The Offshoot Foundation, which delivers filmmaking workshops to disadvantaged young people across the region, delivered a landmark project this year called Deaf Perspectives. Project co-ordinator Hannah Salisbury explains more
First things first, who are you and what do you do?
I am Hannah Salisbury, a freelance heritage consultant. I studied History at university and have spent most of my career so far working in archives, creating opportunities for communities to use and enjoy the incredible documents which record our history. As a freelancer, I develop and deliver creative heritage projects like Deaf Perspectives.
For those not in the know, what is the background to The Offshoot Foundation?
The Offshoot Foundation provides accessible and enriching opportunities for young people to become the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers, and visual artists. It was founded by Paul Press following a career in the film and television, to provide young people with opportunities learn new skills and build confidence through filmmaking.
Who does it help and what area does it cover?
The Offshoot Foundation mainly runs its workshops in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex. We focus on providing opportunities for young people.
What sort of impact can filmmaking workshops have on disadvantaged young people?
We often see the young people who take part in Offshoot workshops and projects gain hugely in confidence. We create a friendly and relaxed environment in which young people can try new things and step out of their comfort zone. We also teach technical and practical skills which can be invaluable for anyone who does want to go on to work in the industry.
What landmark project earlier in the year did you lead?
Throughout 2025 we have been working on a project called Deaf Perspectives: Past, Present, and Future. Working with deaf and hearing school students we have made a series of short films exploring different aspects of deaf life.
The students took part in every stage of filmmaking, and you can see them on screen presenting and acting in some of the films. They also interviewed several people, including Daniel Jillings, who has been campaigning for British Sign Language GCSE since he was 12 years old, Stephen Illiffe, a deaf photographer and advocate, and Eloise Pennycott, a young deaf playwright. We also went on a trip to Suffolk Archives to see records from local deaf history and to the University of Cambridge where we met deaf students and staff.
To help inform the films we researched local deaf history using the 1911 Census as a starting point. We found nearly 600 deaf people who lived in Suffolk in 1911 and have created a database with their details. This has helped us to see patterns around things like the kinds of educational opportunities that were available and the jobs people were doing, and to identify individuals’ stories to research further.
Copies of all the films and historical research have been shared with Suffolk Archives for long-term preservation.
We have had amazing feedback from students and their teachers and parents:
- ‘This whole thing built my confidence. This filming shows a lot about deafness, and it shows what we can do in the future.’ – student
- ‘It was enormously positive for the children to celebrate, share and develop their deaf identities, especially the role of BSL and what this means to them.’ – teacher
- ‘He is so much more confident, and it has enabled him to become an advocate for all disadvantaged people.’ – parent
The films are also helping to spread awareness of deaf experiences and how hearing people can help make the world more deaf-friendly. For example, one viewer of the films told us that as a recently qualified doctor his training had not covered working with deaf people, and the films had given him some useful insights. The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Casey Trust.
What future projects are you working on?
We hope to run further filmmaking projects working with deaf students and also continue with our Bury Film Club for young people with SEND and young carers. We also run workshops which are open to young people aged 10-18 across the region. Details of upcoming sessions can be found on our website: theoffshootfoundation.co.uk/workshopdates/
The Offshoot Foundation supports young people through film. Visit Deaf Perspectives: Past, Present, and Future
Featured image of Hannah Salisbury – supplied
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