We currently have almost 100 children, both Deaf and Hearing signed up for the DC Family Hub. We run activities for them every Easter, Summer and Christmas during the holidays. Our aim is to give them as wide a variety of activities as possible and to open them up to experiences they might not otherwise have. 

In the past year they’ve had outings to two National Trust properties and a nature reserve. We’ve taken them to Tennis, Rugby and Cricket skills days, including a trip to Consett Rugby Club when they provided the guard of honour for the teams coming on to the pitch. The arts also provide a large part of their activities. At Christmas there was a Deaf inclusive performance of The Frog Prince and a trip to see A Christmas Carol. 

The children have also been to a puppet making workshop, attended a drama class led by a Deaf actor and a BSL story time. We are very fortunate to have talented volunteers who can lead crafts sessions for us, and the children have made a variety of things from Christmas lanterns and angels to woven friendship bracelets and origami flowers. We do focus on the work of their hands, seen as important tool for communication.

There have been more serious educational activities too. We spent a day with the Police where the children learnt about keeping safe and at Easter a team from NatWest bank visited to deliver a workshop on how to be wise about money. We work with football, cricket and rugby teams across the North East offering disability inclusive sessions. Soon we will start to offer badminton sessions delivered by the Deaf European Badminton Champion!

Another important feature of the DC Family Hub days is that each child receives a nutritious lunch. Most of our children receive free school meals and this puts extra financial burdens on their families during the holidays. Knowing that they will be well fed here takes some of that pressure off for which our parents are grateful.