Fundraising appeal will support young Deaf students

The Deaf Academy has launched a £60,000 fundraising appeal to transform its outdoor space into a vibrant, inclusive sensory play area tailored to its Deaf students with complex additional needs.

The current play area is outdated, uninspiring, and unsuitable for the Academy’s students. It was originally created for early years children, so the existing equipment does not meet the current students’ developmental and sensory requirements. The planned new space will provide an environment that supports their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing, helping them to learn, regulate, and thrive.

The redevelopment will introduce resurfaced walkways, wheelchair-accessible structures, and interactive elements that stimulate the senses. Features will include raised planters filled with fragrant herbs such as mint and lavender, climbing structures, balance beams, and a sunken trampoline to encourage physical activity. A covered seating area will help students develop communication skills, while a gazebo will provide a calming retreat for students who require sensory regulation.

Deaf Academy teacher Hannah Reeves, who is leading this project, emphasised the importance of this transformation:

She said “Our current outdoor space is tired, empty, and underused – a wasted opportunity. All of our students have additional needs, including vision impairments and learning difficulties, and they require a space that meets their sensory needs. This new play area will be designed with that in mind, allowing them to explore, engage, and develop essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment.”

To ensure the space is fully inclusive and future-proofed, the Academy has collaborated with staff from classes across the school and college to design a play area based on sensory circuits, incorporating ‘calming’, ‘organising’, and ‘alerting’ or ‘physical’ activities. The project will also feature role-play sheds designed like a supermarket and café, enabling students to practice everyday communication and life skills before applying them in real-world settings.

Hannah added: “This vital project will enhance the educational experience of Deaf children and young people with additional needs, empowering them to reach their full potential.”

The Deaf Academy is a unique provision in the UK, offering a specialist curriculum, teaching, support and care to Deaf young people (aged 9 to 25), the majority of whom have accompanying additional needs.

As a charity, the Academy provides a range of services to Deaf young people and their families including education, residential care, and support. In addition, it is also involved in research and development and training for professionals working with Deaf young people.

The charity delivers regular free British Sign Language (BSL) weekends to any family across the South West who has a Deaf child. This is part of its charitable objectives, supporting families’ essential need to learn BSL in order to communicate with their child. This new play space will also provide a lovely relaxing and safe space for families in which to learn with their child during these sessions.

And fundraising has already begun, with parents, staff and students rallying around the campaign. Plans include a fundraising auction, sponsored walk with students and one staff member is planning a sky dive. In addition, Debbie Elphick, one of the Academy’s communication support workers, recently ran her 11th marathon to raise money for the exciting project.

For more information on how to donate to the fundraising campaign and create a bespoke, inclusive and age-appropriate play area for the Academy’s Deaf young people, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sensoryplayarea