Dear Families, Welcome to Cirencester Deaf Children’s Club (CDCC)! CDCC plays a very important role in the work of Gloucestershire Deaf Association (GDA), which is the only not-for-profit organisation in our county dedicated solely to supporting adults and children with all levels of hearing impairment. I am delighted to tell you that in recent years the work we do has been recognised both at local and national level, including in 2016 an award for ‘Best Campaign Film’ (Stroud Community TV Awards), and being shortlisted for a national Charity Governance Award. GDA’s work around families where there is a deaf child centres around the CDCC sessions held on the first Saturday of each month, where your child can enjoy a range of craft activities and outings in a truly supportive atmosphere. As a user-led organisation, our experienced and wonderful volunteers understand fully the communication challenges your child may be experiencing at home, at school and just out and about, and we are here to help in a no-pressure way but with our personal knowledge and expertise. Above all, CDCC is about having fun, but you will see the difference from any ordinary playgroup. To begin with we use a total communication environment of both speaking and sign language, so that you and your child can choose whichever way you want to develop your language with each other, but develop it as successfully as possible. We also are mindful that your child will rely more on visual cues and may have a greater need to feel safe in their personal space, perhaps sitting or standing where others cannot surprise them from behind. You and your child will feel a warmth of spirit at CDCC that I hope gives you a sense of the support that GDA is willing to give you for many years to come, as your child grows and takes on new challenges. We forward to getting to know you and to sharing that journey with you. Jenny and Gem GDA is a Registered charity no. 1015937. Company limited by guarantee no. 2692718. www.gda.org.uk
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