Deaf children and their hearing friends were given some tips on the best way of communicating with each other.

Pupils from St Roch’s Secondary School were coached to communicate during a visit yesterday from the National Deaf Children’s Society Roadshow.

The Roadshow - an eight ton lorry that turns into a classroom - tours the UK delivering the charity’s information service to deaf children, their families and friends and the professionals working with them.

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Jamie Chivers, Outreach Officer for the National Deaf Children’s Society who is deaf himself and drives the Roadshow bus, said: “Deaf children can do anything other children can do, given the right support. "A visit from the Roadshow can make a real difference for a deaf child struggling with confidence, independence or communication and the more we can do to spread deaf awareness and information, the better.”

The Roadshow team provides a range of workshops and demonstrates the latest equipment available to give deaf children and young people more independence.

Flashing doorbells, bluetooth neckloops for iPods and mobile phones and vibrating alarm clocks are just some examples of the wide range of equipment on show.

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They also give advice on some of the difficulties that deaf children often face, including communication barriers, isolation and exclusion from activities.

Since its launch, the Roadshow has travelled all over Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland visiting hundreds of venues, including mainstream and deaf schools, sensory support services, audiology centres and special events.

The National Deaf Children’s Society provides free information and support to families with a deaf child and runs activities and events where deaf children and young people can learn new skills and gain confidence.