Finding my voice is helping to bring about change

Our new series of stories highlight how local parents/carers and young people are getting involved and using their voice and experience to help improve SEND services and support.

This month you can read an inspiring story from Robena Sheikh, one of our parent/carer ambassadors:

“I never give up on getting the right support for my son. I have learned to speak up and say what he needs. I feel I have found my voice and I have used it to help with shaping and improving services for other families. My main message to other families is your voice counts!” Read Robena’s story.

To get involved as a parent/carer ambassador, email: SENDT&C@bradford.gov.uk

Photo: Robena (pictured to the right) at a SEND Ambassadors catch up.

What's on at Bradford Family Hubs 

Family Fun Day - Reevy Hill Family Hub
Weds, 29 May, 10.30am until 3pm

Parent and Carer Wellbeing Day - Rainbow Family Hub. Weds, 5 June, 10am until 2pm 

Watch out for other upcoming activities and events on the Bradford Family Hub Facebook pages and the FYI 'whats on' webpage here. 

• Facebook - Bradford East
• Facebook - Bradford West
• Facebook - Bradford South
• Facebook - Shipley/Keighley

Hanson Academy deaf students work to reduce barriers to accessing museum displays 

The Deaf Resourced Provision based at Hanson Academy has been working with the National Science and Media Museum to help curate and contribute to a new ‘Sound and Vision’ gallery, opening as part of the Bradford City of Culture 2025 celebrations!

Students have worked with museum staff over a series of workshops called ‘Snapshots.’ They have learnt about the history of photography, changes to photographic technology over time, how the gallery curates its collections and designs its displays, and considered barriers that they and other deaf young people face to access culture and knowledge such as in a museum.

In April, museum staff came to Hanson Academy to continue this work. Artist Eddy Philips created a tapestry of the day, recording the contributions of students throughout the workshop sessions. Students were challenged to do things such as justify decisions on a display they created, consider changes to briefs based on the viewpoints of others, and suggest how more deaf young people can be engaged by the museum.

The museum staff were delighted with the contributions the students made, and have gifted two instant cameras to the provision to support the student’s enthusiasm for photography. The group have also been invited to view the gallery ahead of its official opening, so they can see the work they contributed to and which will be on public display for 30 years.

What a fantastic display of working together to help reduce barriers faced by other deaf people within the district.

Children sign in British Sign Language at Bradford Schools Prom 2024!

Eariler this Spring the Deaf Resourced Provision from Girlington Primary School had an exciting opportunity to take part in Bradford Schools’ Prom 2024 at St George’s Hall!

The Bradford Schools’ Prom, organised by Bradford’s Music and Arts Service, showcased a wide variety of performances from primary and secondary school children such as dance and pop acts as well as performances by the Bradford Youth Wind Orchestra.

The deaf pupils from Girlington all had such a great day, with rehearsals in the afternoon and pizzas in a restaurant before the performance in the evening. They performed alongside other schools and signed a couple of popular songs in British Sign Language (BSL) in front of a large audience, which included their families and friends. 

Shows like these allow deaf pupils’ confidence to grow and promote the use of BSL in a fun and exciting way. Performing the songs in front of a large audience is an experience they will always remember.

Well done to all the children who took part, it sounds like they were so brave to stand up and sign in front of such a huge audience! Fantastic!

Bradford's support team for deaf children 

Can you tell us about the team?

We are part of the children's sensory and physical needs service, and are a team of specialist teachers, support workers, deaf instructors and other professionals who work across the district.

The team provide expert teaching, support and outreach work to children and young people who are deaf or multi-sensory impaired.

What age of children do you support?

We support children with an aidable deafness from birth to 19 (from when deafness is confirmed until a child leaves school). We also support young people if they stay on in school 6th form.

How does deafness often get noticed?

Deafness can be picked up at a number of different times throughout a child's life. Babies have a newborn hearing screening while they are under 3 months of age, then children will get tested in school as part of their school nursing checks. Parents or school staff can refer to our service at any time if they have concerns.

What support can you give to a deaf child?

Depending on the type and degree of a child's deafness, we support with hearing aids and cochlear implants issued by the hospital, we deliver training, give advice to schools and help children and their families understand their deafness, to become confident and independent with the skills necessary for adulthood.

What is it like listening through hearing aids?

All deaf children have different listening experiences depending on the degree and type of their deafness. Hearing aids and cochlear implants give better access to sounds but they do not give normal hearing and deaf children still rely on a range of cues to help them understand, listen and learn.

What can a parent do if they have concerns about a child's hearing?

We recommend speaking to a nursery or school nurse in the first instance, health visitor or GP. Read more about the team and how they get referrals for support here.

Parent and carer support group

Tuesday 21 May 2024, 10.30am or 7.30pm:

This month's topic: supporting your child - Anger & Frustration  

The parent support group is an online group, facilitated by NHS mental health practitioners. The group is a safe space for parents to get together, share your experiences and build positive relationships. On the day the group will talk about what self-esteem is, what can impact self-esteem, and how to build and support positive self-esteem. 

If you would like to join the session, email: mhstparentsupport@bdct.onmicrosoft.com 

Join Bradford, Keighley and Craven mental health support group (called Raising Yorkshire Puddings) on Facebook.  

The course gives the opportunity to use a safe and controlled course to have fun and help improve wheelchair skills and manoeuvres. 

This group is supported by the Active Travel Social Prescribing Project and delivered by Experience Community.

If taking part you will need to have a physical disability, use of a non-motorised manual wheelchair and be available to attend for 6 weeks. 

Dates: Monday 10 June  – Monday 15 July (weekly on Mondays)
Either 10am – 12.30pm or 1.30pm – 4pm, at Manningham Mills Community Centre, Lilycroft Road, Bradford BD9 5BD

Limited spaces available, email: Info@experiencecommunity.co.uk