DDCS Diary

West Midlands Film Making Weekend

2009-07-28T17:00:00.003+01:00

Notes for parents and carers

What's included?

All activities and specialist equipment. Accommodation (plus bedding) and
meals are included and special diets can be catered for. We will send you a recommended kit list and other information such as location maps, arrival times etc three weeks before the event.

Health and safety

The centre is a licensed activity centre. The programme of activities will be planned by qualified instructors from Remark! in partnership with NDCS staff. All activities are assessed for additional safety issues in relation to communicating with deaf children and young people. All centre staff, NDCS staff and volunteers are CRB checked.

Who can come?

This weekend is aimed specifically at deaf children and young deaf people aged 11-15. NDCS uses the term "deaf" to cover all types of hearing loss, including temporary hearing loss, such as glue ear. It is unlikely we will be able to offer places to any hearing siblings or friends on this weekend, however hearing siblings and friends may still apply and be added to the waiting list (to be notified one month before the event). Preference for these places will be given to children who have not attended an NDCS event before and who may require the support of a hearing sibling or friend for their first event.

Transport

Unfortunately there is no transport available for this event. If you are arriving by public transport we are able to offer pick-ups from the local train station – subject to demand. If you do experience transport problems please contact the Events Team and we will try to help you.

How to register?

Please complete a registration form in full and return to the address at the bottom of the form as soon as possible. We will then send out confirmation the place is booked. Please use one form for each child attending. You can download the form on the NDCS website at www.ndcs.org.uk/whatson and visit the event page, or phone us on 0121 234 9820 (v/t) to request a copy or email events@ndcs.org.uk

Booking conditions

To book a place on this event, we require the completed registration form to be faxed (0121 233 9575) or posted back to the events team at: NDCS, York House, 37a Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY. Bookings will only be accepted on receipt of the official booking form.
To enable equal access to the events we have to limit the number of events children can attend to one weekend residential and one residential holiday per child each year.
On receipt of the completed form confirmation of the place will be sent to you, usually by email if supplied. Final instructions will be sent to you three weeks before the event.
Cancellations

Thanks to our donors we are delighted that we can offer all NDCS events free of charge to our members. All we ask is that if you book your child a place on this event, then your child does attend. The actual cost of each place on this event is £248 per child.

Last minute cancellations not only cost the charity money but more importantly, with the huge demand for our events, it could mean that another child has lost the opportunity to attend.

If, through unavoidable circumstances, your child is unable to attend all or a part of the event, then we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the place to someone on the waiting list.

Save Our Society

2009-07-06T21:06:00.002+01:00

NEWSLETTER 25

July 2009

www.ddcs.org.uk

S.O.S. . . . . . Save Our Society

General meeting:
Thursday 9^th July
7.15pm

Claughton Youth & Community Centre, Blowers Green Lane, Dudley DY2 8UZ

We had a good response to our call for more parents to join us on the committee and help run the Society. Views and opinions were expressed, and many suggestions were made as to a new way forward.

Our next meeting will be this Thursday 9^th July, starting at 7.15pm.

Current committee members will be there to outline their roles, and prospective committee members will be able to 'shadow' them until the Annual General Meeting in November.

Please do try to come along. We do need as many parents or family members as possible to help…and we need your ideas …..

REMEMBER….

This is a Society run for the benefit of all children with hearing losses throughout the Dudley Borough, and their parents/ carers and siblings.

If you cannot make the meeting but would like to be involved, even in a small way, please contact Mrs. Shelagh James on 01384-811747, or contact your local Teacher of the Deaf.

THANK YOU

We need your help

2009-03-26T06:32:00.003Z

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 23^rd March – Visit to Sandwell Deaf Youth Club

Thursday 2^nd 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 3^rd April _ Easter activities – making fluffy chickens and crispy
chocolate nests!

Summer Term
2009

Friday 8^th May - Music session

Friday 5^th June - Baby massage

Friday 3^rd 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 29^th 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 – 27^TH 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

Christmas Party Invite

2008-11-05T06:22:00.001Z

You are invited to a Christmas Party. Come and enjoy the Clown, Magic, Face Painting, Disco, Food and a visit from Father Christmas.

The Oakfield Centre

Brettell Lane

Brierley Hill

Sunday 30th November 2008

12.30pm – 2.30pm

Admission is by ticket only. Please return the tear off slip below to reserve your places.

