SignHealth

SignHealth are a Deaf-led charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Deaf people by providing access to healthcare and information.

SignHealth offers a range of services, including therapy, advocacy, domestic abuse support, and young people’s services.

Therapy

They provide NHS therapies for deaf people with anxiety and depression commissioned by NHS England. The service is free and all their therapists are deaf, or hearing and fluent in BSL. SignHealth therapy sessions are primarily delivered online but face-to-face can sometimes be arranged.

To access their therapy you must be aged over 18 and living in England or Wales.

More information on their therapy services can be found on their website.

Domestic Abuse Support

SignHealth domestic abuse service provides individual advice and support for deaf adults and young people experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence. They deliver prevention workshops as well as closed groups for deaf survivors.

Advocacy

Using BSL, their advocates help explain complicated situations, your rights and make sure you are properly heard. They specialise in working in mental health hospitals (for children and adults) and prisons, as well as with general issues related to care assessments, employment disputes, housing, benefits tribunals, etc.

Young People

There is information and support available for young people too:

1:1 Support – they provide a support service for deaf young people which you can refer yourself to or a parent/trusted adult can do the referral with you

Workshops – They offer a range of workshops for deaf young people. Most of their workshops take place at schools but they can also visit youth clubs, activity centres and other young people provisions. You can find out more about their workshops for deaf young people by contacting them at [email protected] and on their website.

Resources – they have some short films in BSL for children and young people.

British Sign Language (BSL) Health Information Resources

They have a large collection of health information in BSL, covering topics from cancer and depression, to types of abuse and how to perform first aid. You can search their BSL videos in their Health Video Library.