Three resource bases came together to deliver a Have a Go Day as part of the Destination Deaflympics programme. 

The Have a Go Day fund was launched by UK Deaf Sport as part of their Destination Deaflympics programme. Subscribers who were already delivering Destination Deaflympics activities were able to apply for funding to provide an event which gave deaf young people a chance to come together and enjoy physical activity inspired by Deaflympic sport. 

Integrated Physical and Sensory Service (IPaSS), Sirius West Academy and Christopher Pickering School applied for funding from the Destination Deaflympics for the day, which aimed to bring together deaf young people from Hull and the surrounding area. 

Bringing people together in activity 

IPaSS supports young people with physical, visual or hearing impairments in Hull. They partnered with the Sirius West Academy, an inclusive and ambitious secondary school and Christopher Pickering Primary School. Both schools are mainstream but have a clear mission to support deaf young pupils. 

The Have a Go Day was specifically designed to give deaf young people the chance to meet others with deafness, try fun new sports and meet deaf role models. 

This was a well-attended Deaflympics event, with 32 young people from all over Hull taking part. Each of the age categories 8-16 years was represented and equal numbers of boys and girls were involved, two thirds of whom were English users. 

The outcomes 

Meeting role models demonstrated that there are no barriers to sport and activity for participants in the future and that the young people can achieve anything they wish. Trying new sports gave the young people new options for keeping active going forward. New friendships were formed and feedback was universally positive, with all wishing to return annually. 

One male participant with profound deafness who attends a mainstream school said: “I have had a great day; it was the first time I have met others like me”. 

The Destination Deaflympics funding means that equipment purchased is now in place for an annual event, with plans to link with other disability sports providers in the city, including the Tigers Trust. 

How to be a Part of Delivering Destination Deaflympics  

There are currently 50,000 deaf children in the UK (National Deaf Children’s Society). For children who are less active, 43% of deaf children participate in no physical activity at all compared to 26% of children with no disability (Sport England, Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, 2024). 

UK Deaf Sport’s vision is for every deaf person to be active and inspired by sport and physical activity. Their Destination Deaflympics programme creates just those opportunities for deaf young people aged 8-16 years, allowing them to try out new activities with friends and learn about the Deaflympics Games.  

If you are a UK based deaf school, deaf resource base, deaf community or sports club, or an organisation engaging with deaf 8–16 year olds, you can learn more and sign up for free on our Destination Deaflympics page. 

Have a Go Day Funding

Have a Go Fun Day funding is open to those already delivering Destination Deaflympics activities through the postal packs. You can learn more about the funding and read other case studies here. 

If you are already a subscriber to the Destination Deaflympics programme you are likely to be eligible for Have a Go Day Funding.*

Learn more and apply by contacting Becky Price on becky.price@ukds.org.uk.

*Only postal pack subscribers are eligible for Have a Go Day funding.