A club for the deaf community celebrated its 10th anniversary with festivities and inspiring talks.

Harrow and Brent United Deaf Club took part in anniversary celebrations at Brent Civic Centre on March 2.

Brent North MP Barry Gardiner MP shared his experience of growing up with family members who are deaf and use sign language.

He said he would like to learn British Sign Language to talk to constituents who are deaf.

The Mayor of Brent, Cllr Mahmood also spoke. He said: “I wanted to say how valued you all are, especially deaf residents.

“It is important for you to be part of our diverse communities and I recognise that British Sign Language is a beautiful language to communicate with each other and how important for us to access to information and services in our preferred language.”

He said Brent Council is looking at signing up to a the British Sign Language Charter, which would help raise awareness of British Sign Language across the borough and help to ensure better access to information, services and better support for the deaf community.

He added: “It is crucial for Brent Council to have your views on what works well and what areas is in need of improvement, we value your feedback and I hope we will work together more.”

Simon Hesselberg, a well-known deaf leader in the deaf community, spoke about his work as a Community Services Officer for Brent Deaf People Group.

He said: “I am so pleased to see Harrow and Brent being united, working together to become one club, providing one voice to deaf residents of two London boroughs."