Welcome to Nottinghamshire Deaf Society

We are a registered charity based in Nottingham. Formed in 1890 by a group of philanthropic church and community leaders we have a vision of a society in which all deaf people can fully participate. Today NDS serves many deaf people across the county and region with a range of services including BSL interpreting, welfare rights advice and by supporting deaf community groups.

BSL Interpreting

All our in-house interpreters, lipspeakers and the freelance interpreters we use, are highly trained and are officially registered.

Request an Interpreter

Volunteering

We rely on our volunteers to be able to provide all of our services, we couldn’t operate without them generously giving their time, skills and expertise.

Opportunities

BSL Training

Want to learn British Sign Language? NDS offers three levels of nationally recognised qualifications – new courses will be starting in October 2019

Find Out More

Welfare Rights

The Welfare Rights Service helps Deaf and hard of hearing people access welfare benefits and services in their preferred language, whether that’s British Sign Language or English.

Access to Work

Access to Work (AtW) is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help disabled people start or stay in work.
This factsheet gives individuals an overview of Access to Work.

50+ Social Group

The 50+ group are self run and have their own committee who arrange activities, day trips and a holiday each year.

About Us

Nottinghamshire Deaf Society (NDS), is a registered charity based in Forest Road West, it was formed in 1890 by a group of philanthropic church and community leaders who had a vision for a society in which all deaf people can fully participate.

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about_image The success of the charity today is built on the wonderful history and rich culture of the deaf community. We have an enviable reputation for providing community outreach for 400 Deaf service users from their centre on Forest Road West.

We give deaf people access to a range of tailored information and support services such as welfare benefits advice, training, luncheon clubs and befriending schemes. With a team of British Sign Language Interpreters on hand to provide vital support in times of crisis and need, NDS really is a bridge between a hearing and a deaf world.

Vision, Mission and Values

What makes us different?

Our Vision?

We have a vision for a society in which all deaf people can fully participate…

Our Mission?

Our mission is to improve the social inclusion and well-being of deaf people across the East Midlands…

Our Values?

Our Values underpin all we do and how we behave as an organisation and as individuals…

Find Out More

Booking open for Autumn BSL Courses

July 4, 2019
By Administrator
No CommentsPosted in Blog / News, Press

We are pleased to announce that booking is now open for our range of Accredited and Taster BSL Courses here at NDS. Our training department goes from strength to strenth with over 100 students on our Signature accredited courses.

This autumn we are offering 2 Tasters in early September followed by the main BSL levels 1-2 courses starting in early October. We are really pleased to offer entrance to daytime courses in Level 1 and 2 and will also be running a Level 3 course as we have done for some years.

As one of the largest Signature Centres in the East Midlands we are proud of the quality of our teaching and consequently the level of our results. We are hoping to continue this this autumn and look forward to welcoming many more people to join our courses which are delivered int he home of the local Deaf community.

To Find out more about what we offer look at our course summaries.

Open event for Interpreting Service

February 28, 2019
By NDS
No CommentsPosted in Blog / News

We are having an information meeting about the Interpreting Service

Come and find out more about NSLIS Interpreting Service and Video Relay Service (VRS), and tell us you view about when duty times should be.

When? 2 sessions:

Tuesday 12th March 2pm at Mansfield CVS, Wood Street, Mansfield

Wednesday 13th March at NDS, 22 Forest Road, Mottingham

Find out more information here: open events

Looking forward to seeing you!

NDS joins the Nottingham 10K

February 8, 2019
By Administrator
No CommentsPosted in Blog / News

We are proud to announce that we are a Charity Partner for the Jane Tomlinson’s Nottingham 10K run in partnership with the ASDA Foundation. The Nottingham 10K is on Sunday 16th June at Nottingham University on a new course for 2019.

Testimonials

Find out what everyone is saying about us.

I’ve been using this centre for decades, I have learnt so much from those I have met here, it has shaped my life and helped me achieve fulfilment. I want to carry this on, supporting and helping other deaf people, encouraging them that they too can be a success and feel fulfilled.Christine Townsend

Somewhere for me to go, meet friend, enjoy myself.Deaf Older Persons Service User

Being able to meet others and also find out information on the illness I have.Deaf Older Persons Service User

This has to be the most valuable and eye-opening training I’ve had in a long time. Very well presented.Nottinghamshire Probation Trust Staff Member Feb 2014

It is imperative for us to have access to an Interpreting service and we find the one provided by NSLIS to be extremely reliable and accommodating. The Interpreters we receive are all very professional and friendly with both the individual employee and the section as a whole. Without this service we would not be able to include our employee in many of the section meetings and personal training sessions. Booking the service is straightforward and reliable, to date we have not encountered any late cancellations or problems. Thank you for the service you provide, it is very much appreciatedSenior Assistant Accountant, Gedling Borough Council

I found the whole course very interesting and enlightening. I feel more aware of what I need to do to communicate and what to remember a deaf/hard of hearing person may be experiencing.NHCT Staff Member Feb 2014

Thank you and your team for your support, hard work and commitments to last night’s BSL Charter event.

I find the team very flexible to my needs. Interpreters are always professional and confidential during jobs. Interpreters are always on time and well prepared in order to do an effective job! The booking team always try to match the appropriate interpreter with the client.Deaf Professional

We have always found that Nottinghamshire Deaf Society provides a very friendly and efficient service to clients who would otherwise find it very difficult to access the advice they need.Advice Group

The staff on the course really enjoyed it and felt that they learnt a lot in a very short space of time.Nottingham Trent University Union June 2014

Thank you so much, very prompt serviceSocial Worker, Nottinghamshire County Council

We really appreciated that you were able to provide Halal meat with vegan options.

Everyone really enjoyed the course and the presentation of it, thank you very much.Nottinghamshire Police May 2014

Thanks for coming to my home to help me fill in my son’s DLA form. I couldn’t have done them without your help.Hard of Hearing Client

I really enjoyed today. I found it really fun and interesting.Headway Staff Member July 2014

NDS gives me confidence to socialise and make new friends, be informed about hearing loss and equipment available.

Lip-reading classes have helped me to understand how to deal with problems…it is useful socially as we all have the same problems

125+ Years of History

“Our charity is a valuable resource to deaf people in Nottinghamshire,
it has an enviable reputation for the work it does. It’s vital for us to let
people know about the work we do here in Nottingham. We want to
promote an inclusive community in which all deaf people can fully
participate.”