New Forest Deaf Club
The Cave Wine Bar owned by my partner Jon, hosts the New Forest Deaf Club on the first Tuesday of every month between 17:00 – 20:00
Free Entry.
All Welcome!
May 2026 – I’ve been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference Award! I feel so proud and happy! This is for my commitment and kindness to deaf services. THANK YOU to all of you for making this possible. Setting up and growing our New Forest Deaf Club is the main reason for this wonderful nomination. Along with all of you my aim was always to put The New Forest on the map as a safe, welcoming, joyful place for Deaf people to live and visit. A community where communication flows more easily, understanding grows and our Deaf friends and visitors feel truly included. This is for all of us!
July 2026 – I dropped a little tear this week when I heard live on Radio Solent that I’d been shortlisted as a finalist. I’m thrilled!! From hundreds of wonderful nominations I’ve made it to one of the four finalists for the work that I do in raising deaf awareness and delivering my workshops. The other three finalists are Helen Payne from Southampton who set up a local creative play group giving parents respite, 82-year-old Irene Ferguson from Bournemouth (my winner!) who has set up clubs in her supported living complex to reduce isolation and loneliness, and Carol Taylor from Poole who has set up a not for profit community café giving a warm welcome and safe space where everyone belongs. Some great gals – it should be a fabulous evening at the Ageas Bowl in September where the winner will be announced. I know we’re all winners already though!
August 2026 – The BBC came to Milford! They wanted to see our deaf awareness workshops in action and record interviews for the Make a Difference Awards. Out of hundreds of wonderful nominations, we’ve been shortlisted as a finalist for the wonderful work our community does in raising awareness. Over 300 of you have attended my workshops, classes and deaf club. The lovely BBC reporter even signed up as she found our workshop so interesting and enjoyable. THANK YOU to everyone that attended the lipreading taster session that Caroline and I hosted, and for being so brave and kind with all your interviews. Thank you to Boo for interpreting the morning. This is for ALL of us! The awards dinner is in Sep.
The Cave wine bar in Milford
17:00 – 20:00
The Cave wine bar in Milford
17:00 – 20:00
The Cave wine bar in Milford
17:00 – 20:00
Happy Half Year Anniversary on your Deaf Club!
Thank you for being pivotal bringing people together.
Giving many opportunities to folks mingling and signing together.
-Dan
Thank you for keeping us ‘in touch’ with this great initiative! We feel connected! Continued success.
-Peter and Linda
Can’t we do this every two weeks rather than every month – it’s brilliant, thank you!
-Ange
I have been to many deaf clubs and this is definitely the most friendly. All the staff are great and so deaf aware.
-Boo
I felt so nervous to come; I wasn’t going to, and then I walked past… and eventually I came in. I’m SO glad I did, it’s great, thank you!
-Fiona
(Started with deaf club, then our 10 week deaf awareness and intro to BSL workshops and is now completing her Signature Level 1 BSL)
I haven’t smiled this much in ages. Thank you so much for encouraging me to come along. What a beautiful thing you have created. Thank you, x
-Hannah
Dear Nancy,
Thank you ever so much for your incredibly generous donation. All received our side.
Please do thank all those involved for supporting the DeaflympicsGB team heading to Tokyo.
With very best wishes,
-Kathryn Halsey
Operations Manager – Team GB Deaflympics
This is absolutely FANTASTIC! I love watching all the signers – fascinating. I have not seen my Uncle (Deaf) this happy in ages. He has travelled from Staffordshire for this today and cannot wait to move closer and attend more regularly – it’s just brilliant, thank you!
-Christopher
Are you some sort of matchmaker…. I have made some wonderful connections this evening! I have so much in common with these ladies, we have swapped numbers and will meet up in between deaf club too. It’s been wonderful, I’m glad I came, thank you.
-Mikki
What a great evening, so good seeing everyone! Thank you for everything you do…
-Amanda
This is so encouraging for people like me who are losing more and more sounds. You probably noticed that most of Tuesdays session I was doing more lipreading than signing, but each month, with different people I use different methods. I also get many tips on how to cope in different situations. It’s great that the person I am talking to doesn’t get frustrated with me as they deal with the same problems. Whether you can hear or not, the fact that someone makes an effort to gather disabled people together is fantastic. Keep up the good work that you do!
-Joan
Thank you so much for another lovely evening & being so welcoming to my friend who absolutely loved it, in spite of being so nervous. We’ll see you again next month!
-Jan
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Wow Noona!!! I’m sooo proud of you xx
-Freya x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Fantastic news all round Nancy and so very well deserved!
-Marilyn x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Well done Nancy – much deserved! Hope you win…
-T&T x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Well done Nancy – Milford on Sea is lucky to have you!
-Sue
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Well done Nancy, you are going to be very busy and just great at what you do!
-Janet
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Congratulations for your achievements – so happy they’ve recognised you – just excellent!
-Terry
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Oh what a fun-packed, juicy and celebratory newsletter with a bombshell bit of news! YOU’VE BEEN NOMINATED!!!! Wooohooooooo! Oh I am sooo pleased and excited for you. Well done and well deserved, Nancy!
-Patricia
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Jacquie
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Fiona x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Jonathan x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
A BBC Make a Difference Award!?!
Wild. So proud of you and I am certain there’s a fancy event attached to that.
Also I know you’re going to make Caroline Court so proud. What a privilege for you, but also for her – she’s able to leave a legacy (that means a lot when one retires)
Love you xxx
-Cuzin
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Sarah
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Congratulations on the nomination and short listing. That’s brilliant.
-Bob
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Steven
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
You do amazing at raising awareness, the girls loved their BSL rulers that you gave them at Halloween and I see the amazing stuff you do when you pop into the Smugglers for dinner with the people you support
-Cheryl
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Maria
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Congratulations Nancy and thank you for teaching me to sign Christmas songs.
-Miriam
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Sara Ann
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
You make a difference in all areas of your life Dancer. I will be watching the outcome of this award, but you are a winner anyhow!
-Aunty Anne
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Nicole
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
This is amazing Nance – so proud to know you!
-Leandra
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Sandra
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Oh my goodness you do it again and again… What a fabulous human being. My my, you are going far with your passion to help those you love and help in their daily struggles to hear. Keep up your brilliant work. Also sooo good to be recognised for your wonderful help and understanding. Lots of love. xx
-Aunty Pam & Adam
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Rosemary
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Wow Nance – you are a STAR! Congrats.
-Rach x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
-Local x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Wow, wow, wow. So well deserved. You have our vote!
-Aunty Lynne x
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Superstar you are and fingers crossed your reward will be the award. Love ya.
-Philski
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
So proud of you Nancy and our wonderful club!
-The Cave Wine Bar
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Amazing and well deserved! You’re amazing Nancy – don’t ever forget it!
-Beth
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Bloody awesome babe and thoroughly deserved. You are sooo devoted to your work and your whole community and I couldn’t wish this for a better colleague and friend. Well done beautiful.
-Kirsty
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Sooo super proud of you. You amaze me every single day. I love you bestie.
-Tanya C
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Couldn’t think of a more deserving person to receive this nomination. You’re a winner to us anyway!
-Boo
BBC Make a Difference Nomination
Congratulations and a well deserved nomination bestie – I am so proud of you and the difference you are making!
-Wayne
BBC Make a Difference Nomination