Deafblind UK

Deafblind UK is a national charity in the United Kingdom supporting people with sight and hearing loss to live the lives they want. Founded in 1928, Deafblind UK has its headquarters in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.[1] The charity help people to live with deafblindness by making connections, and building their confidence and independence through a range of services and campaigns. Run by staff and volunteers,[2] the current CEO is Steve Conway,[3][4] who has been in position since 2018. The current chairman in Robert Nolan.[5]

History
Image shows a pile of Open Hand magazines, the top issue showing a photo of a woman running a marathon in a purple Deafblind UK vest.
Open Hand magazine published quarterly by Deafblind UK.

The foundations of Deafblind UK began in 1928, when a small group of deafblind people and their carers founded the National Deaf Blind League.[6]

The following year in 1929 the first magazine for deafblind people, Braille Rainbow,[7] was launched. During the Second World War, Rainbow was considered so important that it was one of very few publications exempt from paper rationing. Today, Rainbow is called ‘Open Hand’ and is still produced by Deafblind UK.

In 1936, Fellowship House in Hoylake was opened,[8] which was the UK's first holiday home specifically for people with deafblindness.

In 1963, the charity built Rainbow Court, a complex of residential flats that were designed to enable deafblind adults to live independently.

The National Deaf Blind League became Deafblind UK in 1996.

A new National Centre for Deafblindness was opened in 2003 Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, which acted as the headquarters conference centre for the charity. In 2020, this building was sold and headquarters were relocated to the Rainbow Court site.[9]

Operations

Deafblind UK offer the following services:[10]

  • Helpline
  • Wellbeing and emotional support
  • Care and support
  • Supported living
  • Befriending
  • Social groups[11][12]
  • Technology including free online learning and webinars[13]
  • Open Hand magazine
  • Holidays[14][15]
  • Empowering support

Campaigns

Deafblind Awareness Week[16][17] runs at the end of June to coincide with the birthday of Helen Keller.[18] In 2021, it fell on the week of 28 June - 4 July.[19] The week aims to make dual sensory loss a more widely known condition; educating people about what it is and letting them know what to look out for in themselves and others.

Funding
Image shows clothing racks and other shelves of goods, and a group of people paying for goods at the cash register.
Internal photo of the Werrington charity shop.

Deafblind UK is funded by donations from the public,[20] corporate partnerships,[21] community fundraising,[22] legacies and charitable trusts.[23]

In 2019, Deafblind UK opened their first charity shop[24] in Werrington, Cambridgeshire, which was the start of a new funding stream.

  • Images shows staff and volunteers celebrating outside a marquee.
    90th birthday celebrations
  • Image shows the view from a first floor window of the supporting living facility Rainbow Court. Landscaped gardens and the National Centre for Deafblindness can be seen in the distance.
    National Centre for Deafblindness and gardens.
  • Image shows a cream static caravan surround by grass and a patio with ramp up to entrance.
    Static caravan in Hopton-on-Sea which allows deafblind people a holiday.
  • Open Hand magazine
    Open Hand magazine

References
  1. "Deafblind UK". www.cqc.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  2. "BBC - BBC Northern Ireland Broadcast Appeals, A BBC Northern Ireland television Appeal on behalf of Open Arts". BBC. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  3. Peskett, Joe. "New Deafblind UK CEO pledges to provide a 'more bespoke experience for accessibility needs". Access and Mobility Professionals. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  4. McCormick, Emily (12 October 2018). "Steve Conway has joined the charity as chief executive officer". Association of Optometrists. Optometry Today. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  5. "Robert Nolan – Deafblind UK". Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  6. In Our Jubilee Year, 1928-1988. London, UK: National Deaf-Blind Helper's League. 1988.
  7. "Elizabeth Taylor, First Editor of 'Braille Rainbow', the National Deaf-Blind Helpers League quarterly magazine". Brighton Museums. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  8. compiled by Mary G. Thomas (1953). A Chronological Survey of Work for the Blind (Supplement): 1931-1951. Inc American Printing House for the Blind. published for the Royal National Institute for the Blind by Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd.
  9. "Disability charity sells headquarters for £2.5m". Third Sector. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  10. "Get Support | Deafblind UK". 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  11. "Deafblind UK launches remote support groups to combat loneliness | Deafblind UK". 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  12. "Deafblind UK launches remote support groups to combat loneliness" (PDF). Carers. Winter 2020/2021 (21): 20. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  13. "Deafblind UK Learning Hub". deafblind.powerhousehub.net. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  14. "Disabled Holiday Charities". www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  15. "WCB article: Deafblind UK holidays in Prestatyn". www.wcb-ccd.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  16. "Deaf Blind Awareness Week - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament". edm.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  17. "Deafblind Awareness Week | Deafblind UK". 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  18. "Helen Keller | Biography, Education, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  19. "Opening opportunities during Deafblind Awareness Week". Enable Magazine. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  20. "Deafblind UK Donate now". Deafblind UK. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  21. "Deafblind UK and OXSIGHT work in partnership to give people their sight back". Oxsight. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  22. "Boost for charities from popular raft race". Spalding Today. 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  23. "Deafblind UK Financial History". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  24. "Vara Opens First Deafblind UK Charity Shop | Shailesh Vara MP - Member of Parliament for North West Cambridgeshire". www.shaileshvara.com. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
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