Winter 2025 Newsletter
Interview with our Ambassador Imy Harris
Review of 2025!
Support us here: Get involved in 2026
Tel: 01452 372999 Mobile/BSL: 07875 610860 email: admin@gda.org.uk
Contents
Message from GDA - page 3 A look back at 2025 - Page 4&5 GDA Services News Children’s Services - Page 6 Wellbeing Services - Page 7 Interpreting & Equipment - Page 8 New Ear Health Checks - Page 9 Training - page 10
Feature - Imy Harris is reclaiming her deaf identity - p 11 Volunteering - page 12
Q & A - A Voluteering Life - page 13 Thank you to our Funders- page 14
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Fundraising for GDA - page 15 Give as you Live - Page 16 Book Events for 2026 - Page 17 Captioned performances - Where can I go? - page 18 Ear Health - Page 19 Contact details - Back page
Hello from GDA Welcome to our Winter 2025 newsletter! We hope you’ve had a great year and are ready to settle into the season of ‘hygge’ with us (Hygge is a Danish word for cosy comfort during the darker nights.)
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In this edition of our Newsletter, you’ll hear all about what we’ve been up to and the many activities, new services, support and events we have for you to get involved in. We also look back at our special highlights of the year and invite you to come and connect with us at one of our events, courses or fundraisers in 2026. We meet our new ambassador Imy and chat with one of our longest serving super-volunteers. You’ll find lots of inspiration and ways to get involved in these pages. We’re here for you and it’s when we gather together that we can really make an impact for each other and keep our special community thriving!
The GDA Team
A look back at 2025 2025 has been a pivotal year for GDA. Filled with innovation, new services and dedication from our team, volunteers and the donors who support our mission - to enable every deaf person in Gloucestershire to live independent lives of confident participation.
A Space for Connection GDA continued to host successful gatherings this year. Highlights included the Teddy Bear’s Hearing Aid clinic where children could role play to explore their identity, a trip to a Deaf Rave full of positive deaf role models and our home-from-home much loved lunch club.
A Centre of Learning The centre has buzzed with learning this year - our lipreading circle has flourished, we’ve held workshops for parents and children and our ‘Deaf awareness’ team have been teaching the community at large how to be inclusive. BSL Level 1 students joined us all year and we launched our new ‘Sign and Social’ group, a unique volunteer-led group for new BSL learners.
With you for a lifetime This year we launched new services which mean GDA can support deaf people from cradle to grave. Our new Dalmatian pups group supports new borns and their families from the moment they are diagnosed to allow them to find peer support and connect to our community. This service completes our 360 approach to making sure we are alongside you at every stage of life, whether you need help with equipment, ear health, interpreters or accessible information. GDA supported children, teens, parents, adults and seniors, people isolated at home or care and supported several treasured members of our community as they completed their lives. Their memories and legacy will live on in our community. Overall it has been a challenging but positive year with many changes but our aim is always to bring the best possible service to the community who makes us who we are. Read on, to find out more about each of our current services.
2025
Book events https://www.gda.org.uk/events here
GDA Services Update Children, Young People & Families Our CYPF services has had an exciting year with sold out events such as our Dalmatians trip to the Riding School for the Deaf and The Teddy Bear hearing aid clinic:- children brought toys to receive a 3D printed hearing aid or CI and take part in the ‘See it, Be it’ exhibition from #ToyLikeMe featuring hundreds of inspiring deaf role models. Representation and role models really matter for our youngsters. Taking care of their bear at the clinic is affirming and helps them articulate their experience and feel pride in their deaf identity. The children were encouraged by the display of positive role models to envisage their own future and dream big! This Autumn we continued the fun with a Hallowe’en minibeasts session, a Musicworks creative workshop and of course our Christmas events! Our Nxt Gen group was honoured with an ‘Active Impact’ Pioneer Award for its work with teens. Young people engaged with science sessions, enjoyed a reptile encounter and cookery session with Wiggly Wigglers and also took part in a workshop to envision the future of our service for teens and young adults. We invited them to become leaders in co-creating a programme that serves them and we are putting together an exciting range of events directly informed by their choices. All deaf and hard of hearing tweens and teens and their siblings are welcome. We have a ‘Total Communication’ environment where signing or speaking or non-verbal communication is supported so come along and get involved! We have trips to Deaf Rave and a circus skills workshop planned along with a Music Works session where you can learn how to DJ and make your own music. ANNOUNCING A NEW BABY GROUP! We’re excited to announce our new baby and toddler group, Baby Dalmatians – a mixed baby group where deaf newborns, toddlers and children (up to 4 yrs) can feel at home along with their siblings, and also CODAs. Our Dalmatian puppies will be supported by GDA in collaboration with the Early Learning Village. Run by Beth, a Deaf BSL user, with specialist services and input from health visitors, NDCS and early years practitioners this will be a truly joined-up service. Bring your little one along for peer support and fun-filled sessions full of creativity, connection and play. Beth will be joined by a member of the GDA team, so there’s always someone on hand for support. Book tickets for all events at https://www.gda.org.uk/events
Want to learn family-friendly BSL to communicate with a child or relative please call us on 01452 372999 or email us at bslcollege@gda.org.uk
Community Matters Wellbeing EVERY DAY!
