Group Stories Consultation at The Walsall Hub

On 12th March 2025, we hosted a fantastic Group Stories Consultation as part of our 100-Year Heritage of Walsall Deaf Community project. Held at The Walsall Hub, the session brought together over 20 enthusiastic attendees, all eager to share and discuss their experiences and memories of Walsall’s Deaf community.

The session was structured around three thought-provoking questions:

1. Why do we sign Walsall like that?
2. What were your feelings and what did you see when you visited Walsall Deaf Club for the first time?
3. Did you meet your partner/husband/wife at Walsall Deaf Club?

We had a few key points prepared, but the discussions quickly took on a life of their own! The groups were deeply engaged, sharing personal stories, historical insights, and even a few surprises. It was a wonderful 1.5-hour session filled with laughter, reflection, and lively conversation - proof of just how much Walsall’s Deaf history means to so many.

This event was a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to document and celebrate a century of Deaf heritage in Walsall. These stories will help shape our upcoming oral history collection and documentary, ensuring that personal experiences are preserved for future generations.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a meaningful discussion! Our next session will focus on personal stories, and then it’s time to begin filming and interviewing people - an exciting step forward in our project.

If you’re interested in sharing your story or getting involved, we’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for updates.

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About Zebra Access

Zebra Access is a truly Deaf-led charity recognised by the Deaf community as dedicated to developing opportunities for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people to have better chances in life and enjoy equal participation and access without communication barriers, providing access to a range of activities enabling Deaf people to have self-belief and confidence to achieve their aspirations by breaking down perceived barriers. Zebra Access aims to promote and advocate healthier lifestyles by raising and improving awareness of available activities and other health choices. We have pioneered effective ways of working with Deaf people providing fully accessible services to provide Deaf customers with holistic and empathetic support via our experts-through-experience members of staff and volunteers.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund: 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.