For insurance purposes, I would like to confirm that children remain the responsibility of their parents/carers at all times.

YES PLEASE WE WILL BE COMING TO THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Name of Family -------------------------- Contact Number------------------

Child's Name ----------------------------- Age ------------

Total Number of Adults ---------------

Please return slip to Debbie Gough, 258 Wolverhampton Road, Sedgley, Dudley, DY3 1RD.

Telephone: 01902 678495. NO LATER THAN, FRIDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2008

CHSWG Annual Meeting 2008

2008-10-16T07:36:00.002+01:00

Annual Report of the Dudley Children's Hearing Services Working Group

September 2008

Introduction
The Dudley Children's Hearing Services Working Group has continued to meet three times a year to work to improve the practice and service we provide to hearing impaired children and young people. It has been encouraging to see representation from Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) which hitherto has been absent. In between these meetings working groups focussing on the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHS-P), Hearing Aids and Transition have met. The working groups that focussed upon Family Support and Sharing Information were suspended since these areas cut across all of the other focus groups and in the case of the Sharing Information group, the work was completed by the publication of a Sharing Information Protocol produced jointly by Children's Services and the NHS Trusts.

In order to ensure that all families had the opportunity to have their say a Family Consultation Evening was held in June facilitated by Angela Edwards, Regional Family Representative for the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS).

Strategically, the CHSWG reports to the SEN Group which in turn reports to the Dudley Children and Young People's Partnership.

Summary of the Work of the Working Groups 2007 - 2008

All of the CHSWG working groups have met this year.

NHS-P

Chair: Rachel Byng
The NHSP sub group met on the 14^th May 2008 and on 17^th September 2008 following the last CHSWG meeting in March 2008.

Discussions have mainly been around the next Quality Audit visit 23^rd October 2008 and issues regarding both the action plan from the May 2007 visit and other issues we have identified.

The Quality Audit report: all key challenges and recommendations have been reviewed and issues that related to any changes have been discussed and actioned as necessary. Those actions that had been in place earlier on in the year have been revisited and any other recommendations by the sub group have been identified.

See Progress report on Action points.

Dudley NHSP team audits: an audit has taken place to assess the timings of tests carried out and the referral paper trail compared to the timeline protocol. Other audits on screening data have also been conducted throughout the year.

Several information leaflets have been produced to inform parents of the next stages of testing. These are still to be ratified by appropriate groups.

A meeting of the relevant NHSP team members met to discuss the final stages of the NHSP pathway leading to diagnostic testing and diagnosis and the review of relevant local protocols.

The sub group had identified potential issues on the movement of babies requiring care in the NICU when unit is full. These concerns re tracking these babies for all screening procedures (including hearing) were taken to the Matron in charge and they have been discussed with the Paediatrician and actions has been carried out to prevent there being any risk.

Hearing Aids

Chair: Beryl Rayner

The Hearing Aid Wearers' Group has four parent representatives who meet with Beryl Rayner (Teacher of the Deaf) and staff from Cottage Street Hearing Centre. Two other parents have shown interest in the group and it is hoped they will be able to meet with us during the next academic year. In November 07, Beryl took over the chair of the group from Rachel Byng, Manager of Hearing Services. It is intended to invite staff from the Social Care Hearing Impaired Team to join the group as there are connections for hearing aids and equipment, which Social Care, may be able to help parents purchase.

Last academic year, the group met in November 07, February 08 and initiated a workshop for parents in April 08.

The group continued to discuss the Children's Services Booklet, which has been drafted by Cottage Street Hearing Centre and we look forward to reading the final draft.

The group has also been consulted on draft leaflets for the Hearing Impairment Service, which are given to schools and parents.

In April 08, 11 parents accepted an invitation to attend a workshop at Ashwood Park School, "Caring for Your Child's Hearing Aids". This workshop had been prompted by discussion from the group and was led by Rachel Byng and Tina Harris from Cottage Street Hearing Centre. Rachel began by describing the anatomy of the ear and how a hearing aid works. Tina then explained how to check hearing aids, moulds and tubing. Parents were able to have a go at re-tubing a mould. Each parent was given a Hearing Aid Maintenance Kit, which contains earphones for listening to an aid, a mould drier, and mould tubing. It also contains an excellent booklet on the care of aids. These kits have been bought by the Dudley Deaf Children's Society to support parents.

