My name is Mark, and I am the Community Development Manager at the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CfD). My role is funded by the Bristol Impact Fund, an initiative established by Bristol City Council to tackle inequality across the city. My specific focus is supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Bristol.
At the heart of my role is community development. I work closely with the local Deaf community to reduce social isolation by improving accessibility and creating inclusive opportunities to take part in social and recreational activities. By increasing participation in groups and activities, individuals are able to widen their social networks and, in turn, improve their health and wellbeing.
Before this role was established, the Deaf community in Bristol had become increasingly fragmented following the closure of the much-loved Deaf Club in 2014. For many Deaf people, the club had been a lifeline: a safe space, a social hub, and a central place to access information and services. Its closure meant that Deaf people suddenly lost this vital hub and were left to navigate services that had once been available in one location but were now dispersed across the city.
This highlighted a clear need for a dedicated community development role to rebuild connections, improve access to information, and support Deaf-led initiatives across Bristol.
