WDCS Chairperson's report for the year 2012 to 2013
WDCS Chairperson's Annual Report for the Year
Jan to Dec 2012
The Committee
Chair Elaine Wilkins
Vice Chair Darren Spencer
Treasurer -. Jenny Dinsdale
Secretary – Ben Andrews
Other committee members –Sarah Recker, Ian Shakespeare, Mel Nichols Nairi Gallant, Graham Burgess, Sarah Jessop, Ali Hunt, Martyn West, Roz Willder.
I would like to record a special thank you to all committee members for their hard work over the last 12 months which has meant we have another very successful year. I would like to record a special thank you to Jenny who is standing down this year. I am sure you will all agree Jenny has been a real asset to the group over the last 4 years. She has not only done an excellent job producing the minutes in record time she has also been treasurer and played a hands on role within the committee organising many successful events.
WDCS Events
All 11 events were well attended in the year with most having at least 25 families in attendance. Our database of families is the strongest it has ever been with some 75 contacts and 6 new families in the year which is fantastic.
We started the year with our annual visit to the Pantomime in January at the Birmingham Hippodrome starring Brian Conley and my sister which is always well attended.
February and March we had arts and crafts at Blue Roof and a trip to the cinema followed by Pizza making at Little Venice. Thanks to both Sarah and Paul for organising these 2 events.
At our AGM in April the children were entertained by Build a Bear which was great fun and at the end of the month we went to the Snowdome in Tamworth for tobogganing and ice skating.
In May we had our annual Sports Day – thanks to Mel for organising and we went to the NDCS family Fun Day at Hatton Park.
In July we had a great day out at Top Barn followed by a very enjoyable BBQ and Barn Dance – thanks to Jenny for all her hard work in organising this event – unfortunately we were unable to camp due to the weather – not that I was particularly disappointed!
We went off to horse riding followed by fish and chips at Stourport Riding Centre in September – thank to Ian for organising and we had another arts and crafts event in Oct – thanks Sarah– which is always a great opportunity for families to catch up and share experiences.
In November we had our first 2 day event at Drayton Manor where 26 families enjoyed a day at the theme park followed by a meal, fireworks and an overnight stay at the hotel on site. Whilst this was our most expensive event of the year it was great success and will be repeated in 2013.
We also launched our own hoodies at this event – thanks to Darren for organising – which have continued to prove very popular.
We ended the year with another successful Christmas Party where we had face painting, disco party games, bouncy castle and a visit from Santa – thanks to all committee members for the help in ensuring this event was a great success.
Deafinity Events
The Youth Group continues to meet - teenage diaries permitting - and they have enjoyed film nights, pizza night, bowling and a wii and pudding night.
Thanks to Nairi for organising events with help from both Beth and Kathryn. I believe that we need to continue to offer events for our teenagers in the coming year to support them as they progress to adulthood.
WDCS marketing and communication
I would like to record a special thank you to Ben for all his tremendous work as Secretary. Not only does he make sure that the communication channels are first class whether via e mail or text he has also developed a fantastic web site with on line event registration and payment. In addition he has also coordinated the issue of quarterly fliers to all our families and maintained the database for us all ensuring contact details and event registration is up to date. The role that Ben plays in the group is absolutely key and I know he keeps us all organised and up to date on any events organised by other groups around the UK so thanks again Ben.
I would also like to thank Darren for organising the production of Business cards for the group which help us to promote the group across the county.
Donations/ Fundraising in the year
In order to continue to provide affordable events for families at our current rate we need at least £5k on an annual basis and so donations and fundraising are key to the success of the group.
Many family donations were received in the year as well as fundraising events and these will be covered in more detail in the Treasurer’s report.
I would like to record thanks to Sainsbury’s in St Johns for nominating us as their Charity of the year which together with our Bag packing efforts and signed carols raised over £2000 for the group which is fantastic. I would like to record a thanks to Donna for helping us to deliver the signed carols both at the Victorian Fair– supporting Deaf Direct and Sainsbury’s which is a great deaf awareness event as well as raising funds for our charities.
