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BSL-accessible English and Maths classes

17 November 2024

27th November 2024 Are you interested in improving your English or Maths skills? We run classes here at MDC which are fully deaf-accessible and supported by BSL interpreters. You will be supported to learn in a relaxed environment at your own individual level. New courses will be starting


Future Deaf Teachers Pathway Course

17 November 2024

27th November 2024 Are you: deaf? aged 19 or over? considering career options? Have you considered a career in teaching? There is currently a shortage of experienced and qualified deaf BSL teachers. Demand for BSL tuition is growing following the BSL Act 2022, and the government’s decision


Mother’s moving testimony as a successful BSL student

17 November 2024

27th November 2024 My son was born profoundly deaf. His first two years were in complete silence and he did not learn any speech. At the age of two he had a cochlear implant but it has taken a long time for him to get used to it. Towards the age of three he was getting very frustrated. He had


Learning BSL for free with Manchester Deaf Centre

17 November 2024

Are you: deaf, deafened or hard of hearing yourself and have never had opportunity to learn BSL? a family member of a person who is deaf and you want to learn BSL? a deaf BSL user and you have family or friends who want to learn BSL to be better able to communicate with you? a Manchester


Celebrate International Sign Language Day by coming to learn with MDC

26 September 2024

2​6th September 2024 Hello! "This week on Monday was International Sign Language Day, let’s celebrate! I would like to talk about the BSL team of teachers at Manchester Deaf Centre, they have been very busy this week because so many classes have started. Five classes for Level 1, three


F​ree introduction to BSL course in November now open for bookings

24 September 2024

2​4th September 2024 This course is purely for fun and our informal sessions will cover sign vocabulary related to everyday life, including: family, friends, days of the week, numbers, meeting people and greetings. Great for people who are looking for a taster without committing to a fully


100% pass rate for our Level 1 and Level 2 BSL students so far

17 August 2024

A​ugust 2024 Huge congratulations to our students who took Signature Level 1 and Level 2 exams with us in 2023–2024. In total 69 students took their Level 1 exams and 30 students took Level 2 exams. They all worked really hard to achieve their qualifications. At the time of writing, we have


Deaf-accessible Driving Theory courses

17 August 2024

A​ugust 2024 We are thrilled to share the progress of our current students who are attending our Driving Theory course. They have been practising and learning driving theory in preparation for their exams. This journey has been made accessible with the support of a qualified driving instructor


Pre-employment skills course

17 August 2024

A​ugust 2024 MDC is working in partnership with the organisation Breakthrough UK to deliver a deaf-accessible pre-employment skills course, starting in September. The course is available to people aged 18 or over who live in Manchester, Salford, Stockport or Trafford. The course is 6-hours


Free deaf-accessible skills training courses for work in the fitness industry

17 August 2024

A​ugust 2024 Are you D/deaf, deafened or hard of hearing? Are you interested in work in the fitness industry as a gym instructor, personal trainer or a filmmaker? Would you like to remove barriers so that all deaf people can access sports and leisure facilities? We are sharing this


BSL pre level 3 course now open for booking

8 July 2024

8​th July 2024 I​f you are interested in doing Manchester Deaf Centre's BSL level 3 next January, then why not book on this course? Our pre level 3 course has been designed specifically by our BSL Lead to ready learners for their journey onto the Signature accredited BSL level 3 course. The pre


British Deaf Association conference 2024

22 May 2024

M​ay 2024 Manchester Deaf Centre staff were very proud to attend the 2024 British Deaf Association conference at the Hilton in Manchester this April. The conference title was “Early Years: the benefits of introducing Sign Language to deaf children” and MDC staff from both the Children and


Room hire at Manchester Deaf Centre

20 May 2024

M​ay 2024 Did you know that you can hire space at MDC? By booking with us, as well as getting a great room you are directly supporting our charity, as all proceeds are used towards the running of our centre and the services that we provide from it. We have different rooms available for hire


Update on our free BSL courses

20 May 2024

M​ay 2024 This year MDC worked with Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) to deliver a programme of free Introduction to BSL courses. Aimed at beginner level, the courses have improved access to BSL lessons for people who have a connection to deafness themselves, for example hearing people


New free introduction to BSL course added

14 May 2024

Page last updated Tuesday 14th May. New course added. Application portal now open. This will be our final free course on our 2023-2024 programme. This year we have received funding from Manchester Adult Education Service to deliver a programme of free BSL courses. These courses are all


Deaf-accessible maths class update

9 February 2024

Our deaf-accessible maths classes started again in January. The classes take place every week on Fridays from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Manchester Deaf Centre. So far everyone has been enjoying the sessions. These classes are run in partnership with the WEA and everyone’s communication needs are met.


