An event to promote the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing community of Newcastle is being hosted by a local inclusivity charity

Submitted by Megan Lawrence on
Heritage Open Day

SVP Deaf Centre Newcastle is a community hub that provides vital support, alongside being a strong advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.  

Dr Megan Nottingham, the Centre Manager who sits at the forefront of the Centre, has created a safe space that welcomes all whilst also undertaking policy-shaping research studies to help these communities at a level that can bring about change.  

For the first year running, the centre will host a Heritage Open Day event to celebrate the history, culture, and architecture of the historic Grade II listed Georgian building, which has been home to the SVP Deaf Centre since 1932. The event will take place on September 13 at the hub which is based on Summerhill Square: 2 Summerhill Grove, Newcastle, NE4 6EE. 

This day will also focus on promoting social inclusion and raising awareness of the work the centre does to support those who need it most. The Centre will welcome people from all communities and walks of life. 

“Communication is much more than just words being spoken. Our centre is a place where anyone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing can come together and feel safe. We want to ensure that people in Newcastle and beyond are advocated for at a level which can make a social impact,” explains Dr Megan Nottingham. 

“Following the recent announcement of British Sign Language (BSL) being taught as a GCSE from September 2025, we strongly believe this is a step in the right direction.

‘’We know there is so much more that ought to be done towards bridging gaps in communication. The voice of our community is crucial in the search for fresh solutions, therefore by taking part in academic research and innovative technology studies, together we can  work towards this goal.

“Our work of advocacy is also important. Being able to sign standard words is something we should all be able to do to promote more inclusive communication at a wider level."

The SVP Deaf Centre will celebrate the 2024 Heritage Open Day on Friday September 13 at 10AM. 

For anyone wishing to visit the centre, please contact the Admin Team by calling 0191 232 4104 or by emailing deafcentre@svp.org.uk.