Parents voted the workshop a great success and Mrs. Sparry wrote a report for the Dudley Deaf Children's Society Newsletter. The workshop, like the group meetings, was also a valuable opportunity for parents to share tips and experiences about the use of hearing aids.

A second workshop/meeting is currently being planned for November 2008 at Cottage Street Hearing Centre. Parents and their Year 11 children, will be invited to a meeting, 5.30 to 7.30 to discuss the changes in service provision when children leave school. It is intended that representatives from Cottage Street Hearing Centre, The Hearing Impairment Service and Social Care Hearing Impaired Team, will explain to parents any changes and how children can be helped to take a more active role in the management of their hearing aids and relevant equipment.

Transition

Chair: Alice Lumley

The Transition Group was relaunched this year and met twice on 29^th January and 8^th April 2008 with representatives from Speech and Language Therapy, Audiology, Education, Connexions, Stourbridge and Halesowen Colleges and two parents of key stage 4 students. The first meeting concentrated on clarifying the remit of the group and to discuss the work carried out previously on a Transition Pack and to look at the transition booklets 'Big Picture' and 'Forward'. The meeting agreed that copies of these booklets should go to students on school action plus aswell as those with statements.

Transition plans for students leaving school and entering further education were discussed. These are the college starting point for an assessment of need. It was agreed that all Year 11 students would been seen at Cottage Street in January or February so that up to date audiological information may be included in the transition plan.

Representation from the colleges has provided useful links with Stourbridge College taking up the suggestion of having 'Language for Learning' training and Dudley College setting up a Service Level Agreement with the Hearing Impairment Service to provide specialist equipment and support for a deaf student.

It is hoped that a visit to Dudley College for Year 10 and 11 students will take place during the autumn term to look around the college and also to take the opportunity to gauge student opinions and views.

Family Consultation Evening

The Family Consultation Evening was held at the Merryhill Centre Customer Services Suite in June. Invitations were extended to all families of children on the Hearing Impairment Service caseload. Three families attended. The meeting was facilitated by Angela Edwards from the NDCS so that families could speak freely about the services offered in Dudley.

The overall impression of the services offered was very favourable. Comments regarding the various services were as follows;

CHSWG

What are they?
How do we feed into it?

Education

Teaching and HI staff excellent – always answer questions
Teachers of the Deaf very accessible – home phone numbers
Concerns over secondary transfer – meeting to discuss?
Would like a named contact when child is in HI unit
Teachers of the Deaf supportive
Would like more checks on class teaching staff to make sure they follow advice
Help and support limited for those without hearing aids

Cochlear Implant Centres

No comments – families present had no experience of cochlear implants

Social Care

Change job title – perhaps Assessment Officer for Deaf Children
Social Worker name very scary term – whole service seems vague

Speech and Language Therapy

Specialist Speech and language therapist is great. Good ideas. Home book to pass information backwards and forwards
Extend services to borderline children

ENT – Russells Hall

ENT Consultant excellent. TOD went into school. Services very supportive at diagnosis
Children's ward fantastic – child friendly – own nurse for contact
Very good but waiting area small and long waiting times

ENT – Out of district

No comments – families present had no experience of out of district clinics

Audiology

Parents working – taking time off is difficult. Could they have more family friendly hours
Cottage Street – good turn around for earmoulds
Out of school appointments – 'I had nine appointments all early afternoon'
Perhaps one late night per week or a Saturday morning
Wax removal
Spirit 3 hearing aids – would like interchangeable casing. Perhaps pink one day, flesh the next

Concluding Remarks

This has been a productive year for the CHSWG and much work has been undertaken in preparation for the next Quality Assurance visit in October. However if service improvement is to continue it is essential that we have the sustained involvement of all stakeholders. If service improvement is to continue developing, it is essential that we have the sustained involvement of all stakeholders. We would welcome increased parent/carer participation and need to ensure that all parents/carers are fully informed about CHSWG and its work.