Our Wellbeing service is here to help improve your quality of life. Importantly it offers the opportunity to come together and socialise and this year we had a blast with our lunch club, afternoon teas, gardening, exercise classes and some great trips out. Longleat was a highlight and when we found a member of staff there who was able to sign, it put everyone at ease and made the trip all the more enjoyable. We have a trip to the panto and Christmas dinner coming up and plenty more events throughout the colder months. LIPREADING CIRCLE IS BACK! We have a new lipreading circle taking place every Tuesday. These classes are back by popular demand and are a really enjoyable way to improve your lipreading. Michael, the session leader gives you a safe place to practice whilst making sure no one is left behind. His wonderful presentation and stories means you will be laughing whilst you learn and you will emerge with increased communication confidence and a smile on your face. CO-CREATE WITH US Over the winter we’ll be busy putting together our next raft of events and we’re gathering feedback on what events you would like to see - would you like more hard of hearing events, more information workshops, exercise classes or support with getting online? Do get in touch to let us know and be sure to book tickets for all events at https://www.gda.org.uk/events
If you or your organisation would like to book a BSL interpreter, please call us on 01452 372999 or email us at bslinterpreters@gda.org.uk
Making Life Accessible Communication: Our interpreting service continues to serve the community in Gloucestershire and has also started an initiative with the NHS this year to work towards better access to hospital trusts. Members of the community were encouraged to share their concerns and NHS representatives from three health boards came to meet with them to hear their first hand experience. GDA is working with them to improve the accessibility of their emergency department for Deaf people. If you need an interpreter you can book one through our website and our team will connect you. If you or your organisation would like to book a BSL interpreter, please call us on 01452 372999 or email us at bslinterpreters@gda.org.uk
Equipment Did you know we can provide all kinds of assistive equipment that can support your daily life. The service is free of charge for safety equipment and we also offer a whole range of items to purchase in our GDA online shop. Check out this icon on our website www.gda.org.uk NB - Be sure to check the batteries in the equipment yourself first, to avoid a call out, because many items such as flashing doorbells may rely on batteries.
Supporting Ear Health NEW! Ear Health Service GDA is now offering Ear Heath Checks and Ear Wax removal. If you’ve noticed a change in your hearing or ear discomfort it could be time for a GDA Ear Health Check carried out by trained professionals. We’ll examine your ears to identify any issues and offer personalised advice. If earwax removal is necessary (additional charge £40), we’ll carry it out using microsuction, a safe and gentle technique. If not, we’ll signpost you to the right support — whether that’s a GP referral, advice on hearing care, or other services we offer.
