Cilla & Donna's story

People in this video
Donna and Cilla, RNID Volunteers who run a deaf club in Essex
Yvonne, deaf club member
Jean, deaf club member
Reg, deaf club member
Iris, deaf club member
Bill, deaf club member

Cilla: I’m Cilla.

Donna: And I’m Donna.

Cilla: I’m mummy.

Donna: And I’m daughter.

Cilla: And we took over the running of the RNID elderly people’s club about two years ago.

Donna: As soon as we walked in, we felt really welcome straight away. And as well, everybody was really nice and friendly towards us. It just had this warm feeling. So we decided to stay for a bit longer and two years later we’re still here!

Donna: We get on with everybody, we haven’t really had any problems. And we go on outings. We’ve been to Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s home, we’ve been to Duxford, we’ve been to bowling.

Cilla: Madame Tussauds. All sorts of places.

Donna: We’ve done arts and crafts. We’ve also started a photo collage, which is really nice. So it makes it their own club, rather than just a room where everybody goes. Anybody that goes in, that comes for the first time, feels really welcome as well. They introduce themselves. And we’ve got a really lovely bunch, everybody gets on. And everyone is really friendly with each other.

Cilla: They are, they are. Really good, yes.

Donna: What I get out of doing volunteering for RNID is when you see deaf people reaching their goals. Or making vast achievements that people in society say that they can’t achieve. And it’s more like a family than a group, which is nice. And you always know what one or the other is doing, and they share everything.

Cilla: And we enjoy doing our bit for them.

Donna: We do, yes.

Donna: We do, yes.

Cilla: And we hope they enjoy us doing it! [laughter]

Donna: Yes, hopefully! [laughter]

Yvonne: It’s a marvellous idea. And I think people who are deaf and disabled should all get together and help each other.

Jean: [signing] The RNID Deaf Club is really good. I love going every two weeks. It’s perfect.

Reg: [signing] I started coming two years ago to RNID Redbridge. When I arrived there were a lot of old people at the club and I couldn’t understand them at first because I use BSL. I felt sorry for them all sitting there. Cilla and Donna started and arranged trips, taking us out. It motivates everyone, which is good. They encourage us to be active and enthusiastic, keeping us fit.

Iris: Cilla and Donna are fantastic. They’re lovely people. And I think what I appreciate mostly is the friendship. We’re all friendly together and this means a tremendous amount to me. So, yes, interesting, something to look forward to. And, of course, the friendship.

Bill: With everybody being deaf, to different degrees, we all understand each other’s problems. And we do communicate with each other.

Cilla: We would indeed encourage other people to volunteer, they can get so much out of it. They may be sitting at home doing nothing, they can come to a group like this. All the time, you’ve got feedback on things that you’re doing. And it’s exciting, it’s fun and it’s good for not only for them, but us as well as the volunteers.

Yvonne: Good luck to RNID!