Areas for development 2008 – 2009

Publicise the work of the CHSWG more widely particularly to parents and carers
Sustain and extend representation to CHSWG Groups
Respond to recommendations of the forthcoming QA visit

Joanne Tasker

Chair Dudley CHSWG

September 2008

Useful Contacts

2008-06-21T18:45:00.001+01:00

USEFUL NAMES, ADDRESSES and CONTACTS

Society / Group	Contact	Number / e.mail
Dudley Deaf Children's Society		Mrs Dennise Thompson (Chair person) Mrs Debbie Gough (Secretary)	01384-571536 01902-678495
D.D.C.S. Website		Mr. Tony Cleary	01384-236552 admin@ddcs.org.uk www.ddcs.org.uk
National Deaf Children's Society		National Office	Freephone helpline: 0808 800 8880 www.ndcs.org.uk
Physical & Sensory Service Hearing Impairment Team		Mrs. Gill Pillar, The Education Centre, Church Street, Pensnett. DY5 4EY	01384-818009 gillian.pillar@dudley.gov.uk
Parents and Toddlers Group		Mrs. Shelagh James, Teacher of the Deaf, The Education Centre, Church Street, Pensnett. DY5 4EY	01384-811747
Ashwood Park Resource Base for the Deaf		Ms. Dawn Bevington, Ashwood Park Primary Bells Lane, Wordsley. DY8 5DJ	01384-818549
Listen and Learn Centre,		Mrs. Kath Apperley, The Crestwood School, Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, DY6 8QG	01384-816556
Dudley Parent Partnership		Trafalgar House, 47-49 King Street, Dudley. DY2 8PS	01384-236677
Dudley Speech and Language Therapy Service		Central Clinic, Hall Street, Dudley. DY2 7BX	01384 - 366400
The Hearing Centre		Mrs. Rachel Byng, Cottage Street, Brierley Hill. DY5 1RE	01384 -366890
Russells Hall Hosp. (ENT)		Mr. Wilson	01384-244168
		Mr. Molony	01384-244117
		Mr. Shortridge	01384-244175
		Mr. Glossop	01384-244167
		Mr. Raut	01384-244175
Children's Assessment Unit		Mrs. Russells Hall Hosp. DY1 2HQ	01384-456111 ext.3275
Social Services for the Deaf Aids and Adaptations		Mrs. Janice Spillar Mrs. Sandie Carley Mr. Harry Peacock Queens Cross Centre, Wellington Road, Dudley. DY1 1RB	01384-813462 01384-813264
Birmingham Children's Cochlear Implant Team		Mrs. Eileen McSporran Aston Academy of Life Sciences, Aston University,	0121-204-3830
The Ear Foundation		Marjorie Sherman House, 83 Sherwin Road, Lenton, Notts. NG7 2FB	0115 942 1985 www.earfoundation.org.uk
Dudley Deaf Children and Family Service		Mr. Rob. Walker The Elms Health Centre, Slade Road, Halesowen. B63 2UR	01384 366951
Kids Orchard Centre		Kids Orchard Centre, Lye Bypass, Lye, West Midlands. DY9 8HA	01384 897489
Phoenix and Castle Mobile Toy Libraries		Sylvia Stephenson / Leah Robins Kids Orchard Centre, Lye Bypass, Lye. Dy9 8ha	01384-266046
Lone Parents caring for a child with additional needs			www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Friends for Young Deaf People			www.fyd.org.uk
British Deaf Association			www.bda.org.uk
Royal National Institute for the Deaf			www.rnid.org.uk
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf			www.hearing-dogs.co.uk
Contact a Family			www.cafamily.org.uk
Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People			www.cacdp.demon.co.uk
Forest Book Shop			www.forestbooks.com
Signing People			www.signing-people.co.uk
Deaf Club UK			www.deafclub.co.uk

Residential Weekend 11th – 13th April

2008-04-01T06:27:00.001+01:00

I am a project worker for Deaf Direct - we have a residential weekend coming up shortly and have some places available. It is being run under the RAD National Full Potential Project.

Friday 11th April - Sunday 13th April 2008

Boreatton Park, Shrewsbury

PGL Multi Activity Weekend - Abseiling; climbing; low ropes; team games; swimming and much more!

Open to any deaf or hard of hearing young person aged 11-16 years old.

We can arrange transport from the Dudley area.

If you have any young people interested, please get them to return the attached booking form to me by Friday 4th April 2008.

