Here is a video blog from Deaf comedian and actor John Smith, in BSL, with a transcript in English below.
Transcript:
Years ago, lots of Deaf people went to the Deaf club.
There, they did sports, football, darts, different activities.
Then ‘Deaf Pub’ meet-ups started. That was fine. It was lovely for people to meet and chat.
But Deaf club attendances went down, and the number of people meeting at Deaf Pub meet-ups went up.
Some of the Deaf clubs closed down.
It’s interesting – hearing pubs have been closing down, but they’re full when they have Deaf Pub meet-ups!
The owners of the pubs must be saying “thank you” to the Deaf customers!
Plus, some Deaf Pub meet-ups charge a pound to get in. A pound?
A bouncer said the money was for Deaf children. I disagree with that. Why? It’s a public place. Most people don’t pay a pound to go in a pub!
Why do Deaf people have to pay a pound?
Some Deaf Pub events are free and that’s fine. But there’s one where you have to pay. Hmmm.
Would black people have to pay a pound to meet up? Wheelchair users? I don’t think so!
Anyway, I’m concerned that the number of people going to Deaf Pub events means that the Deaf community is disappearing.
I’ve been to Deaf Pubs, I’ve had a chat with people. But what about the Deaf community? Older people?
Young people or those who are under age? They can’t go to Deaf Pubs.
So I’m worried about the future of the community.
Deaf clubs have value.
People of any age can go. Children, adults.
In 2004, 2005, things changed.
Here’s one example of why Deaf clubs are good.
Before, I said I was going to do a talk on DLA, how it was changing to PIP. Everyone came. The Deaf club was full.
Everyone was worried about their DLA, they wanted to know what was happening.
The Deaf club gave them the information, not the Deaf Pub.
When Deaf clubs close, where will Deaf people get the information, and how?
John Smith is a Deaf comedian and actor, who is also a campaigner (and co-founder) for the Spit the Dummy campaign for a BSL Act.
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Tony Sutton (@tony_sutton)
January 30, 2014
100% totally agree. That’s why I, as a committee member of Norwich Deaf Social Club and other committee member, try our hardest to keep our Deaf Club open for everyone who need it. We arrange events for us to go out, we arrange games night, we arrange bingo night and it’s popular. But yes, I do see a steady decline numbers of people visiting and we rarely see young people go there anymore.
One could say that they blame the “social networking” as they can keep in touch with each other via it. Other could say it’s because we’re no longer fear of the ‘Outside World’ as we are now used to be as mainstream as possible with others.
But at the end of the day, like John Smith said, when you DO need the info, Deaf Club is the only place where you can go and get the info that you need with 100% Deaf Awareness people who work there.
We need to do more to make sure Deaf people are aware that they need to support their local Deaf Club and in return, they will support YOU when you DO need help.
Andy. Not him, me.
January 30, 2014
I think the reason for the decline in deaf clubs is very simple. People have more interesting things to do.
The deaf clubs I used to visit in my youth were pretty tame compared with hearing youth clubs. Deaf clubs were generally held in draughty dusty halls, with a rickety table tennis table and a 100 year old dartboard. Hearing youth clubs tended to have live bands, disco’s, coffee bars, drama clubs, cycle clubs and other things of that nature. Not to mention women.
When it came to a choice it was no contest even though the hearing youth clubs were more difficult situations. It’s quite difficult to chat girls up when you can’t understand a word they are saying! But hearing clubs were far more exciting and that is why the decline began.
Ever since, there have been better attractions. The home entertainment age came along and people found it more fun to stay at home playing Super Mario than hanging out in draughty halls.
The decline in pubs has been caused largely by the increased price of drinks. Nobody wants to pay silly money for booze when they can have it for half price at home. Any pub landlord knows that and so they have added attractions to bring people in. Like comedians 🙂
The problem deaf clubs face is that they have to compete with that and a good compromise has been to hold deaf meetings in pubs. You get beer, comfort companionship and many pubs have bar games anyway. My understanding is that the charge is made to provide food. The one I went to charged £10 and all surplus funds after the overheads had been met were donated to Hearing Dogs. The pub was open exclusively for deaf people and partners only and there were some small expenses involved. It worked very well but I am not sure if they are still going.
There’s a showbiz analogy really, if the show is no good then nobody will come. I think that is where deaf clubs are at now.
Joy
January 30, 2014
I totally agree with you about concerned over deaf clubs & services for deaf people I don’t agree to charge £1 for going to the pub I have been other pubs they don’t charge at all
johnny fantastica
January 31, 2014
I disagree with Andy, John is right, also many young people when they marry have children return to deaf clubs as cant go to deaf PUBs, so where they go ?.
our club is not cold draughty etc as he says, it is modern, we have all the modern facalities, WiFi, DVD, cinema, computers and many many more, also a bar,
I agree we must keep up with the times, if young people dont like deaf clubs, so why dont they take over and run them to what they want and have what they want and save deaf culture?, oh no leave it to just one or two to do all the work, when things not to their liking then they blame them.
if all the money spent in deaf Pubs went to the clubs then there will be modern deaf clubs thriving to keep all happy, but only happen if every deaf works in harmony not split in groups.
Linda Richards
January 31, 2014
Hi! Agree with your comment. Where is your club? Lmr xx
Andy. Not him, me.
January 31, 2014
Wait a minute… the thread is about deaf clubs that are NOT doing well.
I am perfectly well aware that there are deaf clubs that ARE doing well because people write and tell me about them.
It would be very helpful if someone could compile a listing of those that are still going because people very often ask where they can find their nearest club. You’ve got to help yourselves a little bit!
Linda Richards
January 31, 2014
We must must support the Deaf Clubs we want to support and others when they need our help. The Deaf Club is truly a ‘place of our own’ – somewhere we can go to use our language, have activities and caters for all ages. It is an important part of our culture and heritage. There are examples of good clubs and committed people working hard to manage and maintain Deaf Clubs. Good luck to all clubs. Thanks John also for reminding us how we can sometimes be two-faced or selfish. A club in London did the same as you. A meeting about benefits. What happened? Club was packed! Some came for information, some came because worried about cuts and changes, some came because they don’t want to lose their money. Doesn’t matter about their reasons. What matters is …. ALL came because the information was in BSL. ALL came because the person presenting was DEAF. ALL came because the information was delivered to SUIT Deaf people and covered THEIR questions. That’s why people came to the meeting – it was a ‘place of their own’. Someplace where everyone understood each other because everyone ‘spoke sign language’. Not just used sign language but understood what it means to be Deaf too. Go on, go home to your Clubs, take part, support them, give a hand to help and enjoy yourselves too! Lmr xx
Ste
May 20, 2015
Hi I’ve been looking for deaf clubs and information about local ones and about when they were started in Wales Ect I contacted my local deaf association and they didn’t know much if these clubs are going to stay open deaf associations should keep up to date with information hope you don’t mind this post