UEA British Sign Language Society
Alumni, placement students (from other universities) and Staff that are interested in joining the society please contact the SU who will guide you on how to set up an account and purchase the standard membership.
Please use any of our contact details to let us know if you are having any difficulties.
Who are we?
We are an award winning society ran by a group of enthusiastic signers and learners. We are a fun, relaxed group that allows us to share our passion with others. No previous knowledge of BSL is required, the atmosphere is supportive non-judgemental and encouraging for new signers. We are accepting of all students, postgrads and mature students.
Student Transformation Award winners 2020 and 2021 "Inclusivity and Accessability society of the year". We are proud to announce this award title to everyone interested in joining a society, who may be nervous that societies and university might not be for them. We are a welcoming, humble and approachable group of students that encourage making friends from the start. Deaf awareness is promoted in everything we do, and hope to encourage this on and off campus as best we can.
* Please note: Qualifications are not awarded in the society. *
The standard £5 membership is for the full academic year, it includes all of our events and weekly sessions.
Hoodies and sweatshirts are available throughout the year from Birds of Dereham: https://www.birdsofdereham.com/shop/category/british-sign-language-700/ These can be ordered by members and will be sent to the uni. Committee will be in touch when they arrive to arrange for you to collect them. We will endevour to make a bulk order at some point during the year to save on shipping costs, however this is not guaranteed and there is no confirmed date for this yet.
When do we meet? Tuesday 6-7pm JSC 1.03
We meet every TUESDAY in person for taught sessions at 6pm. Occassionally sessions may be delivered virtually, if preferred by the session tutor. We have tried our best to ensure the environment is as accessible as possible for all disabilities, hidden disabilities, learning difficulties and D/deaf inclusion - please feel free to message us if you have any specific access needs.
Please follow us on instagram @ueasignsoc to find out when and where our fist session will be! It will be announced there as soon as it is confirmed. Alternatively, keep checking this page for updates.
Don't hesitate to ask questions throughout the sessions, or to hang around at the end to speak to one of our committee members.
Please note our messages are always open (contact details below).
Weekly posts will be uploaded regarding what each week will cover.
Before COVID we were able to meet casually throughout the academic year through local events such as Norfolk Deaf Festival, Disability Pride and society socials. Keep an eye out for these amazing opportunities and social events; these are opportunities to practice your signing within the D/deaf community and to meet friends for life. We may ask for your permission to be recorded and/or photographed for social media.
British Sign Language is used across the UK by over 150,000 people, both D/deaf and hearing. A current topic that excites us and the D/deaf community is an upcoming BSL GCSE. We welcome students, from undergraduates to postgraduates and from all ages and backgrounds.
Who are the 2023/24 committee?
President: Tamsin Jones (tamsin.jones@uea.ac.uk)
Vice-President: Christopher Thompson
Treasurer: Thomas Hales
Secretary:
Social Secretary:
Union Council Rep:
First year Rep:
Wellbeing officer: Daisy Stanley
Equality and Diversity officer:
Health and Safety officer:
Events, Socials and Fundraising and officer:
Head of Tutoring:
Contact Us:
Instagram: UEASignSoc
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Ueabsl
Hoodies: https://www.birdsofdereham.com/shop/category/british-sign-language-700/