Work begins on MH101® for the Deaf community

Blueprint for Learning is pleased to announce we have partnered with Platform Trust to co-design our MH101® workshop to be accessible for the Deaf community.

On Monday 21 September 2020, the first day of New Zealand Sign Language week, we held a pilot workshop run by a Deaf facilitator, Celia King and a hearing facilitator, Sialei Anamani, along with two interpreters, Wenda Walton and Rosie Henley. The workshop was attended by eight Deaf participants who provided valuable feedback on the content and structure of the workshop.

“We are thrilled to have begun the process to create a version of MH101® that is accessible for the Deaf community,” said Angela Gruar, Blueprint for Learning manager. “MH101® participants gain skills and knowledge that will benefit them in many areas of their lives. A person’s capacity to hear should not be a barrier to developing their mental health literacy.

“It is fantastic to have Celia become part of the Blueprint whānau, bringing her expertise and lived experience to our team of facilitators.

“We are also grateful to Jo Witko from Platform Trust, who has previously attended an MH101® workshop and has joined us on this co-design process.”

There is still work to be done but the team is planning for MH101® for the Deaf community to be ready for participants early in the New Year.

“Our team is currently reviewing the feedback from the pilot workshop before work begins on adapting the workbook and the structure of the workshop to ensure everything is accessible for the participants,” said Angela. “For the workshop to be successful, all the parts must work for the participants, the facilitators and the two interpreters who attend each workshop.”

Photo: Blueprint and Platform kicked off NZ Sign Language week by starting the co-design process for MH101® with the Deaf community. New MH101® facilitator and member of the Deaf community, Celia King is back row, second from the left. Her co-facilitator, Sialei Anamani is on the far right. 

Interested in a MH101® for the Deaf Community workshop?
Contact us for more information.