Description
Welcome to the University of Bristol Sign Language Society! As a Silver Balloon Accredited Society for three years running, we provide the chnace for members to learn British Sign Language with lessons from award winning external tecaher John Mancini, alongside socials and informative sessions to learn more about d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture. Please keep reading to find out more about what we offer!
What is British Sign Language and why should I learn?
British Sign Language (BSL) is the most common Sign Language in the UK, used by over 150,000 people. Sign Languages such as BSL are visual languages, communicated through expressions, gestures and specific handshapes that form signs.
While BSL is primarily used by the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, here at SignSoc we strongly believe that all people should learn how to sign, even at a basic level, so we can communicate with those who use BSL as a first language. Not only does it help with inclusivity, buts BSL is so expressive that it really is a joy to learn!
Classes
At Bristol Uni Sign Soc we offer two levels of BSL classes, both taught by award-winning teacher John Mancini of SignJamBSL. The Level 1 class is perfect for beginners, whilst Level 2 allows you to continue to develop your skills year on year.
Both courses allow Stundents to take an exam and gain a qualification in BSL, boosting your employability as well as gaining a new skill.
This year, the Level 1 class will cost £243 while Level 2 costs £278, with both carrying an aditional fee for exams. We know that money can be a barrier, and want our society to be as inculsive as possible, so this year there will be an option to pay the fee in installments allowing you to spread out the cost across the year. The University also has an Activity Hardship fund, which can offer up to £100 to help students participate in activities. Follow this link to find out more and how to apply.
Other Ways to Join In
Social Events
Socials are a key part of what we hope to offer this year, providing opportunities to meet new people and make new friends whilst learning more about BSL. Some of our socials will be BSL focused practice sessions, especially in the run up to Level 1 and 2 exams, to allow you to practice BSL with friends in a lowe pressure environment. We'll also be hosting social sessions and pub trips for a chance to make friends outside of a learning environment.
Last year we collaborated with Bristol Doctor Who Society for a fun social, and went to see Mary Poppins at the Bristol Hippodrome with UWE's Sign Language Society, and hope to host many more socials this year!
Deaf Awareness Sessions
As well as offering BSL classes, at Sign SOc we host Deaf Awareness Sessions. These are cheaper, one off sessions which provide insight into the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, and are a great way to broaden your learning if also doing one of our taught classes. Alternatively, these sessions offer a great way to learn about the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing community is the taught classes aren't an option for you.
Membership
Get a 1 Year membership for only £5 by clicking the 'Join This Group' icon above the picture! To join our classes you need a membership, and members get cheaper tickets for our social events as well as receiving our monthly newsletter to stay updated on what we're up to.
SignSoc Committee 2025/26
The committee for Sign Soc this year is:
President - Milly Adams (They/Them)
Secretary - Rachel Fearon (She/Her)
Treasurer - Zap Carlsson (He/Him)
Equality and Wellbeing Officer - Danika George (She/Her)
d/Deaf/HOH Representative: Alex Ferrari (She/Her, They/Them)
Equality
As a society, equality is important to us and we strive to ensure everyone feels welcome at Sign Soc. Below is our equality statement for this year:
SignSoc recognises that all people regardless of situation have a right to equal and respectful treatment free from prejudice or exclusion. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and able to participate irrespective of their age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We are also committed torespecting everyone's right to communication, whether in spoken, written or signed language.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch! You can email us at bristolsignsoc@gmail.com, message us on Instagram @bristolsignsoc, or join our WhatsApp community: WhatsApp
Follow us on Instagram or join our WhatsApp for updates and we look forward to seeing you this year!
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Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
