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June 10, 2009
Deaf youngsters get taste of Italy
Children from West Norfolk Deaf Association enjoyed a morning making – and eating! – pizzas while taking part in a new Government-funded holiday club.
The youngsters, aged between five and 16, can look forward to a wide range of activities, from street dance to cinema trips, thanks to a £20,000 grant from the short break Pathfinder project, being piloted in Norfolk.
Half-term saw the launch of the exciting new club which will run for 14 weeks of the year at the West Norfolk Deaf Association (WNDA) in Lynn.
The funding has also paid for two new members of part-time staff, meaning parents can leave their deaf children in the safe hands of a play co-ordinator and play worker, both fluent in sign language, for five hours a day, three days a week during the school holidays.
During half-term week, the children took part in a ball skills session, organised with West Norfolk Council's sports development team, a crafts and stories day and an Italian day, which saw around 14 children try their hand at pizza-making at Pizza Express restaurant in Lynn.
WNDA manager Amanda Kenny said a number of activities and trips were planned, including bowling, subtitled cinema visits, laser quest, circus skills sessions and theatre workshops with Heacham-based drama club the Lavender Hill Mob, all designed to keep children entertained and give parents a break.
There are also plans to start an All About Me project, which will see deaf role models visit and give talks to the older children.
It is an exciting time for WNDA, which has applied for a second Pathways grant to transform the upper level of the deaf centre in to a self-contained youth club, with a lift, a soft play area, a kitchen and a computer suite for the older children.
Mrs Kenny said: "We are one of many organisation applying for capital funding, so we are keeping everything crossed at the moment. The facilities could also be available for other similar groups to use, such as for Saturday clubs."
Mrs Kenny said the association also hoped to train teenagers in sign language and start a "buddy" scheme.
The teenagers would be able to go along with the deaf children to clubs with hearing members and serve as translators, or "buddies".
She added: "The children can go to mainstream clubs and be embarrassed because they don't understand the instructions given, or else miss them all together.
"The scheme could appeal to young people doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award or those who have an interest in learning sign language."
The holiday club, run with the help of volunteers, can cater for up to 20 children and sessions cost £5 a day.
l To find out more, call West Norfolk Deaf Association on 01553 773399.
http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/Deaf-youngsters-get-taste-of.5322467.jp
Posted by 4HL on June 10, 2009 12:29 PM
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