Press release
“Support group for families with deaf babies and toddlers receives National Lottery Funding
Little Hares, a support and advice group run by Mary Hare School for families with young children aged 3 and under who are deaf, has recently received recognition through funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and is shortlisted for an award from the National Association of Special Schools (NASS).
Little Hares is a new initiative that was first set up at Mary Hare School in 2023. It is a monthly support group that is free to attend for families and their babies or toddlers. Each session focuses on a theme such as, music therapy, baby-signing, reading, sensory play, speech and language and audiology. Each are led by professionals in their field and in deafness, offering maximum access to support and guidance for parents, who then also have the opportunity to meet other parents and children within the deaf community.
Little Hares has been running for 18 months, and has already been making a big impact to the families who attend.
One parent shared, “I felt it was important for my son to be with other deaf children as he does not have that interaction much where we live. Just to be with other parents and share our worries and concerns and then be reassured or get advice from specialist trained staff.”
Another parent also shared, “In our experience these support groups are extremely sparse and essential to support emotional wellbeing, listening development, early communication and deaf awareness by experienced professionals. It is extremely beneficial for deaf children to spend time with their deaf peers, which helps them feel more included. Having professionals that work in a deaf school to speak to about any concerns or struggles is a huge help to us.”
Recently Little Hares has received 12 months of funding by The National Lottery Community Fund, who are the largest funder of community activity in the UK. This funding is pivotal in helping to cover the running costs and offers the opportunity for the group to look into expanding its resources.
The support group has also been shortlisted by NASS for a ‘Breaking Barriers’ Award. This award recognises a person, team, establishment, or organisation that has carried out exceptional work engaging with external stakeholders to ensure positive and sustainable outcomes for children and young people. NASS is a membership organisation representing special schools in England and Wales, and each year they hold an annual awards conference to recognise the remarkable work that is carried out. The school will find out if it has been successful at the event on Thursday 3rd October.
Katherine Clements, Assistant Principal and Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at Mary Hare School, who has been heading the group, shares her delight in the news of this recognition for Little Hares:
“I am so grateful to the National Lottery for funding our Little Hares support group. The funding will allow families to continue to access this essential support. It has been a privilege to meet families from surrounding communities and provide them a safe space to share their journeys, worries and dreams for their little ones. The purpose of the group has always been to provide hope and aspiration for parents of deaf babies and toddlers and to allow them the opportunity to experience firsthand the specialist services that are on offer. I am thrilled that we are a finalist for the “Breaking barriers” award this year, it is testament to the hard work and dedication of the fantastic specialist team at Mary Hare who have all come together to share their knowledge and expertise and to the families who have embraced this new opportunity. I look forward to seeing the support group grow and flourish.”
The group has already received endorsement from the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), who have attended and led sessions to provide additional advice for parents.
Little Hares is open to any families with a deaf baby or toddler aged 3 and under. The next session to take place is Friday 13 September, 10am. The full list of dates can be found on the Mary Hare website. All sessions are free, but places need to be booked in advance online at www.maryhare.org.uk/admissions/events-open-days“
