Contact our team today to find our more about our activities and services for the D/deaf community and how we can help.
Community Group and Partner Activities at Bark Street
At Bolton Deaf Society, we are proud to work with a number of independent groups and partners to enrich our service offer.
Groups
The groups we accommodate include:
Audiology Department, Royal Bolton Hospital
Specialist Audiology staff from our local hospital facilitate two groups for us at Bark Street:
1: An Assistive Technologies Drop-in giving access to information, advice and guidance on equipment available to enable and empower people with hearing loss, 1-to-1 appointments also being available by prior arrangement with our Office Administrator
2. A Tinnitus Support Group offering a programme of accessible visitor talks and small group/peer-to-peer conversation around living with Tinnitus, making adjustments in day-to-day life and caring for residual hearing
Darby and Joan
Meeting on a Tuesday morning, they welcome older Deaf people often living alone and in isolation, share drinks and snacks, enjoy Bingo, games and seasonal visits to places of cultural/historical interest and social appeal, and provide Deaf customer feedback to inform and assist improvement for their future benefit and that of Deaf community peers.
They host Christmas meals and provide a range of other seasonal treats. Darby and Joan Group are self-funded through member subscriptions and run independently of Bolton Deaf Society. Like Sports and Social Club, however, they receive regular training through Bolton Deaf Society to help ensure their capacity to operate safely and in a legally compliant way. Our training covers subjects such as Data Protection, Diversity and Equality Awareness, Evacuation Chair use, Fire Safety, First Aid, Health & Safety and Safeguarding.
Deaf Asian Women’s Group
On a Wednesday morning, Deaf women from the Asian community get together to share in inclusive learning about the Islamic faith; healthy cooking; and culturally-inclusive sports and physical activities – all helping grow their sense of connectivity, wellbeing and self-care capacity.
Handmade British Sign Language Choir
Meeting fortnightly on a Wednesday evening and participating through the year in a number of festivals and competitions countrywide, Handmade brings together Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing people from across the Borough of Bolton and surrounding areas. They embrace and utilise BSL to bring song to life for themselves, D/deaf and hearing audiences – realising positive impacts on mental health/wellbeing and community spirit.
Sports and Social Club
Getting together every Tuesday evening, and on Fridays through the Spring and Summer, they involve older Deaf people in Darts, Dominoes and Snooker all year round – and Crown Green Bowls during the Summer, playing for fun and in competitive Deaf competitions organised on a periodic and regional basis. Volunteer-led, it also operates a Licensed Social Bar and all engaged with its operation receive training.
