Events & Activities
Our events bring families together, give deaf children a chance to socialise, and help the whole family feel part of something bigger.
What We Organise
Throughout the year we run a mix of regular meet-ups and one-off events. Some are small and informal, others a bit more ambitious. All of them are designed to be accessible for deaf children and their families. Siblings, grandparents, and carers are always welcome.
Monthly Parent Coffee Morning
Our most established event. Parents and carers meet on the first Saturday of each month, usually at a community venue in central Croydon. There's no agenda — just coffee, conversation, and the chance to talk to people who genuinely understand. Children are welcome and we try to have a few activities set up for them. New families can find out more on our parent support groups page.
BSL Taster Sessions
A few times a year we invite a qualified BSL tutor to run an introductory session for families. These aren't full courses — think of them as a friendly starting point. You'll pick up basic signs for everyday phrases, learn a few songs, and get advice on where to study BSL more formally. See our article on learning BSL as a family for more background.
Holiday Activities
During school holidays we organise activities suited to different age groups. Past events have included:
- Arts and crafts mornings at Lloyd Park
- A trip to the Science Museum with a BSL interpreter
- A summer picnic and sports day in Wandle Park
- Christmas craft workshop and party
We know that mainstream holiday clubs don't always cater well to deaf children, so these events give families an alternative where communication access is built in from the start. More ideas in our summer activities article.
Annual Family Fun Day
Our biggest event of the year, usually held in July. It's an afternoon of games, face painting, a raffle, and food — with plenty of space for children to run around. We've held it at various Croydon parks over the years, and it regularly attracts over fifty families. It's also a chance for us to raise funds and raise awareness about deaf children's needs in the community.
Deaf Awareness Training
We offer short awareness sessions for schools, nurseries, and community organisations. These cover basic communication tips, what to do when a deaf child is in your setting, and common myths about deafness. If you'd like to book a session for your organisation, get in touch.
How Events Are Run
All our events are planned with deaf children's access needs in mind. That means good lighting, reduced background noise where possible, visual information alongside spoken words, and BSL interpreters at larger events. We try to keep costs low or free — most events are funded through grants and donations.
We publicise events through our email mailing list, so make sure you're signed up if you want to hear about what's coming next. You can also contact us directly if you have questions about a specific event.
Volunteering at Events
Running events takes a fair bit of organising, and we always appreciate extra pairs of hands. Whether you can help set up, run an activity table, or simply make tea, we'd be glad to have you. Visit our volunteer page for details.
Suggest an Event
Got an idea for something you'd like us to organise? We're open to suggestions. Some of our best events have come from parents saying "Wouldn't it be nice if..." — so don't hold back. Email us at [email protected] with your idea.