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Centenary Year 1912-2012 - Supporting Deaf & Hard of Hearing People for 100 years

The Sussex Diocesan Association for the Deaf was founded in 1912 to provide spiritual and social welfare for deaf people in Sussex.  Our President is The Lord Bishop of Chichester.

The Headquarters and offices have been based in Brighton since the Association began.  Since 1982 the Head Office is based in Carlton Hill, Brighton with Community Hall and Information Service available to anyone with a hearing impairment. We also have venues and Outreach Support based in Bexhill, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing. Facilities are provided for social activities and include Leisure & Social Clubs, Darby & Joan Clubs, and a Youth Clubs.   

The offices in Brighton are open daily 9.30am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. We operate a Community Support & Information Service throughout the different venues during the week; where help is given in finding employment, accommodation and with the personal, everyday problems of deaf people and their families. The Association also runs Signature Accredited Level 1 Classes in British Sign Language at Brighton Deaf Centre and gives talks and training on Deaf Awareness to local agencies, schools, companies and other service providers. This can be either at their office or at Brighton Deaf Centre.

The Association is concerned with the welfare and spiritual needs of deaf people in Sussex. Church Services are conducted in both Sign Language and speech. Services are held at churches in Brighton, Crawley, and Burgess Hill, to name a few.  Until September 2007 for around 50 years, the Association provided a base in Hastings were a specially built chapel was provided. During that time the chapel had beautiful stained glass windows, one of which depicted signing hands. Unfortunately due to vandalism and a shortage of funding in the immediate area to keep the building going it was decided that the building is to be sold.  Again in April 2009, the decision was taken to close our office in Worthing after 5 years due to funding restrictions in the West Sussex area.

The staff currently consists of the Manager, three community workers, two support workers, one clerical and several local volunteers some full time and part time, who kindly give up their time to help in the office and with the Arts & Crafts Club for the Deaf & Deaf Blind. The Social Clubs are managed by deaf members and cover a wide range of interests. Frequent reciprocal visits are made to other deaf clubs in the country.

An Executive Committee has overall responsibility of the charities management, services and activities. 90% of our Committee is deaf service user led of which is vitally important as they represent many users who do not have the confidence to speak up. The members include a representative from the Diocesan board for social responsibility, the Social Services department of East and West Sussex, a representative from Hamilton Lodge School and deaf members from various areas of Sussex. The members work hard to help the Association maintain it’s care of the deaf and deafblind people in Sussex. The meetings always have a sign language interpreter.

In order to help fund the work, the Association makes two annual appeals. One is the Ephphatha Appeal, which goes to all the parishes in the diocese. A Christmas appeal is sent out to our regular subscribers and other interested parties.

In April 2012 we will be celebrating our centenary and plan to have various celebrations throughout 2012.

BSL Stained Glass Windows which were present in the chapel at Hastings Deaf Centre

We are approved Contractors for the following

Councils;

Working in Partnership in East Sussex with;

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