Thanks

Sue

Sue Bucknell

Project Worker

Deaf Direct Hereford Centre

Kemble House, 37 Broad Street, Hereford HR4 9AR

Deaf Direct Head Office

The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester WR1 1LH

Email: suebucknell@deafdirect.org.uk

Tel: 01432 357741 / 01905 746301

Fax: 01432 357743 / 01905 746302

Text: 01432 357747 / 01905 746300

SMS: 07725 244126

Registered Charity No: 1105044

Deaf Direct Ltd, Company No: 4802357

Registered office: England

CHSWG Meeting Venue Change

2008-03-12T06:27:00.002Z

Jo Tasker has sent this to me-

The Savoy Centre,

Northfield Road,

Netherton

Dudley

DY2 9ES

Tel: 01384 818156

Fax: 01384 818157

Email: savoy.centre@dudley.gov.uk

Please note there has been a change of venue for the CSWG meeting on Monday 17th from Landlord suite to Savoy centre. The address is above. Apologies if this causes any inconvenience but if anyone has met in the landlord suite they will know why we have changed it!

Regards

Jo Tasker

Catherine Lander

Principal Speech and Language Therapist(Hearing Impairment)

Dudley

Membership Form

2008-03-02T10:23:00.001Z

Dudley Deaf Children's Society

As a member you and your family will be sent an invitation and a very warm welcome to all our events throughout the year.

Registration is easy. Please complete this form and return it to:

Your Resource Base or Listen and Learn Centre, your Visiting Teacher of the Deaf, or post it to: The Membership Secretary, Mrs. Debbie Gough, 258 Wolverhampton Road, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 1RD

Name of Hearing Impaired Child

First Name ……………………………. Last name…………………………………..

Age of child……………………….. Number of other children in the family………...

Parent / Carer details

Title: Mr / Mrs / Ms …………. Name……………………………………………….

Your address …………………………………………………………………………….

Post code………………………….. Phone number………………………….............

** If you would prefer to receive your information by email only **

email………………………………………………………………………………………

Your child's school………………………………………………………………………..

Please pass my details onto the National Deaf Children's Society

(Please tick)

I do not wish my details to be passed onto the National Deaf Children's Society

(Please cross)

If you would like a copy of this newsletter in an alternative language, please indicate which

language you would prefer e.g. Urdu, ……………….

We would like your permission to use appropriate photographic images of your child in

our newsletter or on the DDCS website. Please indicate yes

o or no
o

Newsletter 19 (Feb 08)

2008-03-02T10:21:00.002Z

NEWSLETTER 19

February 2008

www.ddcs.org.uk

MEMBERSHIP FORMS are attached. It is still FREE to join! There are

three additional pieces of information we require. A) Please indicate whether or not you wish your details to passed to the National Deaf Children's Society B) Permission is required for photographs to be taken and displayed C) Indicate if you would like the newsletter printed in an alternative language such as Urdu.

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.
PRE-SCHOOL FAMILY WEEKEND 11^TH – 18^TH APRIL 2008 at The Hilton Hotel, Chepstow Road, Newport, NP18 2LX.
The weekend FREE and is designed as a follow-up to the NDCS newly identified family weekend. Further details are on the NDCS website. The contact person is: Elizabeth Bryan, Wales Programme Co-ordinator, 4 Cathedral Road, Cardiff. CF11 9LJ e.mail address: elizabeth.bryan@ndcs.org.uk Phone number: 029 20373 474. Registration has to be in by 7^th March.

FAMILY FUN DAY AND EXHIBITION 2008 15thJUNE 2008, 10.00am until 5.00pm, Crewe Hall, Weston Road, Crewe, CW1 6UZ.
As in previous years there are a huge variety of activities and exhibitions on offer for all the family from toddlers to teens and parents/carers. There are indoor and outdoor activities but these may be amended if there are adverse weather conditions! More details will appear in the next newsletter, but there is funding available for us to hire a mini bus or coach. IF YOU THINK YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO…..please complete the form at the end of the newsletter and return it as soon as possible so that we can make an application for the funding.

WEEKEND FOR FAMILIES WITH NEWLY IDENTIFIED DEAF CHILDREN – BIRMINGHAM 11^TH JULY – 13^TH JULY 2008, at The Deaf Cultural Centre, Ladywood Road, Birmingham. B16 8SZ. Contact Helen Bell, Event organizer, 37a Great Charles Street, Birmingham. B3 3JY. Phone: 01212349820. e.mail: Helen.bell@ndcs.org.uk
FREE to members. There are more details on the NDCS website.

If you haven't got access to a computer please do contact me as I can send the necessary booking forms for each event directly to you.

