Cygnet Bury Dunes has Deaf Services including Deaf staff and patients. Deaf staff range from being a support worker to qualified nurses, therapist and activity staff. During the course of the week the team held a number of activities and events to promote and raise awareness for Deaf individuals.
Arbab Hussain, a BSL / Deaf Awareness Tutor at Cygnet Bury Dunes, said: “Education is the key to creating an atmosphere that is Deaf friendly, to allow Deaf people to live comfortably, and where hearing people can adapt to meet Deaf people’s needs. At Bury we planned a range of activities planned to highlight Deaf Awareness Week. Our theme was Deaf Identity and Culture.”
Activities included trialling a Daily Silent Hour on Bridge Hampton, along with activities to promote signing, e.g. Sign Bingo and Charades.
The team were also excited to launch a new BSL Social Club on Wednesday 7th May. The BSL Social Club will be held monthly and Deaf and hearing patients and staff were invited to the launch.
A number of staff were also involved in developing a visual catalogue of over 100 inspiring deaf people from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Arbab added: “Their pictures and inspiring achievements were displayed throughout Deaf Awareness Week to motivate and be positive role models.
“They show that Deaf people can achieve anything they set their minds to. This permanent display will reinforce to Deaf and hearing staff and patients alike, that not only have Deaf people achieved great things through the years, despite the many barriers they have faced, but that our own Deaf staff carry on that role to all their colleagues and service users.”