All these donations and fundraising events ensure we are able to continue to provide regular events for all of our families and I would like to thank each and every one of them for both their kindness and physical efforts in raising money for the group.
Other events in 2012
It was with great sadness that Gilian Brewer lost her battle with cancer last year. Gilian has touched many of our families’ lives over the years both in helping our children with sign language but also providing a deaf role model for our children and offering emotional support to the parents. Many of us attended her funeral which was a very moving tribute to a wonderful woman and in recognition of the contribution she has made to our lives over the years we made a donation to St Richards Hospice on behalf of the group.
The Future of WDCS
WDCS needs to continue to encourage families of newly diagnosed deaf children to join the group so we can support them through their journey as well as continue to support existing members Also we need to continue to provide a variety of fun activities suitable to all the deaf children and young adults in our care so that attendance at our events remains high.
As I stand down as Chairperson (for hopefully the last time) I feel that the group is currently stronger than ever -reaching out to more families with an excellent committee and I would like to thank each and every one of the committee for their hard work over the last year but in particular Darren, Ben and Jenny. Going forward it is important that the committee remains strong in numbers and continues to work together for the benefit of our children. Sharing the responsibility and workload amongst many should mean that no one individual is overloaded with responsibility.
On a personal note I joined WDCS back in 1998 and the support I received from parents back then who had gone through a similar journey was unbelievable and to this day I believe it is this supportive atmosphere that makes us special and I am sure this will continue for many years to come. I hope that over the years I have helped some families in their journey which in itself is a very rewarding experience.
WDCS for me and Kathryn has been and will hopefully continue to be our extended family. It is a safe comfortable and inclusive place for our children to grow in confidence and for me it will always be a big part of my life – I just need to try and take a bit more of a back seat going forward – and that will be a challenge for me!
Here’s to another successful year.
Thank you again to all involved in running the group.
Elaine Wilkins
Jan to Dec 2012
The Committee
Chair Elaine Wilkins
Vice Chair Darren Spencer
Treasurer -. Jenny Dinsdale
Secretary – Ben Andrews
Other committee members –Sarah Recker, Ian Shakespeare, Mel Nichols Nairi Gallant, Graham Burgess, Sarah Jessop, Ali Hunt, Martyn West, Roz Willder.
I would like to record a special thank you to all committee members for their hard work over the last 12 months which has meant we have another very successful year. I would like to record a special thank you to Jenny who is standing down this year. I am sure you will all agree Jenny has been a real asset to the group over the last 4 years. She has not only done an excellent job producing the minutes in record time she has also been treasurer and played a hands on role within the committee organising many successful events.
WDCS Events
All 11 events were well attended in the year with most having at least 25 families in attendance. Our database of families is the strongest it has ever been with some 75 contacts and 6 new families in the year which is fantastic.
We started the year with our annual visit to the Pantomime in January at the Birmingham Hippodrome starring Brian Conley and my sister which is always well attended.
February and March we had arts and crafts at Blue Roof and a trip to the cinema followed by Pizza making at Little Venice. Thanks to both Sarah and Paul for organising these 2 events.
At our AGM in April the children were entertained by Build a Bear which was great fun and at the end of the month we went to the Snowdome in Tamworth for tobogganing and ice skating.
In May we had our annual Sports Day – thanks to Mel for organising and we went to the NDCS family Fun Day at Hatton Park.
In July we had a great day out at Top Barn followed by a very enjoyable BBQ and Barn Dance – thanks to Jenny for all her hard work in organising this event – unfortunately we were unable to camp due to the weather – not that I was particularly disappointed!
We went off to horse riding followed by fish and chips at Stourport Riding Centre in September – thank to Ian for organising and we had another arts and crafts event in Oct – thanks Sarah– which is always a great opportunity for families to catch up and share experiences.
