Deafconnect

03/02/2026

We’re launching our new National Deaf Children’s Society Family Fund!

If you have a deaf child aged 0 to 11 (or still in primary school) living in the UK, you may be eligible to receive funding.

You can use this to help pay for equipment and technology that can make everyday life easier, at home, at school, and beyond, or you can use the funding for support learning British Sign Language (BSL), including course fees and related costs.

The fund is limited, and applications will close once all the funding has been allocated, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.

Take a look here for all the details https://bit.ly/4rrgL7l

02/02/2026

Hearing Loss & Northamptonshire Tinnitus Coffee Meeting.

30/01/2026

New week subtitled listings, check out the link for full details
https://www.yourlocalcinema.com/

27/01/2026

Assistive Equipment meeting 04.02.2026

27/01/2026

Last Daventry Hearing Loss/ Tinnitus coffee meeting 03.02.2026

27/01/2026

There’s only one week left to complete The National Deaf Children’s Society Deaf Children Today 2026 survey. Your voice is incredibly important.

If you could change one thing about the support your deaf child receives, what would it be?

Our Deaf Children Today 2026 survey is now open. Your experiences will help influence the support and services families rely on across the UK – showing what’s working and where change is urgently needed.

It takes around 15 minutes to complete, and you could win one of three £100 Amazon vouchers.

Your voice can drive real change. Have your say and help shape a better future for deaf children today 👉 https://go.ndcs.org.uk/fbdct2026launch

24/01/2026

Youth club yesterday: water fairies, pool, table tennis, 3D pens, mini animals, magnetic building, uno, boccia, hangman, painting, peer support, advice, sign language, lip reading, acceptance and of course pizza! We have 2 youth clubs left Feb 6th and March 6th.

23/01/2026

Trustees Statement

BSL on the link below
https://www.loom.com/share/6230e7ce30094115867ef57348d11fde

Following our previous statement, the trustees of Deafconnect would, firstly, like to thank everyone who has provided support and given such positive feedback on the services that the charity provides.

We are aware that many questions have been raised, since the issuing of our previous statement and, as promised, now that matters have progressed, we are able to provide a further update.

We are aware that an online petition has been published and also that a GoFundMe page has been created, to seek to assist Deafconnect, in the hope that such efforts will see the charity able to continue. We would advise that these have been created independently and without involvement of Deafconnect and, unfortunately, we do not expect the funds raised to be sufficient to allow the charity to continue.

We can confirm that the trustees have been in contact with the North Northamptonshire Council and the West Northamptonshire Council, to advise of the closure of Deafconnect and to allow the Councils to begin to take steps to consider the future provision of services, to the deaf and hard of hearing community. At present, we are not aware of any decisions having been made, but we will update you, if we receive any further information in this regard.

As advised in our previous statement, the primary reason for closure of the charity is as a result of financial difficulties. Our expenses and outgoings have increased in excess of the amount of income received. This is certainly a situation we are aware that affects many charities in the UK, and has lead to increased competition for grant funding.

All data held by the charity will be dealt with strictly in accordance with Data Protection procedures. If anyone who has used Deafconnect services, wishes to receive a copy of their records, please contact our CEO, Jenni Dawkins, and steps will be taken to release the information to you.

We appreciate that the deaf and hard of hearing community have questions about the future of the support that will be available. At present, we anticipate:

• Support services will continue at the present level until 13 March 2026 but then will be on a reduced and on an appointment only basis until 30 June 2026
• All Deafconnect groups will continue until 13 March 2026
• Interpreting booking services will continue until 14 July 2026
• Hall hire bookings will continue until 31 July 2026
• Level 1 BSL course arrangements will continue unaffected and cease on 2 July 2026
• Level 2 BSL course arrangements will continue unaffected and cease on 30 June 2026
• Level 3 BSL course arrangements will continue unaffected until 31 July 2026 and Deafconnect staff will make contact with students, to confirm arrangements following this date
• Community café and food bank services will continue until 31 July 2026

Finally, we are aware that there has been significant media attention received, in response to the notice of our closure being published. We will not be hosting a meeting but will issue further statements, when appropriate but, in the meantime, would urge anyone with questions about our closure, to contact our CEO, Jenni Dawkins, who will be pleased to assist.

Tel: 01604 589011
Office mobile/SMS: 07817 006817
email: general@deafconnect.org.uk

15/01/2026

If you're a parent/carer of a deaf child please take a look at the survey from National Deaf Children's Society and tell them what your child needs.

https://nationaldeafchildrenssociety.typeform.com/DCT2026?utm_campaign=534001_DCT%202026%20launch%20Prof&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20National%20Deaf%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Society&dm_i=7K6A,BG1D,28MQ78,1IPLO,1,,,

Join thousands of parents who have taken our annual Deaf Children Today survey, and tell us what your child needs. You could win one of three £100 Amazon vouchers for being involved!

09/01/2026

It is with sadness that we must announce that Deafconnect is closing.
The board of trustees have made the difficult decision to close the charity, as a result of the difficult financial situation, which is facing the Country, and indeed many parts of the world.
The charity has provided services to deaf and hard of hearing people, within Northamptonshire, for over 150 years, and has been important to the local community, as the custodian of the Spencer Dallington Community Centre. The trustees and staff have worked tirelessly to secure additional funding, to see the charity continue but, unfortunately have reached a point where it is not financial possible to continue.
Users of the charity services will still be able to book interpreters and the groups hosted to support children, young people and families will continue until further notice. In addition, the availability for local groups and individuals booking the use of the halls at the Spencer Dallington Community Centre will continue until further notice, but such bookings may be subject to alternative payment arrangements.
The staff and trustees of Deafconnect are working hard to responsibly manage the charity’s closure and to minimise any unnecessary disruption to the Deaf community and other users of the Spencer Dallington Community Centre.
As part of the closure process, the trustees are seeking to explore all options for the future delivery of Deaf community services. This includes discussions about whether the services might be delivered, in the future, by a new organisation, subject to all appropriate agreements and approvals.
Deafconnect service users may be aware of the Deaf care services provided locally by RJ Care Limited. Separate discussions are taking place, with the people at RJ Care Limited, regarding the potential formation of a community interest company, which focuses on the provision of Deaf community services. Any such organisation would be legally and operationally separate from both Deafconnect and RJ Care Limited.
At this stage there is no certainty that any lease arrangements will be agreed, nor any future service contracts will be awarded, to any other organisation with whom the Deafconnect trustees are speaking with. All decisions relating to the property and services remain subject to landlord and local authority requirements and consents.
The Deafconnect trustees intend to continue to communicate openly as the situation develops and will provide additional updates in due course.
In the meantime, anyone using the Deafconnect services who may need help and support at his difficult time, or users of the Community Centre who may have any questions, are encouraged to contact the Deafconnect CEO, Mrs Jenni Dawkins (details below).

Tel: 01604 589011
Office mobile/SMS: 07817 006817
email: general@deafconnect.org.uk

Please scan the QR code below if a BSL video of the above statement would assist.