Summary
We delivered clubs, events and outings covering a wide variety of activities for deaf and disabled children aged between 0 and 20 across the West of Scotland. These activities were great opportunities to bring the deaf children and young people together to make friends and improve mental health/wellbeing. This had a direct, positive impact on confidence, independence and self-esteem. Carers were provided with opportunities to have a much needed break and to establish a support network.
What Social & Emotional Support for Deaf Children, Young People & their Families did
We delivered 90 opportunities for 104 deaf children and young people to come together to nurture friendships and benefit from improved mental health and wellbeing. We delivered a range of activities including arts and crafts, museum trips, bowling, cinema, science experiments, circus skills and visits from a mini zoo. These took place at various venues but for our Saturday Club, this mostly took place at the Adelphi Centre in Glasgow.
The majority of our Youth Groups took place online on Tuesday evenings focusing on quizzes, Mario Kart tournaments, game show games and online board games. However, they also benefited from face-to-face sessions including bowling, cinema and mini golf. Our Baby & Toddler Group took place in our office Family Room once a month on weekday mornings. These events and timings were decided in consultation with the children/young people and carers.
The majority of parents/carers decide to stay at the activity venue to support their children but also to give their children independence to play with their friends and develop their social skills. Parents/carers who remain find emotional and practical support from each other by sharing experiences with and getting advice from each other. Some parents may decide to leave their children in the care of WSDCS staff, in which case they can use this time to pursue their own interests or catch up on necessary tasks.
One of the biggest successes for us in the past year was our Baby & Toddler Group which went from strength to strength and has been a real lifeline for families with newly diagnosed deaf babies. The group has given them a support network through shared experience and guided by our trained, experienced staff.
We used our professional contacts, social media and stellar reputation to ensure carers knew about us and help reach as many people as possible.
What West Scotland Deaf Children's Society has learned
We learned that the younger children were better suited to face-to-face interactions. Following discussions with our trustees and carers, it was decided that we would move from the online provision for the 0-12 year olds and focus on delivering in-person clubs and events. This was absolutely the right choice as attendance has been brilliant.
We also learned of the great value in partnership working and collaboration. We worked with a lot of local services and organisations to provide fun activities and also supported the Scottish Government in their work to develop plans and strategies to improve the lives of deaf children, young people and their carers.
How West Scotland Deaf Children's Society has benefitted from the funding
The generous funding from Better Breaks has also allowed us to engage with and book local external organisations to provide activities e.g. Animal Man's Mini Zoo, Circus Sensible, Super Science Party, Make Do and Grow arts and crafts. We have also gone to activities such as Hollywood Bowl, Art Space G41, Glasgow Science Centre and Vue cinema to watch subtitled films.
These activities have been particularly successful, giving deaf children full access to them and also increasing deaf awareness amongst staff within these organisations.
We have secured funding to create a new and improved website. The one we have is outdated and not user-friendly. We believe this decision will help us to engage with more carers and bring in many new families going forward.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
98 children/young people will have had 114 opportunities to participate in fun activities within an understanding and inclusive environment where they can nurture life-long friendships and sustain good mental health and improve confidence and wellbeing.
Results
Being deaf is a very isolating experience and many deaf children and young people do not access any mainstream clubs whether it be after school, Brownies, swimming club etc. Our project gave 104 kids a social life through 90 opportunities to come together to have fun in a safe, understanding environment. Their shared experience allowed us to nurture friendships through their deaf identity.
We believe we were very successful in achieving this outcome as we used tried and tested methods as well as included the children and carers in consultations at the planning stage. Our team were fortunate enough to see first hand the impact our project has, witnessing the increase in confidence, happier moods, less distress and pride in their D/deaf identity.
All of our clubs and events were supported by BSL/English Interpreters to make sure EVERYONE felt included and valued. This does not happen in mainstream clubs which means the deaf children that do attend often feel uncomfortable or left out.
Case study
Child X is new to our group and had never met another deaf person before. She often felt isolated and unable to access mainstream groups. Mum and Dad said she often found it hard to make friends and that they were worried about her mental health.
She has now attended multiple clubs and outings and has become a totally different person. Mum said "It's a relief to see her having fun. It's great to see her social skills improving and realising that there are other people just like her".
Outcome
The 114 opportunities provided for the children and young people will serve a dual purpose as opportunities for respite for carers from their caring role. Carers will enjoy quality ‘me’ time and pursue personal interests
Results
Carers were able to leave their child/young person in the carer of trained, experienced staff who could meet the individual additional needs of everyone attending. This meant carers were reassured and able to step away from their caring role as their child was safe with a trusted team.
Through informal chats with the carers we found that they did a host of activities including shopping, fitness classes, going for quiet drives, reading and spending quality time with their other children. With the Zoom Clubs, carers were still able to enjoy a break and get housework done, make the dinner or simply watch tv and chill.
Case study
K, whose children attend the sessions regularly, has used this time to go running and focus on herself. She said it's been great to have some alone time and do things that she often can't due to the demands of her caring role.
K is now less stressed and rarely seen in a bad mood. The benefits she has received from participating have encouraged her to promote the work we do amongst other carers of deaf children and young people.
Outcome
Carers will have had many opportunities to get a meaningful break from their caring role and recharge. We will see them continue in their role in a positive, empowered way and consultations with them will reflect this. Carers will be less stressed and sustain good mental health. They will also have had numerous chances to build a support network with other carers and our staff.
Results
By providing carers with so many opportunities for a break or to chat with other carers, they have felt supported to enjoy time to themselves to relax, follow their interests and passions and to create a supportive community with other carers with similar experiences.
This ability to relax and recharge has meant they can continue in their caring role and not suffer from negative impacts to their mental health.
Case study
Carers of E, a deaf young person with a wide range of additional needs, were often feeling rundown and struggled to cope sometimes due to the high level of care their child required.
After attending a few activities with E and seeing how she was able to interact with the staff, carers and other young people gave them the confidence to step away and be able to enjoy a much needed break.
E's parents said WSDCS has been "a lifeline" and ""saved our sanity".
Outcome
Children, young people and carers will be happier, more confident, less stressed and less anxious. Through involvement in our clubs and events, a strong support network will have been established in the form of a friendly, welcoming community. This support and creation of lasting friendships will positively impact the mental health of everyone.
Results
To say we achieved this outcome would be an understatement. It has been a privilege to even play a small part in improving the happiness, confidence and wellbeing of all the children, young people and carers involved in this project.
We have seen firsthand their improved mental health and the development of their social skills as well as the carers feeling more empowered to take on their caring role AND to step away from it for a much deserved break.
When we interact with the children, they are happy, involved and not anxious or upset in any way. The same can be said of their carers. This has resulted in all of the opportunities we have provided being fun, inclusive and positive experiences for all involved.
Case study
J is 2 and had been really struggling with his deafness, often feeling frustrated and refusing to wear his hearing aids. Mum was understandably stressed, deflated and anxious. She got in touch for a bit of guidance from our Family Support Officers and was invited to come along to our Saturday Club.
It took J a bit of time to settle in but having his brother there really helped and once he realised that he was surrounded by children just like him, he became a totally different person. He went to his mum and asked for his hearing aids to be put in and began playing with the other children and joining in with activities. The difference has been incredible and a joy to watch. Mum and Dad are now a lot happier and empowered to continue in their roles as carers.