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.
All our in-house interpreters, lipspeakers and the freelance interpreters we use, are highly trained and are officially registered.
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.
Want to learn British Sign Language? Or improve your lipreading skills? Then have a look at our training courses: We have a new Lipreading course starting in Autumn 2020!
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 (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.
Are you looking for a space to hold your meeting or conference? We have a variety of rooms to rent accommodating up to 90 people
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.
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.
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 what everyone is saying about us.
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
Somewhere for me to go, meet friend, enjoy myself.Deaf Older Persons Service User
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
Thank you and your team for your support, hard work and commitments to last night’s BSL Charter event.
Everyone really enjoyed the course and the presentation of it, thank you very much.Nottinghamshire Police May 2014
We really appreciated that you were able to provide Halal meat with vegan options.
Lip-reading classes have helped me to understand how to deal with problems…it is useful socially as we all have the same problems
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
Being able to meet others and also find out information on the illness I have.Deaf Older Persons Service User
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
Thank you so much, very prompt serviceSocial Worker, Nottinghamshire County Council
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
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
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
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
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.
“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.”