Leicester Schools gets funding from the Yoppital Wonga programme

Successful Sign-Language Pilot Scheme in Leicester Schools leads to funding from the “Yoppital Wonga” programme.

Following on from the hugely successful pilot scheme launched in September 2008, taking British Sign Language into the schools of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Action Deafness are delighted to announce that they have been awarded a  grant following an application to the Leicester City Youth Opportunity and Capital Fund.

The project, called “Signing Futures” is aimed at delivering the introduction of British Sign Language (BSL) to children and young people in Leicester City.  The project will work with deaf and hard of hearing children to visit schools, youth groups and community organisations, delivering a programme of basic deaf awareness, finger-spelling and sign language skills.

15 year old Hollie Sturgess, Lead Young Person for the project said “We are very excited about this project and can’t wait to get started.  Participating children and young people will develop an awareness of the challenges facing their deaf peers whilst also becoming advocates for the integration of the deaf and hearing communities.”

Jane Holden, spokesperson for Action Deafness said “Signing Futures will benefit young people in the area by offering hearing children basic skills in finger spelling and BSL, create opportunities for deaf and hearing children and young people to integrate at various locations across Leicester, develop an understanding of manual communication practices, empower deaf and hard of hearing children within the City to be more open about their communication, social and learning needs. We hope to deliver a BSL Level 1 Summer Holiday Course aimed exclusively at Children and Young People in Leicester City which will lead to a recognised, national qualification.”

The pilot exercise tested the project across 22 schools in Leicester and the County with the outcome of a further 30 schools indicating a wish to join the programme.  Action Deafness found this difficult to fulfil as the pilot project was being run solely by volunteers, but with this cash injection from Leicester City Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds and the Young People’s Panels “Yoppital Wonga” Action Deafness will be well placed to continue to take BSL to the schools and increase deaf awareness in children from a very early age.

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