The Handmade Sign Language Choir is fantastic. We have a lovely time bringing music, lyrics and BSL to life through practice and performance. We get a lot of positive feedback from hearing audiences short on Deaf awareness too – really helping change perceptions.
Thank you for taking an interest in and time to visit Bolton Deaf Society’s website.
In the pages that follow, we introduce who we are and what we offer – independently and through a growing number of trusted third-party partners. We share information on the facilities we have available for hire. We also provide latest news and link to our social media channels for bitesize information on daily operations and D/deaf-inclusive updates on public service changes, self-help guidance emerging from local/central government and service providers active at local, regional and/or national level. Contact with and pre-arranged visits to Bolton Deaf Society are always welcome.
We are here to help, uplift and enable Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing people; to inform and influence equitable system change; to educate and upskill hearing professionals ill-equipped to support people from the Deaf community or ensure their compliance with the law (as set-out, for example, in the Equality Act 2010 and the BSL Act 2022) in day-to-day practice; and improve the life experiences and life chances of people that live with hearing loss. Feedback on our website (and social media communications) would be welcome as well to ensure continuing improvement as far as these things are possible within our organisation’s financial and human capacity constraints. Do please get in touch if we can assist.
Services We Provide
Testimonials
There is a lot to learn and take in, but I can’t think of a better way than your classes. Erika is an excellent BSL Tutor. So friendly and approachable. I have already used my new skill of BSL to communicate with the Deaf child I escort to and from school. It has really made a difference. I would definitely recommend Erika’s course. She makes learning fun, is very helpful and informative too.
I have loved learning BSL. Erika is a very knowledgeable, skilful and calming Tutor, quickly able to adjust her teaching methods according to group dynamic and shift focus to align with individual interests. Formally accredited BSL training is priced beyond my reach, but the introductory ten-week course being put on by Bolton Deaf Society will make training much more accessible for people. I think it’s a great start.
The Tinnitus Group is invaluable to me: informative, practical and reassuring.
Getting into sports and physical activity through Bolton Deaf Society has opened-up a new world of feel-good opportunities for me. The fitness classes in BSL are great and I look forward to these rolling-out to other leisure centres across the Borough so that they become accessible for the Deaf community for the first time.
Being Deaf can sometimes be very lonely and my faith is very important to me. Having a Deaf vicar lead services is very important to me: giving me a real uplifting sense of connection. Having her pastoral support and counselling is a big help too.