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  • Deaf Access Bedfordshire | British Sign Language | Bedfordshire, UK

    Deaf Access Bedfordshire supports the 135,000 people in our region with hearing loss. We run deaf awareness and BSL training, organise community activities, supply BSL interpreters and offer a FREE advice service. Making Bedfordshire a place where deaf and hard of hearing people can access everything needed to live, work, study, and relax. Services We Offer DEAF SPACE Free BSL-accessible information, advice & guidance. More Info DEAF FITNESS Weekly, BSL-accessible, inclusive fitness classes. More Info DEAF COFFEE MORNING Free drop in social morning for BSL users. More Info DEAFinately AWESOME KIDS Social events, BSL classes and support. More Info DEAF WELLBEING Fully BSL-accessible workshops to share information and skills More Info BSL & DEAF AWARENESS Taster classes, foundation courses and bespoke training. More Info BSL CAFE Welcoming and supportive, free BSL practice and social sessions. More Info INTERPRETING &TRANSLATION Providing qualified interpreters and high quality translations. More Info EVENTS & COMMUNITY Working with partners to raise awareness and promote inclusion . More Info Our Mission Catherine Wright, Founder and Chair of Trustees When myself and some friends founded Access Bedford (as we were known then), back in 2014 it was because we realised there was a real problem for deaf families, like mine, who were unable to access services - everything from healthcare and voting to youth groups and social and cultural support. We knew, back then that it would be a battle to change hearts and minds, but we wanted to make Bedfordshire a place where the deaf community could live, work, learn and relax and feel included. Here we are 10 years later and although there have been some really significant improvements both locally and nationally, and we have the BSL Act to support our requests for access, as a community we are also still marginalised and battling many of the same barriers. With the growth of our team, we are starting to see a shift in Bedfordshire, from support with funding, to an increase in the number of people accessing our services. I am hopeful that in the next 10 years, Deaf Access Bedfordshire (as we're known now!) will no longer need to fight to give the 135,000 deaf people in our community access to basic services, and that we will be able to focus much more on education and skills development, teaching the hearing community to sign, supporting deaf children and their families to gain early access to language, and bringing the BSL GCSE to our local schools. Find out how you can support us, here .

  • BSL and Deaf Awareness Training | Deaf Access Bedford

    British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness training, courses, tasters and qualifications. BSL & Deaf Awareness Training Training & Education We offer bespoke BSL and Deaf Awareness Training for Businesses, Non-profit, Education and Public/Community Groups. From 6-week BSL Foundation Courses to Bespoke Deaf Awareness training tailored to your specific needs, we can help you to make your organisation or community more welcoming, accessible and and inclusive for the 135,000 deaf people who live, work, study and relax right next to you. Let's Work Together Get in touch to discuss how we can work with you to make Bedfordshire an inclusive place to live, work, study and relax. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting! Community BSL course for Signs Of Unity Event with Queen's Park Community Organisation and Pride of Place-Bedford 2024 Foundation BSL course for members of the public 2024 Community BSL course for Signs Of Unity Event held at Eagles Bookshop. Free course funded by Queen's Park Community Organisation and coordinated with Pride of Place-Bedford 2024 Bespoke Intro to BSL class for staff at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service 2024 BSL Foundation Course for members of the public 2024 Deaf Awareness Training for staff at University of Bedford Deaf Awareness Training for Bedford Borough Council BSL Foundation Class - 2023 Bespoke 1/2 day Intro to BSL class for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service BSL Taster Session. Free session for members of the Public in Bedford. We support deaf people to train as BSL tutors to deliver Family BSL classes, Deaf Awareness Training and BSL courses, significantly benefiting deaf children and their families and increasing understanding and inclusion in the wider hearing community. Our BSL courses, available to families, businesses, and members of the public, bridge communication gaps and promote community understanding. Funds raised by our Team in the Bedford Running Festival enable us to offer limited numbers of free places for deaf attendees. Our CPD-accredited courses help professionals fulfill their required CPD hours, and anyone interested can attend. Message training@accessbedford.org.uk for details of the next course. You can support us to train more deaf people to teach and to support more deaf people to learn BSL here: Donate

