Press release from Sign Health – visit the Sign Health website for video content and further information.
“SignHealth unveils ‘Deaf Wave’ website co‑created with deaf young people
The deaf health charity SignHealth are excited to share the next big step in our Children and Young People (CYP) offer, launched in April 2024. We’re working hard to improve the health, wellbeing, and futures of deaf children and young people and Deaf Wave is a huge part of this.
Deaf Wave is a brand-new online space made for deaf children and young people. It’s a place to find health and wellbeing information, tips, stories and support in BSL and English.
Deaf Wave was shaped by:
- Deaf young people in workshops
- Students in deaf school groups
- Our Young People Advisory Board (YAB)
- A deaf young graphic designer
- Deaf young BSL translators who helped make everything accessible
Together, we chose the name, designed the look, tested the layout, and created content that actually feels useful and relevant to deaf young people.
“It has been a such pleasure to do the design work for the CYP team at SignHealth! I’ve been involved in designing the logo, icons and backgrounds and make their important work more visible to deaf young people.
I love that CYP came up with the logo design ideas in consultation with the youth advisory board. The YAB includes representations from a diverse group of young people who have pooled their opinions and experiences to develop and inform the services activities and campaigning. The CYP service offers one to one support for deaf young people, and this kind of focus can make all the difference to a young person. Their specialist counsellors understand deaf culture and it is important for the deaf young people to have awareness and access to this service.
As a deaf young person myself, I feel that this work is very important to support positive outcomes. Deaf young people need to have access to relevant and clear information to support them as they progress through their transition into young adults. This can only improve their mental health and relationships with family, friends and other adults. I am proud to be a part of the production of resources that are specifically designed for deaf people, customised with their lifestyles in mind to be more realistic and relatable.”
– Opal Lycett, Graphic Designer
Many deaf young people face challenges that aren’t always seen or understood. For example:
- Deaf young people are more likely to feel sad or isolated than hearing young people.
- Some experience language deprivation, meaning it can be harder to explain feelings or ask for help.
- Not everyone knows where to get accessible support.
- Support in schools and colleges can be very different depending on where you live.
- It can be tough to find deaf role models who understand what you’re going through.
- Facing communication barriers every day can be exhausting and lonely.
These are the reasons SignHealth has created Deaf Wave, to give deaf young people a space where they feel understood, represented, and supported.
Here’s what’s SignHealth offers young people:
- One to one wellbeing support
- Fun and accessible workshops covering topics that matter to you, all fully accessible and designed with deaf CYP in mind.
- Young people Advisory Board (YAB) cohort, a group of deaf young people who guide everything we do, your voice, your decisions. Meet our first YAB cohort (2024 – 2026).
