Service Shout Out: Signhealth

For this service shout out, we shine a light on Signhealth, the Deaf health charity.

Transforming Lives Through Inclusive Healthcare: The Mission of Sign Health

In a world where inclusivity is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of effective healthcare, Sign Health, the UK's Deaf health charity, stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation. With a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of Deaf people, Sign Health addresses the unique challenges faced by the Deaf community, ensuring that barriers to care are dismantled and that equality in healthcare becomes a reality.

Sign Health envisions a society where Deaf people enjoy the same opportunities for health and wellbeing as anyone else. Their mission is clear: to reduce health inequalities experienced by Deaf people through advocacy, education, and direct service provision.

At its core, Sign Health believes that healthcare should be accessible, inclusive, and equitable—not limited by communication barriers or systemic neglect.

Deaf people in the UK face significant disparities in healthcare, often linked to communication challenges, lack of awareness among healthcare providers, and systemic barriers. Research shows that Deaf individuals are more likely to experience poor mental and physical health outcomes compared to their hearing counterparts. Sign Health steps in to address these gaps through specialized services, raising awareness, and working with healthcare providers to foster systemic change.

Sign Health’s work spans a variety of vital areas:

1. Therapies

SignHealth provides a groundbreaking BSL Therapy Service, offering free, accessible therapy for Deaf individuals struggling with mental health issues. Delivered in British Sign Language, this service ensures that language is never a barrier to getting the help people need.

2. Advocacy

The charity campaigns tirelessly to highlight the health inequalities faced by the Deaf community. By influencing policy and encouraging healthcare providers to adopt inclusive practices, SignHealth advocates for systemic change.

3. Domestic Abuse Support

Through their DeafHope program, Sign Health offers a specialized domestic abuse service for Deaf individuals. This unique initiative provides support and empowerment in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

4. Accessible Health Information

Sign Health creates BSL videos on a wide range of health topics, ensuring that essential information—such as guidance on COVID-19 or mental health resources—is accessible to all.

5. Social Care

Through its support services, Sign Health assists Deaf people in living independently. These services provide personalized care and support tailored to individual needs.

Sign Health is more than just a charity—it is a lifeline for the Deaf community in the UK, offering hope, empowerment, and advocacy in a healthcare system that often overlooks their needs. By championing inclusivity and accessibility, Sign Health is building a future where Deaf people can thrive, unburdened by systemic barriers.

To learn more or get involved, visit their official website: https://signhealth.org.uk/. Together, we can ensure that healthcare truly becomes a universal right, accessible to all.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Founding Director, Michelle, has been awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours for Family Support and Advocacy.

By PEGS Admin • June 15, 2026

Child to Parent Abuse organisation founder awarded MBE The founder of a social enterprise which has supported thousands of parents impacted by abusive behaviours from their children has been awarded an MBE. Michelle John, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales but now based in Shropshire, was among the names announced for the prestigious accolade in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year. In 2020, Michelle set up not-for-profit organisation PEGS with the aim of supporting parents and carers, training professionals, influencing local and national policy, and raising awareness of Child to Parent Abuse – which is thought to affect up to one in ten households in the UK. Since then, she has grown a team of experts who have trained police, social workers, teachers and many other professionals to better recognise the signs of CPA, support parents, and signpost to specialist organisations. In addition, Michelle set up a range of parent-focused initiatives including daily practitioner-led online sessions, a Facebook peer support group which now has 3,300 members, and one-to-one offerings for those at highest risk. PEGS launched a CPA Covenant for employers in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, only the fourth such covenant to be backed by the Government, and Michelle has advised everyone from the Home Office to Channel 4 and the BBC on CPA – the latter for storyline on Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Her work has seen CPA covered by journalists across television news programmes, national newspapers and magazine, and regional press and radio, and she’s received numerous awards both in the UK and internationally. Michelle, whose MBE was awarded for Family Support and Advocacy, said: “This honour is also shared with the parents who have trusted me along the way: they drive me, inspire me and I will always stand with them. “I feel proud, privileged and very grateful – and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and PEGS along the way. There is much more to come for PEGS, and we will continue to work every day for the parents and carers who have been or continue to be impacted by CPA. “There is so much to reflect on from the journey of the last six years, and there have been many highlights and challenges along the way. I am sure there will be many more in the future – although being told I’d received an MBE will always remain a truly incredible moment that I’ll remember forever!” For more information about us, visit www.pegsupport.co.uk or search for 'PEGS' on social media!