  • BSL Cafe | Deaf Access Bedford

    BSL practice sessions in Bedfordshire for students, interpreters, TSLIs, CSWs and anyone with an interest in using British Sign Language. Free, and family friendly. BSL Café We run a regular meet up for all BSL users, from native signers and interpreters to complete beginners. This safe, welcoming and inclusive space gives our deaf friends a welcoming place to catch up and socialise and provides our hearing allies with the opportunity to practice their BSL. The Café creates links and friendships across communities. Families welcome. Where : The Embankment Pub, Bedford MK40 3PD When: 3rdSaturday of the Month from 9:30am - 11:30am. Cost: Free! (donations welcome) (There is free parking available at Sainsburys on Bunyan Road) Hosted by one of our deaf BSL tutors, these sessions aim to support new learners gain skills and confidence Let us know you're coming! Book online here

  • Deaf Coffee Morning | Deaf Access Bedford

    Coffee Morning for Deaf BSL users. Located in Bedford Town Centre with lots of free parking, we welcome British Sign Language users from across the UK to join us for this free social event. Deaf Coffee Morning Where: The Place Theatre, Bradgate Rd, Bedford, MK40 3DE When: We meet every other Friday between 11am - 2pm Cost: Free to attend. Tea, coffee, cold drinks and snacks available to buy at the bar, please feel free to bring your own lunch. Meeting Dates ~ Spring 2025: 21st Feb 7th March 21st March 4th April 18th April LOTS of free parking. Please be aware - we do not guarantee there will be BSL interpreters or communicators at this activity as it is not a teaching or practice session. Our Deaf Coffee Morning is a safe and welcoming place for BSL and SSE users to meet, chat and feel included. Our Deaf Coffee Morning provides a social lifeline for Deaf BSL and SSE users, particularly those aged 50-90, combating isolation and fostering community connections. Our welcoming and friendly group helps to strengthen community ties, increase visibility, and attract new service users as the group continues to grow. People travel from across Bedfordshire - and beyond - to attend our Coffee Mornings. These gatherings are funded by dontations and the sponsorship rasied by our team at Bedford Running Festival, as well as a winter suppliment from the Welcoming Spaces grant at Bedford Borough Council. The coffee morings are held in private spaces, providing a safe place for service users to communicate in their first/preferred language without fear of prejudice or discrimination. You can support our work and enable us to continue running our Deaf Coffee Morning, here: Donate

  • Deaf Space | Deaf Access Bedford

    Our FREE Information, Guidance and Advice service for the deaf community across Bedfordshire, with free access to Qualified Interpreters and Communication Support Workers. Appointment only. Deaf Space This is our free Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service with access to Qualified BSL communicators and interpreters. If you have hearing loss we can help you with a wide range of personal and private matters, from finances, legal matters and medical issues, to divorce and funeral arrangements. Request an Appointment From June 2024 - May 2025 this service is funded to run one day a week by Bedford Luton Community Foundation through the Frank Branston Fund. What Is Deaf Space ? Deaf Space Testimonials All Videos All Categories Play Video Play Video 01:04 2024 Deaf Space Support Areas Play Video Play Video 00:47 Barbara Our Deaf Space Advisory Service bridges the gap in support for the deaf community that statutory services and other charities often miss due to lack of BSL skills and budget for interpreters. This service provides free access to qualified BSL Interpreters and Communication Support Workers with Information, Advice and Guidance Qualifications, helping deaf individuals navigate various life challenges. The service has been in high demand since its post-COVID reinstatement, underscoring its place as an essential service for the 135,000 deaf people across the region. You can help us to continue this work by making a donation here: Donate

