WIREDGOV

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) will now expand its successful parent support project to more English regions thanks to half a million pounds from the Big Lottery Fund. Today 57 projects share in £17.6 million from the Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.

Around 480 parents and carers of deaf children will be able to attend two courses to help improve their ability and confidence in supporting their children whilst also connecting them into peer support networks. Positive Families Plus will link in with the new NDCS workplan on access and equality which supports vulnerable families with at least one deaf child. 

In addition to attending Being the Parent of a Deaf Child and Family Sign Language courses, parents will be able to attend taster sessions before signing up for the full course. As part of the courses parents will also be able to meet and share their experiences whilst learning how to effectively support their deaf child’s emotional and social development. Parents who are unable to attend the longer courses will be able to attend family days which will be tailored with topics appropriate to those who have signed up.

Alongside this, NDCS will work with 36 community organisations to raise awareness and understanding of deafness to help families of deaf children feel more accepted and included in community activities.

NDCS will now deliver its parent support work in Eastern England, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber in addition to North West England, East Midlands and London.

Susan Daniels, CEO at the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “We are delighted to receive a grant from the Big Lottery Fund for our Positive Families Plus project. These funds will enable us to work closely with families of deaf children, improving their parenting skills by not only supporting their child’s development, but also increasing their confidence when participating in community activities with their child. This project will ensure that deaf children continue to have every opportunity to reach their full potential.”

A full list of the 57 projects sharing in £17.6 million is available here

Click here to find out more about NDCS.

Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @biglotteryfund #BigLottery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund

For funding and general enquiries call:
BIG Advice Line: 0345 4 10 20 30

Notes to editors

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes. 
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £32 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.