THE National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) is searching for local deaf volunteers and hearing volunteers to help at a range of events for deaf children and their families. NDCS is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. Any potential volunteers would need to have a minimum of Level 1 British Sign Language or equivalent and preferably Level 2. The charity organises events for deaf children and their families ranging from information weekends for families whose child's deafness has just been identified, through to fun activity weekends and longer holidays for older children. Volunteers help run the events as well as providing vital communication support. Rachel Xerri, NDCS volunteer coordinator explains: "The events we run give deaf children and young people the chance to socialise and make new friends. "Learning new skills really helps to build up deaf children's confidence and we urgently need more volunteers to help us with this vital work. The events we run for families are also very popular. "Volunteering is great fun and really does make a difference to the lives of deaf children throughout the UK. "All new volunteers receive a weekend of free training (with travel expenses paid) which covers all aspects of volunteering with the NDCS, a chance to meet and network with other volunteers, develop groupwork skills and understand behaviour management, child protection and communication skills." Abigail Heister from Kent is an NDCS volunteer, and has helped at NDCS summer camps: "As a volunteer I have been welcomed to the team and though I have only been with the charity for just over a year, it feels as though I have known everyone for much longer. "So many people from so many backgrounds come together with the aim of enriching the lives of deaf and hard-of-hearing children throughout the UK. "Everyone works together and gets stuck in helping with all manner of jobs from washing up, to overcoming their own fears of heights whilst reassuring others it is not at all scary!" Three babies are born deaf every day and 90 per cent of deaf children are born to hearing parents with little experience of deafness. For more information about volunteering for NDCS events, contact 0121 234 9826 (voice/text) or alternatively email: [email protected]">[email protected]. All volunteers will need to provide two references and will be CRB checked by the NDCS.
