Our Villagers is available to those who have been awarded a Social Services Communication Support Package by their Local Authority (LAs) Social Services Team.
It is delivered at Our Deaf Hub and within the wider community. It is primarily aimed at the 16 – 35 age group but is open to all who need this type of communication Support Package.
- Translation and Interpreting
- Advocacy Signposting
- Developing Employability Skills
- Career Planning and Development
- Work placements in retail, childcare, early years, primary schools, holistic therapies, catering, BSL Tutor, Deaf Awareness Tutor, Trainee Wellbeing Officer, Sports Coach, Equine….
- Develop Digital Skills
- Care & Support Services
- In Work Support
- Assistant with English and Translation
- Alternative Therapies
- Developing Life Skills
- Specialist Independent Travel Training
- Money Management
- Social Events
- BSL Training Level 1-6
- Deaf Village Community
- Health & Wellbeing Activities
- Peer-to-Peer Group Support
Local Authority Service users that receive an Our Deaf Hub Communication & Wellbeing Support Package have been identified by these Local Authorities as delivering outstanding support services to their Deaf Service Users.
No other Service Provider delivers our unique communication & Wellbeing support package.
Please see the video that has been produced by Our Villagers, which demonstrates why a Deaf person needs support and is eligible for support under the Care Act;
Being one of Our Villagers is about bridging the communication gap to support these young people to progress and successfully transition out of school or college to meet their long-term aspirations.
Local colleges have also approached us for this type of support as they have identified that there is no next step for the majority of their Deaf students, but they know that they are not ready for the world just yet and the colleges are unable or do not have the facilities or resources to offer this type of specialised support for their Deaf learners.
Deaf learners leaving school or college often have to leave college with very limited employability skills, work experience, social skills and may need independent travel training as well as developing their communications skills and how to work with an interpreter in the ‘real world’. Taking all the factors into consideration, their chances of finding employment immediately after leaving college and making a successful transition to adulthood are limited and the learners are somewhat disadvantaged in comparison to their hearing peers.
Our Villagers have the opportunity of a service that offers them a 1-1 wrap-around support within the community and develop their Independent Life Skills and employability prospects in a safe, supportive environment that means their support needs are continued to be met after school or college life.
Our Villagers meet at Our Deaf Hub, with the Deaf Village where they can access the facilities and Services, delivered by our specialist staff. Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen for life skills, a community garden, IT to develop digital skills, holistic therapies, specialist career guidance, money management, translation, outreach in the wider community and being involved with a variety of projects that enrich lives and the community as a whole.
Our Villagers also have use of our Grill Kotta which is set next to the Deaf Hub in beautiful woodland and accessible by public transport, it seats up to 25 people with a central cooking grill and is designed for gatherings and social events, it is round so that communication is fluid due to no visible obstructions for signing and using facial expressions and gestures required for using sign language.
Our Villagers – Projects
Deaf Village Community Garden: In development is our Deaf Village Community Garden within the Deaf Village, to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, whilst continuing to build a cohesive bond between the Deaf and hearing Community, reducing isolation, cultural misconceptions, and help improve mental health, through physical and green exercise, for the benefit of the local community.
A positive aim is to involve the community to help raise more Deaf Awareness and learn about Deaf Community and Culture. With the benefit of:
- Improving mental health, increase self-esteem and life satisfaction, and reduce stress
- A positive way to engage with nature, meet others, get active and green exercise
- Continue to form stronger local networks
- Gain new knowledge
With the added benefit that healthier communities: Local food growing can help people make better eating choices, while green exercise is linked to better mental and physical health
Deaf Village Theatre Group: Working in Partnership with the Arts Council and the Empire Theatre in Blackburn, we have established this theatre group to create emotional, moving performances using BSL. Watch out for news of our next performance.
Deaf Village Football Team: Working in Partnership with Blackburn Rovers FC & Blackburn Rovers FC – Community College, we are establishing the Deaf Village BRFC, accessible to all, with men’s, women’s, children’s and mixed teams that will compete in the Deaf Football League.
Spotlight on Tom
Meet Tom – We asked him to tell us her story about her time at Our Deaf Hub.