perform on the stage in front of your family and friends?
We have been funded by Children in Need for the next 3 years to run our D/deaf and hearing Youth Theatre for young people aged between 10yrs – 17yrs old. Open to all, no experience needed. Sessions are lead by Deaf and hearing drama facilitators.
We provide fully qualified interpreters at all sessions and additional communication support workers.
Sessions run weekly during term time.
When: Every Saturday (Starts 10th September)
Time: 11am-1pm
Where: Studio 410, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA.
Cost: Free (for a limited period)
The group will be perform, a production of their choice, on the stage.
Please HELP spread the word/sign about our Youth Theatre..
For more information or if you want us to send you a poster to advertise our Youth Theatre please contact..Angela Twigg
Email: angela@integreattheatre.org.uk
Mobile: 07515939806
Please click on the Link below for the Flyer
Happy Hands
A parent and child group aimed at families with D/deaf or hard of hearing family members, including parent, grandparents or the child themselves. Providing an informal learning environment, which is inclusive of play and communication needs.
The programme is similar to Sure Start activity programmes but also facilitate family Makaton and BSL classes. The group is aimed at children under 10 years of ago and children do not need to live in St Helens to attend. The group meets every Wednesday from 4.30-6.30pm at the Deafness Resource Centre Ltd.
The Seekers (Youth Club)
Also facilitated by Deafness Resource Centre Ltd provides an inclusive environment for D/deaf or hard of hearing young people to meet, but also encourage hearing young people to attend, therefore promoting social inclusion. The activities are aimed at young people age 10+. The group meets every Wednesday 7-9pm and on the last Friday of every month 4.30-7pm.