About DSN

BSL

About DSN

We are working towards a world where people with sensory loss can communicate effectively and live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.

DSN was founded in 1976 as the Cheshire Deaf Society, and now provides a wide range of support and services for Deaf, Deafblind, and people with a Visual Impairment in Cheshire and the surrounding area.

The services we provide are highlighted on this site, many of them also in BSL, or you can contact us or visit one of our centres.

Making a difference – that’s what the DSN team does best, and we are proud of the difference we have made to the quality of life of thousands of service users and their families since we were founded in 1976.

Everyone at DSN is driven by the needs of our community to continuously improve what we do, developing innovative ways to deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.

This person-centred approach, focused on improving equality of access, life experiences and opportunities for Deaf people drives everything we do. This commitment defines us, and will continue to inspire us to deliver a better future.

DSN’s History BSL Video

Team

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers work across Cheshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, and are committed to helping people with sensory loss communicate effectively and live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.

Meet some of the team

DSN’s Team BSL Video

Trustees & Governance

DSN’s Trustees are volunteers, and we are proud to say that we have strong representation on our board from the communities we serve. The Board of Trustees ensure that we always put the needs of our users first.

Meet our trustees

DSN’s Trustees BSL Video

Our History

Back in 1976, Trustees of the Chester and North Wales Society for the Deaf, and of the Warrington and District Society for Deaf People, together made a landmark decision to form the Cheshire Society for the Deaf, now operating as Deafness Support Network (DSN).

The local societies (Deaf Clubs) in Chester, Warrington and Vale Royal retained their independence and continue to thrive to this day, sharing premises with DSN. Each society serves a distinct local community but is strengthened by its partnership with DSN, which is able to innovate and develop, whilst acting as a guide and support for the local organisations.

Our Vision

A world where people with sensory loss can communicate effectively and live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.

The DSN Team

We have an amazing team of more than 70, working across Cheshire, Flintshire & Wrexham to support people with sensory loss. You can find out more about joining our team here.

Mark Lunney

CEO

I joined DSN in 2020 & have previously worked extensively in the sector across Lancashire as CEO of Lancashire Mind Ltd, and more recently across Merseyside, as CEO of Age UK Mid Mersey. I am totally committed to working collaboratively with health & social care providers & commissioners on a range of client group needs, creating social value & improving people’s general health & wellbeing.

Gill Reeder

Executive Operations

I began working for the organisation in 1975, qualifying as a Social Worker in 1988. I have a passion for supporting people and working on new initiatives. I enjoy the variety of my day to day work and working alongside a great team of people. My role as Executive of Operations is to manage the providers services for people living with a sensory loss.

Michelle Simpson

Supported Living Executive

I joined DSN in 2004 but I have worked within the Deaf Community since 1988. When working in a Supported Living environment, every day is different and can change at any moment, but I love making a difference to peoples lives and wellbeing whenever I can. I am particularly proud to work with such a caring, dedicated and highly skilled staff team.

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Kirstin McCallum

Management Support Officer

I joined DSN in 2008, and have responsibility for ensuring we attract, retain & develop our strong employee base, providing the necessary skill set & values for us to deliver vital support through a variety of projects & services. I love the challenge each day brings & feel proud to work with a team of people who give so much of themselves to help others.

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Trustees & Governance

DSN’s board of Trustees are people who give their time voluntarily to guide and support the development of the charity.

Our Trustees are responsible for governing DSN and for the policy and strategy of the organisation. Whilst day to day management of DSN is the responsibility of the CEO and senior managers, Trustees set the direction of DSN and ensure proper scrutiny of our actions.

Meeting quarterly, Trustees bring their skills and experience to help shape our future, and ensure we are meeting the needs of the communities we serve and compliant with our stated objectives. A yearly report is submitted to regulatory bodies and is available on request.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be a trustee at such an important and well run charity”.

Ben Colman

DSN Trustee

Ben Colman

Chair

David Pane

Trustee

Peter Morley

Trustee

Janet Huntington

Trustee

Natalie Doyle

Trustee

David Horrocks

Trustee

Become a Trustee

We are looking for amazing people!

Can you give up some of your time to help our local charity working to support D/deaf and other sensory loss needs? We are urgently seeking new board members, to oversee governance and provide strategic leadership at an exciting time of change and growth.

Empathy towards sensory loss would be an advantage, but not essential. Passion and commitment are far more attractive to us. We are particularly keen to hear from people with a strong Finance, Legal or Health & Social care background. If you want to make a difference locally, contact us and try volunteering.

This is an unremunerated role, but reasonable travel expenses are met. For an informal chat about the role call Mark on 0333 220 5050.

Give something back and make a difference!

For more information, contact mlunney@dsnonline.co.uk

Cyfathrebu

Mae Tîm Cyfathrebu DSN yn darparu ystod o wasanaethau hanfodol i bobl fyddar, gan sicrhau mynediad cyfartal i ystod eang o wasanaethau.

Dehonglwyr ar gyfer BSL/Saesneg a byddar/dall a byddar

Cymerwyr nodiadau

Gwefuslafarwyr proffesiynol

Gweithredwyr lleferydd-i-destun

Ein dehonglwyr

Mae ein Dehonglwyr i gyd wedi’u cofrestru gyda Chofrestr Genedlaethol Gweithwyr Cyfathrebu Proffesiynol sy’n gweithio gyda Phobl Fyddar a Phobl Dall a Byddar (NRCPD).

