The National Deaf Children's Society is offering grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 for community groups, charities, and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK to deliver projects and activities that support early years deaf children (aged 0 to 5) and their families.
The Community Grants Programme will support projects that both directly and indirectly support early years deaf children, such as play schemes, peer-to-peer support for parents, or schemes to train deaf young people as role models for younger children. Proposed projects should also achieve at least one of the following objectives:
- Deaf children and their families can access relevant support to meet their needs within their communities.
- Families have access to peer support and guidance from others who are currently in, or have previously experienced, a similar situation.
- Families are supported to build confidence and skills to aid their deaf child's development, including providing knowledge and support specific to the child's needs.
- Families have access to deaf mentors/role models and a wider visibility of deaf adults. This can include empowering young deaf people to develop skills and confidence to become deaf role models and volunteers.
- Deaf children and young people have opportunities to make friends with one another, explore their deaf identity, and feel part of a community.
- Deaf children develop their communication skills through regular and consistent language exposure, interaction, and practice.
- Professionals working with deaf children, including in education and care, have the information they need to support deaf children and have high aspirations for them.
Each grant is for 12 months and is intended to cover the essential running costs of a project, such as venue hire, transport, promotional costs, wages for sessional workers, and equipment.
Applications can be submitted at any time.