3. PARENTS AND TODDLERS. 10.00am until 11.30am
Friday 7^th March CHILLY KIDDY'S –Mill Race Lane, Stourbridge Industrial
Estate, Stourbridge,
DY8 1JN
Friday 11^th April Landlords Management Suite, Merry Hill Centre
Friday 2^nd May CHILLY KIDDY'S
Friday 6^thJune Landlords Management Suite, Merry Hill Centre
Friday 4^th July Proposed summer outing to West Midlands Safari Park.

4. BEER, SKITTLES, FISH and CHIPS EVENING Saturday 2^Nd February
An excellent turn-out of 19 families came for an entertaining evening of skittles, chips, fish, nuggets, sausages, …. and some liquid refreshments! The final elimination round was hotly contended between Ellie Willetts and Josh Dovey, both pupils at Ashwood Park Resource Base for the Deaf. In the end it was Ellie who won a bag of skittles to take home.
WELL DONE ELLIE!!!
A warm welcome to the new families who joined us for the first time …. we hope to see you again soon! We shall be looking for a bigger venue for our next event!

5. HEARING IMPAIRMENT SERVICE UPDATE
from Mrs. Gill Pillar, Head
of the Hearing Impairment Service.
In January we welcomed Mrs. Katie Tingley
to the service as a Teacher of the Deaf. Katie will be based in the Listen and
Learn Centre at Crestwood School.
Following a consultation with parents via the Children's Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG), the DUDLEY DEAF CHILDREN'S SOCIETY have very kindly agreed to purchase a hearing aid care kit for all families. This will help ensure that all hearing aids are maintained in good order. Workshops will be arranged so that training can be provided to use the packs. Watch this space - and many, many, thanks to the DDCS!

6. EASTER EGG COMPETITION There
are three age ranges:
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.uk
" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply for the NDCS FAMILY FUN DAY and EXHIBITION 16^TH JUNE 2008, CREWE.

First name……………………… Last name………………………...... Age…………

Your child's school………………………………………………………………………..

Parent/Carer details
Title Mr / Mrs / Ms ………… Name…………………………………………………....

Address…………………………………………………………………………………….

Post Code…………………… Phone number…................................................

Number of seats required on the bus: Adults…………… Children………………..

Please return the form as soon as possible to: Mrs. Debbie Gough, 258 Wolverhampton Road, Sedgley, Dudley, West Midlands. DY3 1RU

Membership Update

2008-03-02T10:18:00.001Z

Membership of DUDLEY DEAF CHILDREN'S SOCIETY is now

FREE

As a member you and you family will be sent an invitation and a very warm welcome to all our events throughout the year.

Dudley Deaf Children's Society (DDCS) is part of the National Deaf Children's Society. We are one of their 120 local groups and are a registered charity.

If you contact the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) in London you will be sent a package which contains information about all their services and a wealth of information leaflets. Most of their information is sent free to parents and they can give help with the many questions that you may have about deafness. There are also leaflets to help you apply for any benefits that may be available to children who have a hearing loss. You will also receive a copy of the National Deaf Children's Society quarterly Magazine. It is packed full of real-life stories as well as up-to-date news and developments.

Just like the NDCS, we at the DUDLEY DEAF CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
are interested in helping you as well. Whether it is for informing on Educational or Welfare issues we can try and help you. Some of the children that we help have mild or moderate hearing losses and some are severely or profoundly deaf. Some use mainly Sign Language as their only means of communication and some use just a small amount. Some are in Mainstream Schools and some are in the Resource Base at Ashwood Park Primary School or The Listen and Learn Centre at The Crestwood School. We will try and help each individual child and family in the best way that suits them.

As an example of some of the help that we give, some children need special telephones or a video and television which can display subtitles. The DDCS may be able to help pay for this special equipment, enabling the child to be more independent at home.

During the year the DDCS organise different events where families like you can meet and have fun! These events are often offered FREE to DDCS members.

Past outings include the Pantomimes at Wolverhampton and Stourbridge, Alton Towers, Ten-Pin Bowling, and Swimming Parties at Dudley Leisure Centre. Speakers have been to talk to parents about Cochlear Implants and in the future we hope to organise an evening to see and learn about the new Digital Hearing Aids. A crèche is provided for the younger children at these evening meetings.

Perhaps one of the most important ways in which the DDCS can help families like you is by providing opportunities for both parents and children the chance to MEET OTHERS and TALK! We also have a number of parents who are willing to come and have a chat with you at home or just talk on the phone.