✔ Safe, quick and comfortable checks ✔ Honest advice tailored to you ✔ Wax removal if required
Book your Ear Health Check or Wax Removal using this link: https://www.gda.org.uk/book-online
BSL Training
GDA Training is busy throughout the winter teaching BSL Level 1 to a new cohort of learners. We’re proud of Kim our tutor who achieved a brilliant pass rate for her last students. She’s back this Autumn teaching fully accredited courses certified by Signature and also some fun learning for those interested in dipping their toe in. She’ll be introducing some short introduction to BSL courses that are perfect for businesses and people who just want to explore the Sign Language community. SIGN & SOCIAL Our Sign and Social service is complementary to our BSL teaching as it’s a place you can come and practice with fellow learners and get the opportunity to sign directly with deaf people. This is a unique group, all levels are welcome so come along and build your signing confidence. Book through our events page. A MORE INCLUSIVE GLOUCESTERSHIRE We are offering a new service - Deaf Awareness training corporate membership which is a cost effective way of ensuring your organisation or group is fully deaf aware and inclusive of deaf people. These adjustments are part of equality law to ensure deaf people aren’t disadvantaged but it’s also fun and eye opening to learn about the world through deaf eyes and experience a sign language taster. Ask your workplace to get in touch with us to arrange a session HERE Is your organisation Equality Act Compliant? Book your Deaf Awareness training at bslcollege@gda.org.uk
Imy Harris, GDA’s new Ambassador. ‘Learning sign language is something I’ve always had as a goal and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to learn at GDA’
Imy Harris is a rising star, a vogue model, participant in C4's ‘Great Pottery Throwdown’ and also, we’re proud to say, our new ambassador!. This Autumn, she’ll be taking part in our BSL Course to learn Level 1 Sign Language as, like many modern deaf children, she didn’t get the opportunity to learn BSL as a child. She felt caught between two worlds ‘too deaf for the hearing world but not deaf enough for the deaf community without knowing sign language’. When Imy was young, there was no support available for new families and it was only when Imy was a teenager that she found the GDA and met youngsters with a similar experience to her own. Imy feels strongly that this needs to change and has become an ambassador for GDA to support our work with parents and children. Our children’s service addresses this gap to make sure deaf children have a ‘total communication’ environment where they can experience positive deaf role models and gain a strong deaf identity to support their self-esteem. Imy says, ‘I think I missed out on that connection and opportunity to embrace my identity because I didn’t really know where to start, learning Sign with GDA isn’t just learning a language, for me, it’s part of reclaiming my identity. Having an interpreter can be great but I want that one on one connection to my community without having to go through somebody else, She’s excited to get started - ‘When I met the team they were really open, it’s not about who is the better than the others, everyone is learning together, everyone is in the same boat, so it’s very welcoming’. Gloucester Deaf Association is a place where all learners are welcome whether you’re a hearing person who wants to communicate with deaf people, you want to your business more inclusive or you just want to discover a fascinating new language.
Imy believes that small steps can make a big difference: ‘We all know words like ‘Ola’ or ‘Bonjour’, so why can’t people say ‘hello, how are you’ or ‘thank you’ in BSL in the place where we live’. Start your own Sign Language journey with GDA’s BSL College
Start your own BSL journey with GDA’s BSL College bsl@gda.org.uk
Our Volunteers Thank you to all our volunteers who dedicate their time to serve the community. Volunteers generously helped cut our hedges, accompanied trips, and helped do everything from setting up tables for events to doing the washing up, long after everyone has gone. Your skills and time are enormously valued! Thank you!
If you’d like to join our community by volunteering, we have plenty of opportunities to get involved, be that with our young people’s service, lunch club, community hub or trips to local attractions.
We’d love to hear from you at Volunteering@gda.org.uk 13
Kim Fletcher: Volunteer Spotlight Kim has been a volunteer at GDA for over 20 years: ’I’ve watched Deaf children grow up at GDA’
How did you first join GDA and start Volunteering? My family moved to Gloucester in 1998. Luckily I knew my old school friends from Longlevens schools, they asked me to joined Parents and Toddlers Group and the Deaf Club. I joined Cirencester Deaf Children's Club in 2011 and this is where I first volunteered . Few years later I joined Luncheon Club. Why do you feel volunteering is important? I find volunteering role very rewarding and I love "signing" to other people. Without GDA, I would be feeling 'lost', I would be very vulnerable. GDA has helped me gain independence. GDA has helped me so much that's why I 'returned' to help them. What are the biggest changes you’ve seen over time? The people haven't changed, they are still warm and friendly. It's the building and technologies have changed. I know Deaf people even myself are struggling with technology. A lot of Deaf people struggle with it because English is not their first language. The GDA IT service was brilliant. A lot of people have been asking about it returning. What memories stand out? Too many happy memories, especially Hearing parents with a Deaf child looking up at me as a Deaf lady that I can do everything/anything that ablebodied can do, apart from my ears are not working. I've been volunteering more than 20 years. I've watched Deaf Children grow up at GDA in the Deaf community to become one big family.
Volunteer with us at volunteering@gda.org.uk
Thank you to our Supporters
Thank you to all our funders, donors and fundraisers who have made our work possible this year. Grants from the following organisations are helping us build better services and a more sustainable future.
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Fundraising for GDA impacts lives
Thank you to everyone who has fundraised for us this year. We’ve seen 80k runs, 24 hour crochetathons, quizzes, staff collections, netball tournaments and a fabulous walk across the Malvern Hills.
Fundraising is fun, builds teams and delivers impact.
