8 posts tagged with "Announcement"

Our dear Alberta's funeral will be held on 30th March 2026 at 10am at Peterborough Crematorium, Bretton, Peterborough.

All are welcome to attend the service.

There will be a private intimate gathering following the service — invitation only.

Donations & Memories​

If you would like to leave a donation or share a memory of Alberta, please follow the dedicated memorial link below:

Alberta Rochester Memorial Page

It is with very deep sadness that we let you all know that Alberta Rochester passed away last night.

Alberta was DBE's Awareness Officer, a much-loved member of the DBE family, an Assessor, and a dear friend.

We will all greatly miss her. Much love goes to Dave during this difficult time.

Happy New Year to everyone! ❤️

What a wonderful, busy year it has been for all our service users—filled with fun, laughter, and new experiences. Most importantly, it has been a year of our users being in control and making their own choices.

We are so thankful to our valued Communicator-Guides, Interpreter Guides, family members, and friends who help us in so many different ways.

"The smallest thing you do always makes the biggest impact on the lives of vulnerable deafblind people."

We look forward to making a difference to many more deafblind people in 2026!

With love to you all,

Debbie

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Pam Watling.

Pam was a caring, lovable, and fiercely independent lady who always looked out for everyone. As a DBE Awareness Officer and Assessor, she promoted deafblindness wherever she went, highlighting the daily struggles of living with limited sight and hearing.

Pam was a vital part of the DBE family, and she loved her own family dearly. We will all miss her presence and her dedication to our community.

Funeral & Memorial Arrangements​

We invite you to join us in celebrating Pam's life:

• Service: Monday, 24th November at 11:00 AM
• Location: Peterborough Crematorium
• Reception: From 12:30 PM at The Woodman (by Thorpe Wood Golf Course) for food, drinks, and the sharing of stories.

RSVP & Attendance​

If possible, please RSVP to let us know if you are attending. Kindly include any dietary requirements or if you will be accompanied by a partner, family member, or support worker.

Note: You are still very welcome to join us even if you do not RSVP.

Donations in Lieu of Flowers​

If you wish to honor Pam’s memory, the family suggests a donation to the British Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Pauline Brown.

Pauline served as DBE's Deafblind Awareness Officer for many years. She was an inspirational, dedicated lady and a truly loving person who cared deeply about everyone she met.

Rest in peace, Pauline. You will be greatly missed, but your legacy lives on in the work we do.

Funeral Arrangements​

The funeral service for Pauline will be held on:

• Date: Monday, 29th September 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM

If you plan on attending the service to pay your respects, please let us know so we can assist with arrangements.

It's Sign Language Week!​

Thank you Heidi, DBE's Awareness Officer and Josh, DBE's Head of Training detailing the most important points to consider when using Visual Frame and Hands On communication.

Heidi says:​

I want to give you about BSL Interpreter Language most important points

• We all need good lighting;
• Plain clothing dark navy, red - it varies with deafblind people's vision;, no patterns;
• Seating: always sit face to face, opposite each other;
• Sit at the same level, not one person higher or lower than the other;
• Interpreters do not sit behind a window because it makes your face dark from the light behind; It's important to know if the person uses Visual frame, Hands On, Deafblind Manual, Block letters.
• Thank you for watching. HAPPY SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK!

Josh states:​

• Did you know that many BSL signs cannot be seen when a deafblind person uses hands-on or visual frame. This is because many words use the same sign with different lip pattern, facial expressions or location.
• Sign Language is not just about signing BSL vocabulary, it is how you communicate the whole message to convey the context, tone and meaning behind what is being said.
• Using BSL Visual Frame or Hands On alongside Deafblind Manual, Spartan Block and BSL fibgerspelling is vital to clarify and reinforce key points of a message, at DBE we believe in a "total communication" philosophy
• A deafblind person's emotional state and general wellbeing can impact on how much information they receive and retain.
• Giving the appropriate environmental information through effective communication empowers Deafblind people and allows them to regain choice, control and independence that is often lost through dual sensory impairment
• When working with Deafblind people, you need to be specifically trained to understand their individual needs and support them appropriately
• It is easier to pity Deafblind people than to understand their needs and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Come and join us on our Deafblind courses to become a Specialist Interpreter Guide / Communicator-Guide or join our team.

For information email training@deafblind-enablement.co.uk

Contact us to discuss how you can make a difference; 01733 686969 www.deafblind-enablement.co.uk

Did you know that in 2011 we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Section 7 “Social Care Guidance for Deafblind Adults and Children”. Debbie James, Director (and founder) of Deafblind Enablement, was involved in campaigning for it’s implementation and continues to push it forward by training assessors and fighting for the rights of deafblind people.