Revitalising the heart of the Wellington Deaf community

The Wellington Deaf Society (WDS or “Deaf Club”) has been providing social, sporting and recreation activities for the Deaf community since 1938. WDS is the heart of the Wellington Deaf community, and we provide space where NZSL and Deaf culture is celebrated.

We sold our building in 2015 and since then, our members have been meeting at pubs and community halls. The loss of a permanent space means the younger generation was not coming through. It is essential we have a permanent home with various events organised so the Deaf community, including local Deaf children, young people and their families/whanau know where to go, and have a place to use NZSL to ensure intergenerational transmission of NZSL.

WDS partnered with four other sports clubs and Wellington City Council to oversee the construction of a new building at Alex Moore Park. In April 2021, the Waiora Hub became our new home which was a very exciting time for our community. The WDS Board felt it was crucial that we get it right during the first year – to create a connection between our new home and the local Deaf community so NZSL can continue to thrive.

How funding was used

The WDS Board applied to the NZSL Board for a Project called “Revitalising the Heart of the Wellington Deaf Community”. We received $20,000 and employed the following staff members to organise events at the new building and promote these to the community:

• Melissa Witko (Events Coordinator)
• Stevie Aiono (Outreach Officer)
• Candice David (Online Deaf Club Facilitator).

During 2021 and early 2022, our Events Coordinator led the organising of 51 events to revitalise the heart of the Wellington Deaf Community which exceeded our expectations. Events included:

• 14 monthly Friday Deaf Club nights
• 17 special events: Welcome Home Party, Anniversary Party, Wellympics, Annual Poker Champs, Bingo Night x2, Caribbean Night, Matariki, Christmas Party, Fishing trip, Games Night, Picnics, NZSL Week Parties.
• 10 Online Deaf Club sessions. Deaf people around NZ were welcome to participate, starting with a Kahoot quiz then socialise in breakout rooms.
• 10 new monthly mid-week morning tea group from May 2021, which is well attended by Deaf Seniors.

Impact of funding

This grant has made a significant difference in our club’s operations and engagement with the Deaf community. The WDS Board has received many positive feedback from the local community and Deaf people around NZ about our events, and we’ve had non-members / non-Wellingtonians coming to visit our clubrooms.

Our membership numbers have increased from the year before. The local community knows where ‘home’ is and we’re seeing an increasing number of Deaf youth and their families/whānau coming to our events.

Over 100 people came to our Welcome Home Party in April 2021 and we’ve had a splendid turnout at our special events, such as Christmas Party and NZSL Week events, with many Deaf children and their families/whānau attending.

Feedback from the community 

Here are a few comments from the community:

I love the Deaf Club because it’s exciting to chat and meet people at different events”.
- Talib, Deaf high school student

“Deaf Club has plenty of events and I receive information via email. I enjoying chatting with new people. I come a lot, I’m a member. It has been worth it, having Deaf people coming to the Deaf Club including those from out of Wellington. All of us would like to ‘handwaves’ [to WDS]”.
– Keith, Deaf member

“I love Deaf Club events very much because I get to chat with people, make new friends and have fun! There’s different things we can do, such as chess competition”.
– Oscar, Deaf high school student

“Thank you so much (to the NZSL Board) for the grant to make events possible. It has been a lot of un, having all those activities. It has been an opportunity for Deaf youth to meet others every month.It has been really interesting, having events such as picnics, theatresports and Wellympics… Thank you, we hope that it continues”.
– Tina, parent of Deaf youth

“I regularly come to Deaf Club. Events are well attended and organised by Melissa. It has been fantastic, socialising with everyone and there are positive vibes. Numbers have been growing and there are new ideas and activities. My son loves coming to the Deaf Club. Thanks so much to the NZSL Board for funding events to make it happen”.
– Kirsten, Deaf member

Overall, the WDS Board greatly appreciates the support of the NZSL Board to employ paid staff to organise events and bring the community together to use NZSL and enjoy our new home.