Get in touch with us for a fundraising pack. We will support you through the process at partnerships@gda.org.uk 13
Want to partner with us? Contact partnerships@gda.org.uk
Visit our Events Page to find out What’s on in 2026 https://www.gda.org.uk/events Find out more
Captioned performances Where can I go? Our staff member and Hard of Hearing Champion, Kat Taylor has investigated Gloucestershire venues to see what they have to offer. Here's what she found. Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Audio described, sign language interpreted and captioned performances are available. Individual show pages within the site will display symbols when these services are available. They have a sound enhancement system. Using a headset (with or without a hearing aid) you can boost the volume of the performance. Ask their ushers for your headset. Please note: this is not a loop system, it is an infra-red system. In order to use the infra-red hearing system whilst wearing a hearing aid you will need to have a T-setting on your hearing aid. If you are not sure, please speak to your audiologist prior to your visit to the theatre. Without a T-setting your hearing aid will not be able to connect to the infra-red system. Top tips for enhancing your visit if you are hard of hearing: • Book a seat close to the front. Hearing aids lose their effectiveness beyond a certain distance so the closer you are to the stage, the better the experience • If using one of our headsets (either with or without a hearing aid) ensure that it's not covered by any clothing (e.g. a scarf) so as not to block the infra-red signal Any queries, please feel free to contact us (or your audiologist) in advance of your visit, or talk to an usher on the night. For more information email: access@everymantheatre.org.uk or phone our access line on 01242 705559. CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES Captions are similar to television subtitles. The actors’ words appear on display units, placed on either side of the stage, at the same time as they are spoken or sung. Speaker names, sound effects and offstage noises are also shown as text. Audience members for captioned performances can sit where they prefer, however centre/side Circle or centre/side Stalls are recommended. Book your tickets online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk
Gloucester Guildhall Cinema
"We offer regular Hard of Hearing subtitled films. These are labelled HOH in our programme. We have an induction loop in the cinema. Performance Events - A loop is available for some performances. Contact - You can contact the box office by Phone 01452 503050, email guildhall.boxoffice@gloucester.gov.uk or in person. We are able to use Hearing link services over the phone. https://www.hearinglink.org/living/loops-equipment/relayuk/ "
Bristol Hippodrome Access bookings must be made directly with the venue. Please visit the accessibility page for the theatre you are looking to book for information and contact details. Are discounts available for access patrons? Discounted tickets are available for access patrons and a companion who are limited to the Stalls, with price depending on the show booking. For further information, ticket bookings and assistance, please call the dedicated access line: 0333 009 5399, email: bristolmarketing@theambassadors.com or Submit a Request. You can request a visual story from bristoladmin@theambassadors.com.
Sherborne Cinema
• Speech enhancing headphones & audio description headphones now available at every show.
Cheltenham Playhouse
Cheltenham Town Hall If the event has a disabled concession it will extend to people with hearing loss. Usually though the events have the ‘disabled’ person paying the full price and the carer gets in for free. To book ‘Disabled’ tickets and carer tickets you will need to call them and make the booking over the phone on 01242 528764
Cineworld
"Hearing impaired guests Subtitles for the hearing impaired are available at certain performances. Hearing loops (either infra red or induction) are installed at all our cinemas auditoria (except at The O2 Greenwich). Please check with the box office which facility is available. Type Talk calls are available on our telephone booking service."
Offer a complimentary ticket for the registered carer of a disabled person. You will need to ring the Box Office to book tickets that include concessions. Tel: 01242 522852.
Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham Offer disabled patrons, including hearing loss, the concessionary rate if it is available for the performance. They also offer a free carer ticket in addition to this. If you're interested in booking a show, please give them a ring and they'll be happy to arrange for this & the free carer ticket. Box Office hours are Mon-Wed-Fri 9am to 12pm, on 01242 258002.
The Access card
What is the Access Card? Information, Evidence, Discounts and Opportunities for Disabled People The Access Card (sometimes referred to as the CredAbility Card or a Nimbus Card) is a card like no other; we translate your disability/impairment into symbols that highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need. Think of it as a Disability Passport. This then informs providers quickly and discreetly about the support you need and may gain you access to things like concessionary ticket prices and complex reasonable adjustments without having to go into loads of personal detail. It’s all based on your rights under the Equality Act and providers’ responsibilities. Cost: £15 for 3 years.
Ear Health Checks at GDA Quick, painless check to assess your ear health and wax levels.
To book, email: earhealth@gda.org.uk Find out more
CONTACT US
Tel: 01452 372999 Mobile/BSL: 07875 610860 email: admin@gda.org.uk