Deaf-accessible driving theory course update

9 February 2024

Our driving theory course, which started in September 2023, has been very popular. The class is taught in BSL. It runs every Thursday from 12pm to 4pm at Manchester Deaf Centre. We will be providing some new start dates soon, so let us know if you are interested. Please note: the course is


Free BSL for beginners now booking

1 February 2024

Y​ou may be eligible for a free introductory course in British Sign Language! T​o find out more and apply see: https://www.manchesterdeafcentre.com/services/bsl-courses/learn-bsl-for-free/ Upcoming Courses 5-hour Introduction to BSL (online, Monday mornings) Start date: Monday 15 April


BSL courses open for applications

20 November 2023

Why not start the new year by learning a new skill? There are still places left on several of our BSL courses, which will be starting in January. F​ree BSL courses We are working together with Manchester Adult Education Service to offer a free programme of BSL courses. Places are available for


Northwest train stations improving access for BSL users

20 November 2023

MDC has been delivering Deaf Awareness and Introduction to BSL courses for Network Rail staff based at Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street station. The staff have been learning basic signs for customer service, giving times, numbers, directions and basic station-related vocabulary, to


Changing society to benefit the d/Deaf community

20 November 2023

The past 18 months has seen an increase in the amount of work that MDC is doing to influence change in mainstream society. External organisations are asking us more regularly to inform them about the experiences of the deaf community and the barriers faced. We are passionate about raising awareness


January's introduction to BSL courses now booking

14 November 2023

This is the perfect option if you would like a taster of BSL before committing to a full BSL Level 1 course. There are plenty of BSL courses out there, but how many of them are taught in real time by a qualified, experienced teacher? The refreshing thing about our courses is that they are


BSL level 3, and free introductory courses now booking

8 November 2023

F​ree introductory BSL courses! M​DC are pleased to be able to offer free introductory British Sign Language courses fo those who meet the criteria. This is a great opportunity to begin learning BSL. To find out more about free BSL courses and apply see:


New BSL-accessible Driving Theory classes, starting on Thursday 10 August at MDC

24 July 2023

Would you like to gain your driver’s licence? All drivers taking their driving licence must first pass a theory test. We have an exciting new opportunity for deaf BSL users who want to learn driving theory. Weekly BSL Driving Theory sessions Where: Manchester Deaf Centre When: Thursdays,


New BSL-accessible English and maths courses, starting in September at MDC

24 July 2023

English and maths courses are back! We will be partnering with the WEA again to run English and maths courses based at Manchester Deaf Centre. The new classes will start in September. If you are interested, there are 2 things you need to do: Please email waite@manchesterdeafcentre.com to register


Anita goes to the BSL Conference in London 

17 May 2023

In March this year, our staff member Anita Kanji had an exciting trip to London to attend the British Deaf Association’s 2023 BSL Conference. Here is Anita telling us all about her trip: "Hello, I want to tell you about my recent trip to the BSL conference. I really enjoyed being there. It was


Deaf Leaders for 17–24s, meet the new staff team on 31 May 4pm to 7pm

17 May 2023

Please come along to meet the new team at MDC on Wednesday 31 May, between 4pm and 7pm. We look forward to meeting you. We will be voting on a new name for the group when the sessions have started. Deaf Leaders is designed for 17 to 24-year-olds and provides young adults with opportunities for


100% success at Level 3 BSL

6 March 2023

We’d like to say a huge congratulations to all 12 of our Level 3 BSL course students. We recently learned that all the students passed their exams and achieved their Signature Level 3 qualification. MDC started to offer Level 3 courses in 2022, and this was our first cohort of students to complete


MDC Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation project

6 March 2023

Our new DASA (Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation) project is underway. Our project staff Michelle Reilly and Leah Witton are now providing the following: 1. Advice, advocacy and support to D/deaf individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse, including assistance in accessing safe accommodation.


MDC reaches Signature milestone – and will offer BSL Level 4 qualification from September 2023

11 December 2022

We have recently received a certificate from Signature, celebrating our 3-year milestone in successfully delivering Signature-accredited British Sign Language (BSL) courses Levels 1–3. Signature is a national charity and the leading awarding body and provider of BSL and other Deaf and Deafblind


Thank you to our partners


Our Opening Times

If you would like to know more about
any of our services, please get in touch.

ADDRESS
Manchester Deaf Centre,
Crawford House,
Booth Street East,
M13 9GH

MONDAY - FRIDAY
09:00 – 17:00

CONTACT US

0161 273 3415
info@manchesterdeafcentre.com

Registered Charity Number: 1110373