HomeDeaf Groups & ProjectsFriends for Young Deaf (FYD)

The Friends for Young Deaf (FYD) movement swept through New Zealand when Christoph Blum was appointed as Youth Coordinator in 1994 after training in England in the early 1990s. The theoretical components of leadership were put into practice on a real-time basis, merging with the Kiwi love of camps and outdoor living. Many of today’s young Deaf leaders participated in an FYD camp at some stage of their development.

FYD – Building Leaders

21-23 February, 1997. FYD Leadership Part Two Training Weekend. Participants: Peter Barker, Allan Richardson, Simon Strawbridge, Kim Robinson, Ricki Pointon, Mark Huria, Perry Strawson, Robert Cameron, Sheryl Allison, Brent Ryder, Lynne Dean, Jennifer Brain, Tony Walton, Susan Hamilton.

8-10 September 1995. FYD Initiative Training at Snells Beach, Auckland.

The objective of FYD leadership training was to give confidence and skills to Deaf people so that they could develop to become competent Deaf leaders, taking the lead in their own communities.

This also gave Deaf people an opportunity to be positive role models for others, especially the younger generation of Deaf people. Historically Deaf people have often been marginalised within mainstream groups consisting of both Deaf and hearing people. The purpose of FYD was to give Deaf people the opportunity to work in partnership with hearing people and acquire a skill set that could be further used to benefit both their personal and professional lives.

FYD – Bringing People Together

New Zealand Association for the Deaf Friends for the Young Deaf team. (Source: Chris Blum)

The FYD team at work in the Deaf Aotearoa New Lynn office. Jennifer Brain, Damian Barry and Chris Blum. (Source: Chris Blum)

The Friends of Young Deaf (FYD) initiative was added to the services provided by the Deaf Association of New Zealand in 1997. With the support of Damian Barry from the UK, Chris Blum, Jennifer Brain, Elaine Sautia, Patrick Thompson and Helen Keane, the FYD courses were developed to offer skills-based leadership training to Deaf youths. In conjunction, FYD offered opportunities to connect for families with Deaf children through fun days, sports and family weekend camps.

FYD – Touching Many Lives

12-14 June 1998, FYD FYD Leadership Part Two Training Weekend at OPC National Park.

A total of 20 projects and 18 training courses were held all over New Zealand and approximately 1000 people – adults and children – were involved. This is an impressive scale for a community of 6-8000 Deaf people. FYD provided an opportunity for Deaf youth to learn how to focus their energies and talents, and many young Deaf leaders have been through FYD training at some stage of their development.

FYD – Legacy of Leadership

January 21-28, 1996 Summer Deaf Youth Camp in Otaki.

FYD was discontinued in 2001 due to lack of funding. The FYD legacy continued through the development of youth groups such as the Auckland Deaf Youth Group, along with the Wellington and Christchurch Youth Groups and Magnet.

Note: This page was last updated 2015. Contributions are welcomed.

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1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Autumn 1997

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1995
video – Taonga source: Allan Richardson

Central Deaf Youth Camp 1995

The Central Deaf Youth Camp, as organised by FYD at Palm Grove, Paraparaumu, May 1995.
Allan Richardson
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: February 1995

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2000
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

Deaf Association of New Zealand 2000

A look at the work of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf, presented by Judy Bailey.
Deaf Aotearoa
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: March 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Summer 1998

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Autumn 1998

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2017
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: 4th National Deaf Youth Camp

Auckland Deaf Society
1995
video – Taonga source: Allan Richardson

Northern Deaf Youth Camp 1995

Coverage of the participants and activities enjoyed at the 1995 Northern Deaf Youth Camp in Lake Whakamaru, Waikato.
Allan Richardson
1996
video – Taonga source: Chris Blum

Summer Deaf Youth Camp: Drama Show

Youth campers at the 1996 Summer Deaf Youth Camp in Otaki put on an entertaining evening drama show!
Chris Blum
1996
video – Taonga source: Allan Richardson

Summer Deaf Youth Camp 1996

Comprehensive footage of the participants and activities at the 1996 Summer Deaf Youth Camp in Otaki.
Allan Richardson
1995
video – Taonga source: Chris Blum

Friends of Young Deaf (FYD) Explained

FYD Leader Chris Blum explains how the programme works.
Chris Blum