Deaf Action

Deaf Action Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity that supports and celebrates deaf people. Since 1835. Deaf Action is a charity supporting and celebrating deaf people.

We were established in 1835 and work with deaf people across Scotland and the South of England. Our work is geared towards empowering all deaf people to achieve their potential and fully participate in society, with equality of rights, access and opportunity. We have been at the forefront of progress and positive change within the deaf community for over 185 years, and we are very proud to be a deaf-led organisation. Almost half of our staff are deaf, and many more have grown up with deaf parents or siblings. We truly understand the challenges deaf people face, and believe that our collective experience allows us to honestly position ourselves as experts in unlocking deaf people’s potential.

09/10/2026

Making a splash at Foxlake Adventures! 🌊

Our Youth Club had a brilliant time at Foxlake Adventures recently, taking on the water obstacle course, trying something new and having plenty of fun along the way! 😍

Chosen by our Youth Council, the trip was all about having fun, building confidence and spending time with friends.

There were a few nerves at first, but it wasn't long before everyone was getting stuck in, encouraging each other and making a splash!

💬 "I love this! This is so much fun!"

At their next Youth Council meeting, the young people reflected on the experience, sharing how much they'd enjoyed it and how activities like these help build confidence and strengthen friendships 💙

Our monthly Youth Club activities are completely free for deaf young people aged 10–18, creating opportunities to make friends, try new experiences and have fun in an accessible environment.

🙌 Help us create more moments like these! Your donations help us provide activities, trips and opportunities for deaf young people 💙

Find out more about our Youth Club and how you can support our work 👇
https://deafaction.org/services/youth-service/

08/10/2026

Join one of our British Sign Language Taster Courses 😍

Our new 6-week BSL Taster Courses begin in a couple of weeks!

Discover the basics of British Sign Language (BSL) in a fun, friendly and relaxed environment, taught by our experienced deaf tutors.

Choose from online or in-person courses and take your first steps towards learning BSL!

📅 Online courses | Begins 22 & 26 October
📍 In-person in Edinburgh | Begins 22 October
⏰ Various daytime and evening sessions available

Places are limited, so book your place today 👇

📅 Online courses | Begins 22 & 26 October
🔗 https://ow.ly/EmkI50ZL9om

📍 In-person in Edinburgh | Begins 22 October
🔗 https://ow.ly/s6gq50ZL9oo

Did you know iHear is a deaf-led service from Deaf Action? 💜From home and everyday life to work or study, iHear helps de...
07/10/2026

Did you know iHear is a deaf-led service from Deaf Action? 💜

From home and everyday life to work or study, iHear helps deaf and hard-of-hearing people explore assistive technology that could make things easier.

Take a look at some of the ways iHear can help below 👇

Need support or advice? 🙋‍♂️Deaf Action is running a series of drop-in sessions across East Lothian for deaf, deafblind ...
05/10/2026

Need support or advice? 🙋‍♂️

Deaf Action is running a series of drop-in sessions across East Lothian for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people ☺️

Our team can support you with:
🔹 Specialist deaf equipment for your home
🔹 Social care
🔹 Benefits or money
🔹 Housing
🔹 Help with forms and letters
🔹 Accessing other services

Drop-in sessions will be available on the following dates and venues 👇

📆 Thursday 8 October, 2:30–4:30pm
📍 Prestongrange Community Centre, Preston Road, Prestonpans, EH32 9QS

📆 Saturday 31 October, 11am–1pm
📍 The Ridge, 1 Black Bull Close, High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JH

📆 Thursday 12 November, 2–4pm
📍 Fa'side Community Kitchen, East Lothian Co-op Bowling Club, Tranent, EH33 2BG

📆 Saturday 5 December, 12–2pm
📍 John Gray Centre, 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX

You don't need to book an appointment. Just come along to one of our upcoming sessions and get support from our team. Support is available in BSL and English 👋

Want to support Deaf Action? There are lots of ways to get involved 💜You could take on a fundraising challenge, organise...
02/10/2026

Want to support Deaf Action? There are lots of ways to get involved 💜

You could take on a fundraising challenge, organise something with friends, family or colleagues, support one of our events, make a donation, or come up with a fundraising idea of your own 🤩

However you choose to get involved, your support helps us continue our work supporting and celebrating deaf people.

