Roadshow rolls into town and delivers informative workshops

Deaf children and their hearing friends in Lowestoft enjoyed a special roadshow event.

Pupils at Elm Tree Primary Academy took part in informative and engaging workshops about all aspects of deafness.

The roadshow – which features an eight ton purple bus that turns into a high tech classroom – visited pupils at the school in Ranworth Avenue delivering support, advice and information to some of the 629 deaf children who live in Suffolk.

The roadshow team spent the day delivering workshops to deaf children, hearing friends, teachers and parents. One of the workshops, Look, Smile, Chat, provided advice and tips on how to communicate with a deaf child. Another workshop promoted mental health and emotional wellbeing support for deaf children. Through creative and fun activities deaf children learnt what good emotional health is and how best to ensure both their bodies and minds remain healthy. This included identifying strategies to help manage their own mental health.

The National Deaf Children's Society also showcased the latest technology and equipment available to deaf children to accompany the key skills learnt on the day.

Mark Gill, outreach officer on the roadshow who is deaf himself and drives the roadshow bus, said: 'As the Roadshow travels across the UK we work to empower young deaf children and raise awareness of deafness among their hearing peers. I see our impact when hearing the positive feedback from children and their parents.'