WDCS Chairman's report for the year 2014 to 2015
The Committee
Chair: Ben Andrews
Vice Chair: Alison Hunt
Treasurer: Sarah Jessop
Secretary: Ian Shakespeare
Other committee members – Debbie Atkinson, Elaine Wilkins, Carly & Adam Buchanan, Graham & Vicky Burgess, Sarah Recker, Beth Nicholls, Mel Nicholls, Ros Wilder, Kate and Andrew Hateley, Paul Stinson and Karen Parker.
Thank you to all committee members and volunteers for their hard work over the last 12 months without which there would be no events, and no WDCS.
WDCS Events
In a year when a reluctant chair was quoted as saying he simply wanted to keep the group going, we have achieved a massive amount, with 11 events on the calendar, a continuing trickle of new families, and better interaction, support from and involvement with other agencies, organisations and charities (CHISIWIG, TODs, Deaf Direct and NDCS). We have also got new shirts with logos, got most of the committee DBS checked, and had our first ever residential.
None of this would be achievable without a committed and hard-working committee, so a massive thank you should go out to you all.
Below is a list of events through the year, and event organisers. Apologies if this isn’t 100% right, or if someone doesn’t get a mention that should. We did have a few last minute changes to events!
May 10th: Roller Disco / Trampolining
Ali
June 7th : Sports day Blue Roof
Ros
July 5th: West Midland Safari Park
Ben
Sept 6th: Skate park and Blue Roof craft activites
Sarah & Ben
Oct 4th: Ten Pin bowling at Bowl Extreme
Ian & Vickie
Nov 8th: Paint A Pot Blue roof
Mel
Dec 13th: Christmas party
Everyone (Especially Debbie)
Jan 2015 Pantomime Sunday 4th
Elaine
Feb 7th : Drumming and Theatre Workshop
Karen
Mar 8th : Cinema and Pizza Event
Paul & Ben
Apr 9th – 12th : Cornwall Residential
Elaine
May 9th : Animal Mania & AGM
Carly & Adam Buchanan and Graham & Vickie Burgess
Deafinity Youth Group
The Youth group hasn’t managed to have any meetings or events this year. Fortunately some of the main family events are suitable for older members, but we perhaps need to review the future of this part of our group to support our deaf teenagers in the coming years as they progress to adulthood. Nairi, Beth and Kathryn have all worked together organising these events in the past, but have not been able to devote as much time to this with their studies and other commitments.
Finances
Thank you to Sarah J for all your hard work with the finances of the group, which I believe to be in a healthy state, and to all the group for their fund raising and sponsorship of the group, especially Kate and Andy Hateley.
Thanks to Ian for the arduous task of keeping the communications flowing to all members, and to Adam for helping with this and his work with the membership database.
Thank Elaine for continuing to organise some of the biggest events of the year.
The Future of WDCS
WDCS needs a chair person, and the continuing work of the committee to support existing members and continue to take on new members. We also need to continue to provide the right balance of events suitable for the families of the deaf children and young adults in our care.
Whilst I am standing down as Chairperson, I will be continuing to support the group as a committee member. I would like to thank again all the committee for their work this year. This is a strong group and committee, and whoever takes on the role of Chair and vice will not have to look far for support and help.
Ben Andrews
WDCS Chairperson 2014 - 2015
Chair: Ben Andrews
Vice Chair: Alison Hunt
Treasurer: Sarah Jessop
Secretary: Ian Shakespeare
Other committee members – Debbie Atkinson, Elaine Wilkins, Carly & Adam Buchanan, Graham & Vicky Burgess, Sarah Recker, Beth Nicholls, Mel Nicholls, Ros Wilder, Kate and Andrew Hateley, Paul Stinson and Karen Parker.
Thank you to all committee members and volunteers for their hard work over the last 12 months without which there would be no events, and no WDCS.
WDCS Events
In a year when a reluctant chair was quoted as saying he simply wanted to keep the group going, we have achieved a massive amount, with 11 events on the calendar, a continuing trickle of new families, and better interaction, support from and involvement with other agencies, organisations and charities (CHISIWIG, TODs, Deaf Direct and NDCS). We have also got new shirts with logos, got most of the committee DBS checked, and had our first ever residential.
None of this would be achievable without a committed and hard-working committee, so a massive thank you should go out to you all.
Below is a list of events through the year, and event organisers. Apologies if this isn’t 100% right, or if someone doesn’t get a mention that should. We did have a few last minute changes to events!
May 10th: Roller Disco / Trampolining
Ali
June 7th : Sports day Blue Roof
Ros
July 5th: West Midland Safari Park
Ben
Sept 6th: Skate park and Blue Roof craft activites
Sarah & Ben
Oct 4th: Ten Pin bowling at Bowl Extreme
Ian & Vickie
Nov 8th: Paint A Pot Blue roof
Mel
Dec 13th: Christmas party
Everyone (Especially Debbie)
Jan 2015 Pantomime Sunday 4th
Elaine
Feb 7th : Drumming and Theatre Workshop
Karen
Mar 8th : Cinema and Pizza Event
Paul & Ben
Apr 9th – 12th : Cornwall Residential
Elaine
May 9th : Animal Mania & AGM
Carly & Adam Buchanan and Graham & Vickie Burgess
Deafinity Youth Group
The Youth group hasn’t managed to have any meetings or events this year. Fortunately some of the main family events are suitable for older members, but we perhaps need to review the future of this part of our group to support our deaf teenagers in the coming years as they progress to adulthood. Nairi, Beth and Kathryn have all worked together organising these events in the past, but have not been able to devote as much time to this with their studies and other commitments.
Finances
Thank you to Sarah J for all your hard work with the finances of the group, which I believe to be in a healthy state, and to all the group for their fund raising and sponsorship of the group, especially Kate and Andy Hateley.
Thanks to Ian for the arduous task of keeping the communications flowing to all members, and to Adam for helping with this and his work with the membership database.
Thank Elaine for continuing to organise some of the biggest events of the year.
The Future of WDCS
WDCS needs a chair person, and the continuing work of the committee to support existing members and continue to take on new members. We also need to continue to provide the right balance of events suitable for the families of the deaf children and young adults in our care.
Whilst I am standing down as Chairperson, I will be continuing to support the group as a committee member. I would like to thank again all the committee for their work this year. This is a strong group and committee, and whoever takes on the role of Chair and vice will not have to look far for support and help.
Ben Andrews
WDCS Chairperson 2014 - 2015
