Health
DSN is committed to developing and delivering innovative services and support programmes to promote health and well-being in our communities.
We work closely with our service users and partners in health and commissioning to ensure that health messages and services are accessible and available to all, and are always eager to find out about your experiences to see how we can further improve health pathways for people with a sensory loss.
Services
Health Awareness and Deafness (HAnD)
Our HAnD programme promotes health awareness across the Deaf community, and has been a vital source of information and advice over many years. DSN has helped service users understand more about health issues including cancer, heart disease, mental health and stroke awareness, and so much more.
This links well with our wider research into Deafness and Dementia, and our focus on combatting social isolation and loneliness which can have such a negative impact on health if not addressed.
We are proud of our work in this area, and look forward to developing greater links with health partners in the coming years.
Resources
Six great short films to download in BSL from Public Health England
Videos include:
Home isolation and those with symptoms
Essential advice
Spot the signs
How to use the NHS
Face touching
Health Advice In BSL
Deaf people are more likely to be undiagnosed, or poorly treated, for a range of health conditions. To try to help address this, SignHealth have created a library of health advice in BSL.
Consent within the deaf community (with subtitles, BSL & voiceover)
DSN are delighted to be sharing two short, but very important, information films, which were made with the support and help of Chester Sexual Abuse Support Services (CSASS) and Sign Health. CSASS is a great team of friendly woman working to help survivors of sexual abuse ensuring they feel safe and supported.
These educational films are specifically designed to help D/deaf people to understand the complex issues of consent and disclosure and to feel safe and in control.
Please use and share these films on your web-sites and social media to help raise awareness about Consent and how to respond to a Disclosure.
Once you have seen the video’s and if you have any further questions you would like to ask please feel free to contact us at dsn@dsnonline.co.uk requesting a confidential conversation and/or meeting
These films were part of a project funded by Rosa-UK Fund for Women & Girls
SignHealth Coronavirus Impacts Survey Results
In August and September, SignHealth conducted a survey asking deaf people about the impacts of the pandemic on mental health, healthcare and information accessibility. 93 deaf people responded to the survey.
This is the full video of the report.
Visit the SignHealth website to view the full report in English: signhealth.org.uk/resources/coronavirus-impacts-report/
Crisis Text Line for Deaf People
Deaf people who need help with urgent issues such as suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues will now be able to access support immediately. If you’re Deaf and experiencing a personal crisis, unable to cope and need support, text DEAF to the number 85258.

Information and Advice
COVID-19 – NHS Test and Trace
We are working with NHS Test and Trace to ensure our centres are as safe and secure as possible.
There are QR codes around our centres that you can scan when entering to check-in.
Welsh Government services and information
What restrictions will be in place?
There are 5 main things:
- people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes
- people must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with
- certain businesses and venues, including bars, restaurants and most shops must close
- secondary schools will provide learning online only for the week after half-term, other than for children in years seven and eight. Primary schools and childcare settings will remain open.
- face coverings continue to be mandatory in the indoor public spaces that remain open (subject to certain exemptions and exceptions), including on public transport and in taxis
If you break these new laws:
- You may be told to go home or removed from where you are and returned home.
- You could have to pay a fixed penalty notice of £60. This will rise to £120 for the second breach,
- Or you could have criminal proceedings brought against you, and if found guilty, you will have to pay a fine.
Even where something may be allowed, we ask you not to think about whether it is permitted but whether it is truly necessary and sensible. The purpose of this short lockdown is to create a concerted national effort to do everything we can to stop the spread of coronavirus, and every individual contribution to that counts.
How long will these measures stay in place?
These measures will be in place from 6pm Friday 23 October until the start of Monday 9 November 2020.
Gwasanaethau a gwybodaeth Llywodraeth Cymru
Pa gyfyngiadau fydd ar waith?
Mae 5 prif beth:
- rhaid i bobl aros adref, ac eithrio at ddibenion cyfyngedig iawn
- ni chaiff pobl ymweld ag aelwydydd eraill na chwrdd â phobl eraill nad ydynt yn byw gyda nhw
- rhaid i fusnesau a lleoliadau penodol, gan gynnwys bariau, bwytai a’r rhan fwyaf o siopau gau
- bydd ysgolion uwchradd yn dysgu ar-lein yn unig yn ystod yr wythnos ar ôl hanner tymor, ac eithrio ar gyfer plant ym mlynyddoedd saith ac wyth. Bydd ysgolion cynradd a lleoliadau gofal plant ar agor
- mae gorchuddion wyneb yn parhau i fod yn orfodol yn y lleoliadau cyhoeddus o dan do sydd ar agor (yn amodol ar rai eithriadau ac esemptiadau), gan gynnwys ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ac mewn tacsis
Os byddwch yn torri’r cyfreithiau newydd hyn:
- Efallai y gofynnir ichi fynd adref neu byddwch yn cael eich danfon adref.
- Gallech orfod talu hysbysiad cosb benodedig o £60. Bydd hwn yn codi i £120 am yr ail drosedd,
- Neu gellir cymryd camau troseddol yn eich erbyn. Ar ôl eich cael yn euog bydd rhaid ichi dalu dirwy.
- Hyd yn oed lle y gellir caniatáu rhywbeth, gofynnwn ichi beidio â meddwl a yw’n cael ei ganiatáu, ond yn hytrach a yw’n wirioneddol angenrheidiol a synhwyrol. Diben y cyfnod atal byr hwn yw creu ymdrech genedlaethol ar y cyd i wneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i atal lledaeniad coronafeirws, ac mae pob cyfraniad unigol yn cyfrif.
Am ba hyd y bydd y mesurau hyn ar waith?
Bydd y mesurau hyn ar waith o 6pm ddydd Gwener 23 Hydref tan ddechrau dydd Llun 9 Tachwedd 2020.
999BSL – (UK Emergency Video Relay Service) – new app coming soon
999BSL is a new UK Emergency Video Relay Service (VRS) service:- from the 17th June 2022 - you can download the app and this provide a service for deaf BSL users to contact the emergency services through a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter (only in the UK). For...
SignUp – now auditioning British Sign Language (BSL) Deaf relay interpreters for their Disney+ Movies.
We are hiring! SignUp is now auditioning British Sign Language (BSL) Deaf relay interpreters for their Disney+ movies. For more information or to apply please email signupinterp@gmail.com [video width="1280" height="720"...
Kat & Laura will be doing Sky Dive for DSN – They did it!!!!!!!!!
What are you doing today? Going to work? Shopping? Taking the kids to school? Laura and Kat will be JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE in support of DSN! Show them your support by visiting their JustGiving page Kat & Laura Deaf Awareness Week Sky Dive for DSN ...
DSN will be closed on Monday 2nd May due to the Bank Holiday.
For your information: Important notice – Fraudulent activity – Warrington ❗
Important notice – Fraudulent activity - Warrington ❗ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LpQsf2fFbw
YOUTH VIBE – APRIL PROGRAMME
HAnD Project – talk about Dementia on 20th April 2022 at Chester Deaf Centre
FREE Deaf Awareness Sessions – proudly presented by DSN and funded by the CWaC Equality and Diversity Fund
Be aware ….. covid-19 testing ends 31st March 2022
Covid Testing End_A4_6858_OL
Deafness Support Network (DSN) will be closed on Wednesday 16th March 2022 due to staff training.
Deafness Support Network (DSN) will be closed on Wednesday 16th March 2022 due to staff training. We will re-open on Thursday 17th March 2022 at 9:00am Staff training 16.03.2022