Hello!

It’s been 35 years since SignHealth was first established; the same year I was born!

I am really looking forward to taking part with my 3,5-year-old Deaf daughter and our supportive friends. We'll be walking for 3.5 hours as part of SignHealth's Walk4Wellbeing virtual fundraising event on 3rd July 2021.

For me, the number one most important thing for the Deaf community is access to information and services in British Sign Language. When our Deaf children are struggling with their wellbeing, we are forced to watch our child suffer alone, without professional support, whilst their hearing friends are given access to many services and charities to support them.

Our Deaf brothers, sisters and friends are left to face mental illness alone and in danger because of the lack of accessible support in their first language: BSL. Statistics tell us that Deaf people experience twice as much mental illness as their hearing peers - how much of that is caused by the barriers faced when trying to get help?

I am proud to be a part of SignHealth: a charity determined to improve the health and wellbeing of Deaf BSL users people through campaigning, support services and research. We recruit and work alongside a huge range of Deaf people to ensure that we can best meet the needs of our community. We want Deaf people to feel mentally and physically healthy, strong and well cared for.

Deaf people face multiple barriers before they even get to see their mental health professional, and even then they may not have an appointment in a language they understand.

Can you imagine the strength it would take for a child with a mental illness to fight the discrimination within the health and education systems just to get themselves an appointment? Not only are they suffering with their own mental ill health, they are also facing institutional barriers to deafness. No child should be expected to take on the system just to see a dr. That's why I'm committed to raising money to break down barriers, increase accessibility and ensure that Deaf children, young people and adults are not left behind when it comes to our health and wellbeing.