Deaf students to get new Exmouth centre

They've bought a former convent

Exmouth's Deaf Academy is to build an adult residential and learning centre for its older students; the only provision of its kind in the UK.
 
Since the Academy’s move to the town in 2020, student numbers have increased significantly, creating a need for more residential space. A nearby former convent in nearby Long Causeway will be refurbished to create a 10-bed residential and learning space for students aged between 19 and 25.
 
The charity has now launched a fundraising campaign for the development.
 
Deaf Academy principal Sylvan Dewing said: “Our aim is to develop empowered, confident young people who are equipped to embark into adulthood with aspiration, skills and resilience.” 
 
“We’re very grateful to the Exmouth community who have welcomed the Academy and our students so warmly following our relocation here in 2020. Since then, we have seen significant growth in student numbers and are continuing to receive a high number of enquiries. It became apparent that to enable us to expand our provision, we need to look at developing additional bespoke premises for our older students.”
 
The Deaf Academy is the only specialist deaf provider in the country that supports students aged 19 and over. 
 
Ms Dewing added: “We have developed a post-19 work-based learning curriculum that helps to develop their skills, whilst having a strong focus on preparing for employment and for adulthood. It’s our aim to help our students become confident and independent, proud of who they are. We want them to contribute positively to our community and we believe we can help them to access the world of work or further education. Our plans for this incredible new 19-25 adult residential and learning centre can help us do just that.
 
The charity is aiming to open the new centre in September. A JustGiving page is at:  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/adultcentreappeal