URGENT NEWSLETTER
PLEASE HELP!
Dudley Deaf Children's Society finds itself in the situation where it is rich in members but poor in support.
The committee is now very low in numbers. It is run by a few parents whose children are now in their teens (and twenties), and some professionals.
As this is a Society run for the benefit of all children with hearing losses and their parents/ carers, we are now asking for more parents to join the committee or else the society faces closure.
Our next meeting will be in June at the Claughton Centre, Dudley, starting at 7.00pm. A letter will be sent out once a date has been finalised.
Unless we receive more support we will begin closure procedures which will mean there will be no organised activities or funding for signing classes, specialist equipment, Christmas parties, trips for pre-school children and their parents/carers, outings to Alton Towers, the Beer and Skittles Evening, and much more.
We hope you are able to find the time to support us in supporting your child as we would hate 2009 to be the year which sees the closure of the Dudley Deaf Children's Society.
********************************************************************************************
1. NATIONAL DEAF CHILDREN'S SOCIETY. www.ndcs.org.
Please log on for up-to-date information on courses, books, toys, benefits, and so much more for parents, carers and professionals, children. This is a brief outline of the February / March update: The option of cochlear implants to be offered to all profoundly deaf children in England; Acoustics in some new schools are failing to meet Government standards; Concerns over school curriculum funding for literacy; Help the NDCS improve services for families; The Big Walk Forward; Free events for all the family; Life and Deaf – encouraging young deaf people to explore their deaf identity through poetry.
FREEPHONE HELPLINE. The NDCS provides a free benefit information service. Please use it.
DO NOT PAY £1.50 a minute premium telephone service to a company called Benefits Hotline. The NDCS report that some families have been inundated with texts and emails, urging them to use that service further.
+++ If you do not have access to a computer please do contact me on 01384-811747 and I will download the information and post it to you +++
2. DUDLEY DEAF YOUTH CLUB. Meetings: Thursdays, 7.30pm – 9.30pm,
Claughton Youth & Community Centre, Blowers Green Lane, Dudley. DY2 8UZ
Contact : Sajid Rehman, 07799070630 or e-mail: sajid.rehman@dudley.gov.uk
Activity/dates:
Monday 23rd March – Visit to Sandwell Deaf Youth Club
Thursday 2nd April - Centre
3. PARENTS AND TODDLERS. We do hope that you will come along and see us at
The Stourbridge Children and Families Centre,
Forge Road, Stourbridge. DY8 1XF.
10.00 till 11.30 am
Spring Term
2009
Friday 3rd April _ Easter activities – making fluffy chickens and crispy
chocolate nests!
Summer Term
2009
Friday 8th May - Music session
Friday 5th June - Baby massage
Friday 3rd July - Summer Outing to Ash End Farm, near Tamworth
4. ALEXANDRA THEATRE + BIRMINGHAM REP. THEATRE
Information regarding signed performances for the Alexandra Theatre + BSL interpreted performances, captioned performances, and audio description an touch tour for the Birmingham Rep. are on the enclosed sheet.
5. SIBLING ACTIVITY DAY.
Birmingham, Sunday 29th March 2009.Does your brother or sister have a hearing loss? Are you between the ages of 9 years and 16 years? Would you like to meet other children like you? Read the information sheet to find out more!
6. REGIONAL FUN DAY – WOLVERHAMPTON – 27TH JUNE – Aldersley Stadium. FREE for all members. This will be a fun and informative day for all the family. It is your chance to meet the local groups closest to you and find out more about what they do. There will be a wide variety of activities for all the family from toddlers to teens and parents.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you would like to comment on anything in the Newsletter – or write an article yourself – please send it or phone Shelagh James, The Education Centre, Church Street, Pensnett, Dudley, West Midlands. DY5 4HB. Phone: 01384-811747. e.mail: shelagh.james@dudley.gov