The choice is entirely yours.

We have a web site: www.ddcs.org.uk

The site contains useful information about our service, current committee members, the newsletter, and forthcoming events. You can also add your own comments on the site and register as a member.

Thank you.

Dennise Thompson

Chairperson

Dudley Deaf Children's Society

YOU NOW NEED TO COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED FORM TO BE INCLUDED ON THE DDCS REGISTER.

Remember it is now FREE …. FREE …. FREE …. to register

If you do not reply you will no longer receive any further correspondence from the society and you and your family / child / children will not be included in any future outings, parties, activities which are organised or funded through the DDCS.

Black Country Trip 1st July 2007

2007-06-17T19:44:00.000+01:00

The Chair of the Birmingham & District Deaf Society is cordially inviting all the local Hearing Impaired children of the Dudley Deaf Children's Society to join them on a trip to the Black Country Museum.

A Carer and any deaf child may go for FREE

Additional charges for adults is only £10.00 and £6.00 for children over 5.

All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To avoid disappointment in missing out on visiting a great local attraction then contact Debbie Gough on 01902 678495 before Saturday 23rd June 2007.

DDCS Diary: The NDCS is LISTENING !! PLEASE 'SPEAK' CLEARLY !!!

2007-06-07T06:16:00.000+01:00

DDCS Diary: The NDCS is LISTENING !! PLEASE 'SPEAK' CLEARLY !!!

The NDCS is LISTENING !! PLEASE 'SPEAK' CLEARLY !!!

2007-05-31T18:18:00.000+01:00

The NDCS have arranged a parents consultation evening for:

July 3rd 7pm - 9pm

West Brom Deaf Resource Centre.

Please read more details here

(OPPOSITE HOUSE: NUMBER 10, Dagger Lane ,West Brom. B71 4BB.)

This is a local consultation meeting to address the problems of falling membership and to find out WHAT families want from the NDCS and local groups.

CHSWG Meeting

2007-01-30T06:43:00.000Z

Dear All
I have booked the next CHSWG transition meeting for Tuesday March 6th for 2:00pm. Tuesdays are most suitable for Charlotte Cleary, who will no be our new student rep.
Please reply. Agenda to follow.
Kath Apperley

Tuesday 13th February

2007-01-18T06:27:00.000Z

Are you Deaf, Hard of Hearing, deafened or
Deafblind?

Improve Access to Health Services
Worried About Your Well-Being?
Stressed? Anxious? Frustrated? Can’t cope with life?
If YES, why not come to our Forum?

We need your views!
WHEN, WHERE, WHAT TIME?
Interpreters provided

You will be paid £10.00
If you have any additional communication or mobility needs, please contact
Alison Leach, Area Development Officer.

BID Services with Deaf People, Ladywood Road, Birmingham, B16 8SZ.
Tel no: 0121 246 6100, Textphone: 0121 246 6101, Fax no: 0121 246 6125.
Email: alison.leach@bid.org.uk

It is on Tuesday 13th February

At Dudley Deaf Club, Queen’s Cross Centre, Wellington Road, Dudley, DY1 1RP
Time: 7.00pm

Sunday 4th February

2006-12-21T07:05:00.000Z

Wolverhampton Grand Aged 9-13? Interested in Drama?
Come to a workshop Inc:
Drama / physical theatre
Learn a dance with some of snow white dancers
On stage tour of set
Signed song from the show
Plus lots more
Run by Music and the Deaf

Tickets £20 and include the 2pm pantomime signed performance of snow white.
Workshop 10.30-12.30
Please note one Adult must accompany each child for the show.Pantomime ticket £20 USUAL TICKET PRICE £21.50.

Adults invited to free sounds of the panto event at 1pm and free drinks in the university of Wolverhampton room in the dress circle.
Contact Wolverhampton Grand on 01902 573308 (Minicom)

Christmas Party

2006-11-11T08:33:00.000Z

Christmas Party

We are having a party for all our Hearing Impaired youngsters. If you would like more information then please contact us

Venue:

The Oakfield Centre

Brettell Lane

Date:

26th November 2006

Time:

Noon til 2.00 pm

DDCS Diary of Events

2006-09-30T16:00:00.000+01:00

I am about to start posting information about what is going on in our area, if you would like to add to this please feel free to do so. You can also send me the details on ddcs@ddcs.org.uk