Find out more about fundraising for Deaf Action 👇
https://ow.ly/UFbf50ZTPvj

Or get in touch with the team at [email protected] ✉️

Earlier this year, our CEO Philip Gerrard was awarded an MBE in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to the deaf commu...
01/10/2026

Earlier this year, our CEO Philip Gerrard was awarded an MBE in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to the deaf community, cultural inclusion and disability rights.

Philip received his MBE from His Majesty The King, accompanied by Deaf Action’s Interpreting Team Leader, Megan Frickleton, who interpreted between Philip and The King during the ceremony ☺️

For Philip, the recognition is about much more than a personal honour.

In his latest blog, Philip reflects on what the MBE means to him, Deaf Action and the wider deaf community. He shares some of the work that has shaped his journey and why there is still much more to do to achieve equality for deaf people.

“I do not see this MBE as mine alone. I see it as recognition of the deaf community, of Deaf Action’s work, and of the many individuals who have spent years advocating, campaigning, supporting, and leading.” 🤝

You can read Philip's blog by following the link below (includes BSL) 👇
https://ow.ly/IOZo50ZSJzm

01/10/2026

Youth Service Christmas Panto trip! ⭐

Join us for a magical trip to see The Adventures of Pinocchio, live at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh! Watch the classic tale of the beloved wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy come to life with song, dance, and plenty of festive laughs.

The show is available to all our Youth Club members, Parent & Toddler group and families!

🗓️ Sat 5 Dec 2026
🕑 2PM
🎟️ £24 per person (stalls seating near front for clear BSL views)
⏰ Deadline for booking Fri 13 Nov 2026 (limited spaces so please book in advance)

To book your place please email [email protected] with the following information:

- Number of tickets required
- Name of the child(ren)
- Name of the person purchasing the tickets
- Contact phone number
- A correct email address (tickets will be issued as e-tickets)

A member of the team will then be in touch to arrange payment and confirm your reservation.

For more information head over to our website!
🔗 https://ow.ly/aIBp50ZT1Hn

Football fundraiser! ⚽ A huge shoutout to Ladywell BCFC, who held their second annual charity football match this year, ...
25/09/2026

Football fundraiser! ⚽

A huge shoutout to Ladywell BCFC, who held their second annual charity football match this year, raising an incredible £1,000+ for our Family BSL Courses! 👏

Kris, the team’s goalkeeper, led on organising the charity match again this year, inspired by his daughter Lucie, who was born with severe hearing loss and wears a cochlear implant.

Thanks to their amazing support last year, we were able to provide Family BSL Courses to families like Kris and Lucie’s and this year’s fundraising means we can continue providing this vital support in the future 👏

“Like many families, we faced significant challenges during lockdown, particularly with limited access to Audiology services. Deaf Action gave us the opportunity to learn British Sign Language (BSL), providing us with a way to communicate with Lucie when spoken words alone weren’t enough. They also offered guidance and reassurance when we needed it most.”

A massive thank you to everyone at Ladywell BCFC, everyone who took part in the match, and everyone who supported their fundraising. Your support is helping families access BSL and build stronger communication with their deaf children 🩵

📸 Photos taken by Jason Prince

Our doors are open this weekend! 🏛️ As International Week of Deaf People comes to a close, we're continuing the celebrat...
24/09/2026

Our doors are open this weekend! 🏛️

As International Week of Deaf People comes to a close, we're continuing the celebration by opening up our Albany Street home for Doors Open Days 🥰

Come along for a free guided tour and discover nearly 200 years of deaf history, from our founding constitution and historic photographs to objects from Albany Deaf Church and its choir ❤️

📍 49 Albany St, Edinburgh, EH1 3QY
📅 Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September
🕛 12pm–5pm
🙋 Tours at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
🤚 Accessible in English & BSL
🎟️ Free, no booking required

Doors Open Days visitors can also enjoy 10% off at Blackwood Café & Bar ☕

Everyone is welcome! ❤️

Address

49 Albany Street
Edinburgh
EH13QY

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441315563128

Website

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