  • Deaf Wellbeing | Deaf Access Bedford

    Workshops, training, activities and skills development - accessible to the deaf community and BSL users with free access to Interpreters and communication support workers. Deaf Wellbeing We offer BSL-interpreted workshops, information events, videos and accessible documents to help keep our community safe and informed. This project is kindly funded by the Harpur Trust up until March 2025 To find out what's coming up and book your place, visit our online booking page HERE JOIN US! Saturday 22nd March 10:30am - 12:30pm: British Deaf Association - 'Know Your Rights' 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Bob Rose Memorial Cost: Free Where: The Place Theatre - Bedford, MK40 3DE BDA Presentation - Know Your Rights 10:30am - 12:30pm This event is vital for anyone who is deaf or has hearing loss, or is the primary carer for someone with hearing loss. It is especially important for BSL users. The presentation will cover deaf people's legal rights around education, healthcare and more. The team will explain the laws which protect Deaf people's rights, how to get support to defend your rights and how to make use of the technology available to improve access and equality. Bob Rose Memorial 12:30pm - 1:30pm You may be aware that we sadly lost our friend, colleague and important member of the Deaf community, Bob (Jagjeet) Rose back in December last year. After the presentation, Deaf Access Bedfordshire will be holding a short memorial to share memories of Bob and the huge impact he had on our community and beyond. Anyone who knew Bob is welcome to join us for this celebration and moment of reflection, followed by drinks in the bar until 1:30pm. (You do not need to have attended the BDA presentation to join us for this event) If you would like to share a memory of Bob at the memorial, please send us your words or video for inclusion. Email: info@accessbedford.org.uk by 14th March. You are invited to join us for the whole event, or feel free to attend just the presentation or only the memorial—whichever works best for you.BSL Interpreters and Communicators will be present throughout. Book Here Rainbow Bedford 2024 Proud to be here. Rainbow Bedford Festival Sadika teaches a crowd some key LGBTQ+ signs and the colours of the rainbow! Strictly Deaf Dancing Fun and inclusive partner dance class taught by professional Dance Teacher Jo Wilcox, from Ceroc. Movement is essential to mental and physical wellbeing. Deaf Fit Deaf inlusive fitness class delivered by Back to the Fitness as part of our Deaf Active Day. Movement is essential for our mental and physical wellbeing. Deaf Fit Deaf inlusive fitness class delivered by Back to the Fitness as part of our Deaf Active Day. Movement is essential for our mental and physical wellbeing. Diabetes Awareness Talk Information stand and talk given by Bedford Diabetes Service, with BSL Interpreters to enable full access to information. Rainbow Bedford 2023 BSL support for the Rainbow Bedford 2023 event. Inclusion comes in all the colours of the rainbow! Health Watch Bedford Borough Women's Health Event Information stand and communication support for women in Bedford to access vital health and wellbeing information in a safe and inclusive setting.

  • Family Support | Deaf Access Bedford

    Support for families of deaf and hard of hearing children and deaf parents. We offer social events and Family BSL classes in Bedfordshire. Family BSL Our Family BSL and DEAFinitely Awesome Kids social events offer support, tips and connection to parents of deaf children. Most deaf children are born into hearing families, with parents who may never have met a deaf person or considered how to communicate and connect with someone who cannot hear them. We welcome deaf parents to our family groups, which are supported by BSL communicators, supporting new parents to meet other families at a similar stage and share tips, experiences and ask questions. Our sessions help parents to build their network and find their space as parents in the deaf community, to support this integral part of their child's identity and to thrive as a family. We offer regular social activities and will be bringing our Family BSL classes back to Bedford in 2025. For more information, email: info@accessbedford.org.uk or check our bookings page for upcoming events. Get a Free Quote This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content. First Name Last Name Email Send Thanks for submitting!

  • About | Deaf Access Bedfordshire

    Who are Deaf Access Bedfordshire and what do we do? Support for deaf, hard of hearing, BSL users, lip readers, hearing aid users, cochlear implant users, hearing loss. Support for adults and children. Support for families. Deaf Awareness Training for individuals, schools, nurseries, businesses and statutory organisations. BSL courses. RSLI, TSLI, Interpreters and communication support workers. About Us Deaf Access Bedfordshire provides services predominantly in Bedford Borough, but with services users traveling to us from Dunstable, Luton, Milton Keynes, Central Bedford, St Albans, Olney, Northampton, Leighton Buzzard and occasionally across from Cambridge and up from London. As a charity serving a minority community, we know that the deaf world is a small world - we welcome visitors and friends from beyond Bedfordshire as an important opportunity for our service users to access their deaf culture and society. 2013 A group of friends established a community group and youth social group for the deaf and hard of hearing community in Bedford, determined that their community should have better access to services, events, activities and education. 2014 Access Bedford was registered as a charity, and began working with local partners such as Health Watch and the Police to improve communication with the Deaf community, as well as holding a fully BSL-accessible Hustings for the candidates for the 2015 General Election, going on to hold Casino nights and Balls for fundraising and awareness events and setting up a social meeting to support older deaf people in the community. 2022 Access Bedford appointed the first paid member of staff dedicated to the charity and to promoting its aims. This came about as the ripples of the Covid-19 Pandemic were still being felt. Contacts with partner organisations had moved on, people were still nervous to come to social events, and fundraising efforts had been on hold for two years. The focus was on stability in preparation for growth. 2024 After consultation with service users, partner organisations and allies, the decision was announced that Access Bedford will become Deaf Access Bedfordshire - putting Deaf first and reaching more of the people who need us. We are very proud to have been able to grow our reach, to support 100s of service users and to have delivered BSL and Deaf Awareness training to over 2000 people in the last 4 years. We celebrated a decade of commitment to change at our AGM in May 2024 reflecting on the successes of both individuals we have supported and of the charity as a whole. KEY FACTS Some key facts about the community we serve: 18 million deaf adults 50,000 deaf children There are estimated to be over 18 million deaf adults and approximately 50,000 deaf children in the UK today. Deaf Access Bedfordshire serves an area with a total population of 675, 599 Districts of Bedfordshire With 1 in 5 people in the UK having some form of hearing loss, that gives us a potential regional population of 135,000 deaf and hard of hearing people. We want to ensure that every deaf and hard of hearing person in our region knows where they can get support, knows how to find community and commonality and shared identity, and that they feel proud to live in Bedfordshire, confident that they will be included, welcomed and understood wherever they go and who ever they meet. Size, Diversity & Living Standards Bedford Population 173,237 Central Bedford Population 285,931 Luton Population 218,045 75% white British population 25% non-white British population 90% white British population 10% non-white British population 45% white British population 55% non-white British population 51% non-deprived household 49% deprived household 54% non-deprived household 46% deprived household 41% non-deprived household 59% deprived household Luton, Bedford and Central Bedford rank 109th, 110th and 111th most deprived out of 326 regions across England. We have multiple barriers to access in our community, compounded by socioeconomic challenges, spoken language barriers, the cost of living crisis and generational trauma. The average deaf child leaves school with a reading age of nine. We need to support service providers across our region to understand these challenges and to do better. There are countless challenges for our D/deaf communities, and as a charity run by and for the community, we are very aware of where those struggles lie. However, it is important to recognise the opportunities, the positive developments in society and the strength, abilities and resilience of our community as we make plans for our place in Bedfordshire in the coming years. Our ambition for Bedfordshire is to be a region where deaf people can live, work, study, visit and age well. For it to be a place where inclusion is automatic, not asked for, and where the D/deaf and hard of hearing community are recognised for the value they bring and the contribution they make to our society.

