One in six people are deaf or have some hearing loss and we want to make sure everyone is included in our churches. One in a thousand people have more severe deafness and use British Sign language (BSL) as their language of choice.
We want to make sure every church is inclusive. Not only does it open the riches of the Christian faith to deaf people, but the use of Sign Language enhances worship, and the presence of the deaf community enriches the Church. We can also help schools explore the Bible and faith in Sign Language.
Revd Neil Robinson is Chaplain to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Contact Revd Neil: email, deafpriest@icloud.com, text, 07717 055219
The Deaf Chaplaincy Service is about being available for all people with various levels of hearing loss, ranging from profoundly deaf with BSL to mild hearing loss, including people who are deaf-blind. The chaplaincy is offers support for funerals, christenings, weddings, pastoral care, Confirmation classes, school visits, and hospital visits. All is accessed by BSL with an interpreter available if a hearing family needs one. The Deaf Awareness Course is available for hearing people.
“Hello. My name is Neil Robinson. As an ordained Church of England priest, it is my pleasure to have an opportunity to minister to your needs as deaf or hard-of-hearing people.
I am a profoundly deaf BSL user so I am able to communicate with anyone. I am happily married to Helen, who is also profoundly deaf. We both use cochlear implant processors.
From time to time, you may need someone to pray for you about certain situations you are experiencing. It is important that you should go to hospital if you are seriously ill or in need of urgent medical assistance. If there is a need for a funeral service or baptism service in BSL, please contact me directly. I will go and assist you in any way I can, regardless of time or location.
It may take you a while to get to know me better. If you fancy a chance to meet me, I would love to get to know you.”
Online BSL Bible Study
Join the Revd Neil Robinson every other Wednesday evening for an online Bible Study held in British Sign Language. All are welcome to join. Contact Neil for more information and to receive the Zoom link.
Warminster Coffee Gathering
Every 3rd Friday each month, at 14:00, Malto Lounge, Warminster, 37 Market Pl, Warminster BA12 9AS. The aim of this group is to gather together in community and give space for to chat.
Approximately 11 million people in the UK have some form of hearing loss and sadly, many services remain inaccessible to deaf people. As our communities continue to grow, Revd Neil Robinson, Chaplain to the Deaf Community, has recently published new guidelines to “help familiarise yourself with how to engage with people with various levels of hearing loss within the church setting” and how to “be aware of their needs in terms of communication”.
This resource is for all members of the congregation, lay people and clergy. Please further and strengthen your skills of communication for all.
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Guidelines on working with Deaf Community
• Here are some written guidance notes on how to communicate with deaf people.
• Disability & the church podcast, hosted by The Church of England.
• The Church of England resource page.
We are keen to ensure Deaf people have access to Church of England weddings, funerals and baptisms in our diocese. Various services can be offered in British Sign Language (BSL) or other methods of communication to meet everyone’s needs. To secure an interpreter, please contact The Revd Neil Robinson.
Contact the The Revd Neil Robinson
Chaplain to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Email: deafpriest@icloud.com Text: 07717 055219