I archebu Dehonglwyr, neu gymorth cyfathrebu arall, cysylltwch â ni

Gwasanaethau Hyfforddi

Rydym yn cynnig cyrsiau sydd yn rhyngweithiol, yn addysgiadol, yn bleserus ac wedi’u cynllunio i wella cyfathrebu rhwng pobl fyddar a phobl sy’n clywed.

Gallwn hefyd deilwra a phersonoli cyrsiau i anghenion cyrff neu grwpiau o unigolion.

Mae ein staff hyfforddi i gyd yn arbenigwyr yn eu pwnc ac, yn hanfodol, yn meddu hefyd ar brofiadau personol o bob ffurf ar fyddardod. Mae gan y gymuned fyddar hanes a diwylliant cyfoethog ac mae ein hyfforddwyr yn adlewyrchu hyn.

Mae’r hyfforddiant yn addas i bawb ac yn gallu cynnwys:

Ymwybyddiaeth o Fyddardod (DAT)
Cwrs Iaith Arwyddion Prydain (BSL Lefelau 1, 2, 3 a 4)
Ymwybyddiaeth o gymorth clyw
Tactegau cyfathrebu
Cyrsiau blasu mewn ystod o bynciau

Caiff y cyrsiau eu hardystio gan, ac yn cynnig cymhwyster cydnabyddedig gan, y corff dyfarnu SIGNATURE, a SEFYDLIAD IAITH ARWYDDION PRYDAIN (IBSL).

“Rwyf wedi cwblhau fy nghyrsiau BSL i gyd drwy DSN. Ar hyn o bryd rwy’n gwneud fy Lefel 4. Rwyf wedi mwynhau bob un o’r cyrsiau yr wyf wedi eu cwblhau ac wedi cael llawer o hwyl yn eu gwneud!”

“Mae DSN yn darparu amgylchedd dysgu hamddenol a chyfeillgar. Rwyf wedi dysgu llawer gan fy nhiwtor ac wedi mynd ymlaen i ddefnyddio’r sgiliau a’r cymwysterau yr wyf wedi eu hennill yn fy ngyrfa. Buaswn yn argymell i unrhyw un gwblhau eu cyrsiau drwy DSN a’u tiwtoriaid.”

Ynglŷn â DSN

Rydym yn gweithio tuag at fyd lle gall pobl sydd â nam synhwyraidd gyfathrebu yn effeithiol a byw bywydau iach, annibynnol a boddhaus. Sefydlwyd DSN yn 1976 fel y Cheshire Deaf Society, ac erbyn hyn mae’n darparu ystod eang o gymorth a gwasanaethau i bobl Fyddar, pobl Fyddar a Dall a phobl â Nam ar eu Golwg yn Swydd Gaer a’r cyffiniau.

Amlygir y gwasanaethau a ddarperir gennym ar y wefan hon, llawer ohonynt mewn BSL hefyd, neu gallwch gysylltu â ni neu ymweld ag un o’n canolfannau.

Tîm Mae ein tîm ymroddedig o staff a gwirfoddolwyr yn gweithio ledled Swydd Gaer, Sir y Fflint a Wrecsam, ac yn ymrwymedig i helpu pobl sydd â nam synhwyraidd i gyfathrebu yn effeithiol a byw bywydau iach, annibynnol a boddhaus.

Ymddiriedolwyr a Llywodraethiant

Mae Bwrdd Ymddiriedolwyr DSN yn bobl sy’n rhoi o’u hamser yn wirfoddol i arwain a chefnogi datblygiad yr elusen.

Mae ein Hymddiriedolwyr yn gyfrifol am lywodraethu DSN ac am bolisi a strategaeth y sefydliad. Er mai cyfrifoldeb y Prif Weithredwr a’r uwch reolwyr yw rheoli DSN o ddydd i ddydd, yr Ymddiriedolwyr sy’n pennu cyfeiriad DSN ac yn sicrhau bod ein gweithredoedd yn cael eu craffu’n gywir.

Gan gyfarfod bob chwarter, mae’r Ymddiriedolwyr yn dod â’u sgiliau a’u profiad i helpu i lunio ein dyfodol, a sicrhau ein bod yn cwrdd ag anghenion y cymunedau yr ydym yn eu gwasanaethau ac yn cydymffurfio â’n hamcanion datganedig. Cyflwynir adroddiad blynyddol i gyrff rheoleiddio, ac mae ar gael ar gais.

Dod yn Ymddiriedolwr

Mae DSN bob amser yn awyddus i glywed gan bobl sydd eisiau gwneud gwahaniaeth cadarnhaol o fewn ein cymuned.

Mae bod yn Ymddiriedolwr yn ffordd wych o helpu i bennu ein cyfeiriad a’n galluogi i ddarparu’r gwasanaethau sydd ar bobl eu hangen ac y gallant ymddiried ynddynt.

Mae’n gyfle gwirioneddol i rannu eich sgiliau a’ch profiad, cyfarfod pobl newydd a chymryd rhan weithredol yn ein datblygiad parhaus a’n cymhelliant i wneud gwelliannau parhaus.