  • Online Booking | Deaf Access Bedford

    Book activities and training with Deaf Access Bedfordshire Book Online

  • Meet The Team | Deaf Access Bedford

    Our Team We take great pride in our dedicated team of trustees and staff who work tirelessly to support the deaf community. Our team is composed of passionate individuals, each bringing their unique skills and expertise to ensure we deliver the best services possible. Board of Trustees Our trustees include two profoundly deaf individuals, two parents of deaf children, and a registered BSL interpreter, with 80% of the team having a disability. They bring valuable lived experiences, from personal experience of deafness to supporting deaf children and breaking communication barriers. Their skills span social work, IT, finance, community engagement, interpreting, marketing, event planning, and leadership, enabling us to effectively meet the diverse needs of our community. Catherine Wright Founder & Chair of Trustees Helene Bolton Trustee & RSLI Claire Jones Trustee Ian Dellbridge Trustee Becky James Trustee

  • Privacy Policy | Deaf Access Bedford

    Introduction Welcome to Deaf Access Bedfordshire. We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. Information We Collect We may collect and process the following data about you: Personal identification information(Name, email address, phone number, etc.) Demographic information (Age, gender, etc.) Technical data (IP address, browser type, etc.) How We Use Your Information We use the information we collect in the following ways: To provide and manage our services To communicate with you, including responding to your inquiries To improve our website and services To comply with legal obligations Data Security We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. We have implemented suitable physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. Sharing Your Information We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to outside parties except as required by law. Your Data Protection Rights You have the right to: Access the personal data we hold about you Request correction of any inaccurate data Request deletion of your personal data Object to the processing of your data Request the transfer of your data to another service provider Changes to This Privacy Policy We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on our website. Contact Us If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at: Email: info@deafaccessbedfordshire.org.uk Address: [Your Charity’s Address] Privacy Statement

  • Community and Networking | Deaf Access Bedford

    We are happy to attend community and networking events to share information and increase deaf awareness. Community Engagement We are always happy to come and get involved in your community events. If you have a space for us to set up a table and share what we do with your teams and communities, let us know! Roughly 1 in 3 people in the UK have some form of hearing loss. You might not know who they are, but there will be people you live with, work with, study with, and socialise with, who can't hear you. People who are missing chunks of your conversation and who are exhausted from lipreading and the extra processing needed to understand you. We can help you to make them feel included, welcome and represented. Contact Us We love coming out and attending community events, meeting other service providers and making sure deaf and hard of hearing people - and the parents of deaf children - from all backgrounds know where we are and what we offer. If you have an event coming up, and space for us to set up a table, please get in touch !

Kindly Funded By:
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©2024 By Deaf Access Bedfordshire                Registered Charity Number 1162947

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