In November we had our first 2 day event at Drayton Manor where 26 families enjoyed a day at the theme park followed by a meal, fireworks and an overnight stay at the hotel on site. Whilst this was our most expensive event of the year it was great success and will be repeated in 2013.
We also launched our own hoodies at this event – thanks to Darren for organising – which have continued to prove very popular.
We ended the year with another successful Christmas Party where we had face painting, disco party games, bouncy castle and a visit from Santa – thanks to all committee members for the help in ensuring this event was a great success.
Deafinity Events
The Youth Group continues to meet - teenage diaries permitting - and they have enjoyed film nights, pizza night, bowling and a wii and pudding night.
Thanks to Nairi for organising events with help from both Beth and Kathryn. I believe that we need to continue to offer events for our teenagers in the coming year to support them as they progress to adulthood.
WDCS marketing and communication
I would like to record a special thank you to Ben for all his tremendous work as Secretary. Not only does he make sure that the communication channels are first class whether via e mail or text he has also developed a fantastic web site with on line event registration and payment. In addition he has also coordinated the issue of quarterly fliers to all our families and maintained the database for us all ensuring contact details and event registration is up to date. The role that Ben plays in the group is absolutely key and I know he keeps us all organised and up to date on any events organised by other groups around the UK so thanks again Ben.
I would also like to thank Darren for organising the production of Business cards for the group which help us to promote the group across the county.
Donations/ Fundraising in the year
In order to continue to provide affordable events for families at our current rate we need at least £5k on an annual basis and so donations and fundraising are key to the success of the group.
Many family donations were received in the year as well as fundraising events and these will be covered in more detail in the Treasurer’s report.
I would like to record thanks to Sainsbury’s in St Johns for nominating us as their Charity of the year which together with our Bag packing efforts and signed carols raised over £2000 for the group which is fantastic. I would like to record a thanks to Donna for helping us to deliver the signed carols both at the Victorian Fair– supporting Deaf Direct and Sainsbury’s which is a great deaf awareness event as well as raising funds for our charities.
All these donations and fundraising events ensure we are able to continue to provide regular events for all of our families and I would like to thank each and every one of them for both their kindness and physical efforts in raising money for the group.
Other events in 2012
It was with great sadness that Gilian Brewer lost her battle with cancer last year. Gilian has touched many of our families’ lives over the years both in helping our children with sign language but also providing a deaf role model for our children and offering emotional support to the parents. Many of us attended her funeral which was a very moving tribute to a wonderful woman and in recognition of the contribution she has made to our lives over the years we made a donation to St Richards Hospice on behalf of the group.
The Future of WDCS
WDCS needs to continue to encourage families of newly diagnosed deaf children to join the group so we can support them through their journey as well as continue to support existing members Also we need to continue to provide a variety of fun activities suitable to all the deaf children and young adults in our care so that attendance at our events remains high.
As I stand down as Chairperson (for hopefully the last time) I feel that the group is currently stronger than ever -reaching out to more families with an excellent committee and I would like to thank each and every one of the committee for their hard work over the last year but in particular Darren, Ben and Jenny. Going forward it is important that the committee remains strong in numbers and continues to work together for the benefit of our children. Sharing the responsibility and workload amongst many should mean that no one individual is overloaded with responsibility.
On a personal note I joined WDCS back in 1998 and the support I received from parents back then who had gone through a similar journey was unbelievable and to this day I believe it is this supportive atmosphere that makes us special and I am sure this will continue for many years to come. I hope that over the years I have helped some families in their journey which in itself is a very rewarding experience.
WDCS for me and Kathryn has been and will hopefully continue to be our extended family. It is a safe comfortable and inclusive place for our children to grow in confidence and for me it will always be a big part of my life – I just need to try and take a bit more of a back seat going forward – and that will be a challenge for me!
Here’s to another successful year.
Thank you again to all involved in running the group.
Elaine Wilkins