Deaf News: Walsall Deaf People’s Centre to close

In a huge blow for the Deaf community in the West Midlands, it has been announced that Walsall Deaf People’s Centre will close at the end of June.

At an Emergency General Meeting on 13th May, it was announced that staff have been made redundant, and that there are several options for what happens after the closure of the building.

The news was greeted with dismay from local Deaf people, including one person who said: “My mom goes there every Monday for Bingo it’s a place for her to go and socialize with her friends. It’s a lifeline for many deaf people. I used to go there as a child have fond memories.”

The closure is just one of a number of Deaf clubs that have closed over the last few years, reducing the opportunities for Deaf people to meet each other in their own space, and for people new to the Deaf community to make their first steps in the Deaf world.

Local sign artist Fletch@, who grew up going to the centre, posted this emotional message on Facebook:

We asked the Centre for a statement, and they sent the following, which was also posted on Facebook with a BSL translation (also below):

WDPC Face Book statement.

Thank you to all who attended our Emergency General Meeting at Walsall Deaf People’s Centre on Monday 13^th May. We are posting this announcement for those who were not able to attend.

BSL translation:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=291356538418311

The trustees regret to inform you the Deaf centre will close its doors on Friday 28^th June and all staff have been made redundant because we have run out of money.

During the meeting people wanted more detailed information about the finances. We are happy to share this information and you can find the details on the link below for our full accounts.

How have we got to this point: 

Positives

• We made funding applications and received some small core grants
• Some well attended events – e.g. comedy night, Halloween, 1940’s
• Strong success rate with BSL students
• Partnership working – The Sign Life/Zebra/Drama group
• European Social Funding project
• We have maintained the Deaf centre for the last 4 years

Negatives

• Lost the Disability grant forum and staff
• Loss of money from room hire
• Loss of income from students BSL classes
• Loss of a big interpreting contract because of changes in the law
• Not enough Deaf people supporting the centre/using the building making it difficult to apply for funding

This means we have run out of money.

During the meeting we discussed 3 options with the Deaf community who attended.

Option One:  Sell the building and close the charity.

Any money left will be donated to a Deaf charity operating locally or nationally.

Advantages – funds gained would sustain another Deaf charity and Deaf people in general

Disadvantage – lose the building, and lose the money from the sale of the centre for local Walsall Deaf people

Option Two: Sell the building and buy or rent a smaller venue.

Advantages – opportunity to continue, frees up cash in short term, gives us time to plan for the future, have a fresh start about how services are delivered. Restructuring opportunities – for example change of Trustees. Gives the Deaf community the opportunity to contribute what they want to happen.

Disadvantages – We won’t know what it looks like, long term it won’t solve the lack of funding in terms of sustainability. It will take time to sell and find another building.

Option Three: Sell the front half of the building and rent or keep the social club part.

Advantages – we would retain some of the building for the Deaf community. It free up some cash in the short term.

Disadvantages – The building would sell for less. It would be expensive to split the building and if we rented there is no guarantee we could do this long term. Rental costs would need to be covered ongoing.

A show of hands indicated that most attendees preferred option 2.  We are happy for people to feedback what they prefer. All the feedback and comments will be discussed at our trustees meeting next week. In addition, many people said they wanted more of the Deaf community represented on the board; if you are interested please get in touch.

We will have a final meeting on Sat 15^th June.

We understand this is a difficult and challenging time.

Regards,

Board of trustees, CEO and staff