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Sense launches monthly British Sign Language lessons

GOOD launches brand new subscription product with Sense, inviting the UK public to learn British Sign Language through monthly lesson packs. Sense is a UK charity that supports people with complex disabilities and Sense Sign School launches to coincide with Sign Language Week Week (week commencing 14th March).

Sense champions the power of connection and believes that everyone thrives when they’re included in the conversation. Based on insight that one in four Brits avoids conversation with disabled people, Sense Sign School aims to break down barriers by getting more of the UK public using British Sign Language.

Subscribers to Sense Sign School receive a monthly lesson pack in the post, which includes illustrated flash cards, a conversation guide leaflet as well as access to digital lesson pages and sign animations to aid learning. Each lesson is taught by a different teacher, all of whom are real people supported by the charity. By celebrating each teacher’s personality and experience, the lessons aim to increase awareness of the barriers people with complex disabilities face, promoting communication and connection with subscribers.

Sense Sign School’s lesson pack builds on the overwhelming success and engagement received from the integrated campaign of the same name delivered by GOOD in 2020 and 2021. Over 80,000 people took part in the online lessons, which were led by Tyrese Dibba playing the role of ‘Mr Tyrese.’ Tyrese made the headlines when the classes became a huge success and went on to be awarded the ‘Stephen Sutton Inspiration Award’ at the Pride of Birmingham Awards, as well as the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. Tyrese stars in the new product, in animated form as the headteacher. The lessons expand on the previous campaign, offering a deeper and more enriching experience learning BSL. It is the first time Sense has offered a subscription product.

GOOD delivered the full subscription box, packaging, cards and leaflets along with the acquisition and social assets, digital lesson pages and emails. All illustrations are by Alice Bowsher.

Tyrese Dibba says “I love the idea of continuing my work in animated form, supporting more people to learn to BSL. Deaf people shouldn’t be excluded. You should be able to chat to everyone, regardless of disability.”

Bryn Attewell, Executive Director at GOOD Agency says

“Bringing British Sign Language to a broader audience and at the same time making it fun and inclusive has been an absolute joy for the team here at GOOD. Not only are we very proud of Sign School and what it has achieved for Sense and the wider disabled community, we’re also pretty happy with some of the sign skills we’ve picked up along the way!”

Sarah Crush, Head of Individual Giving at Sense, says

“Sense Sign School is a fun way for the whole family to come together to learn British Sign Language, while raising vital funds to support people living with complex disabilities. Hundreds of thousands of people use BSL as their first language, and if more people are able to use it, we can ensure that less people are left out.”