What does our Youth Service do?

Some of our Area Associations provides professional training, activities and events for Deaf young people.

These are as follows:

• information for young people today (e.g. on education, thier rights, health, etc);
• social and educational activities;
• advocacy;
• training opportunities in youth work;
• youth forums;
• senior youth members' training programmes and school leavers courses.

The BDA established 2 Forums in 2001:

- the national BDA Deaf Youth Workers Forum (DYWF), to advise the BDA about youth issues. The Forum includes youth workers from all over the UK

- the National Youth Forum, represented by different people around the UK.

Aims of Service:

- to provide information and advocacy for Deaf youth people on various issues

- to organise social events and activities for Deaf young people to meet other Deaf peers

- to provide opportunities for Deaf young people to learn about volunteering

- to organise training and events for Deaf young people to learn about their language, culture, history and communities

- to provide support from Deaf youth workers, who act as role models and/or mentors

- to enable Deaf young people to learn new skills through training, guidance and support, to develop confidence and self esteem, to enable them to become active and participative members of society

Why Should You Use Our Service?

- The Youth Service has a team of qualified Deaf youth workers who have experience in working with Deaf young people, and committed volunteers who are keen in working with Deaf young people

- The Youth Service provides information in formats suitable for all Deaf young people

- Events, such as youth clubs, activities, and meetings, are organised by the Service, where young people can come and be themselves. They do not need to worry about language barriers

- All youth workers are empathic with Deaf young people, having experienced similar barriers themselves

- The Service believes in empowering Deaf young people to take responsibility for themselves, by ensuring that they have access to information and support that will enable them to make informed choices

- Youth Clubs and Youth Forums around the UK have been set up, made possible by partnership working