History of MSDP

In May 1864 Liverpool Adult Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society was established.

It was founded by George Healey, a deaf man.  He set up the society initially to give deaf people to equal access to the Scriptures.  They started with just one room in the School for the Deaf and Dumb in Oxford Street.

 

In 1865 the society held a meeting where they appointed a committee and decided on the rules.

 

They had no premises where they could meet until 1869 when they were able to rent a room in Pleasant Street.

 

In 1874 the priest in charge of Liverpool gave permission for Sunday services to be held in the cemetery Chapel, St Mary’s in Cambridge Street, as it was not being used.  These premises were not suitable and the committee decided they needed somewhere permanent.

 

In 1877 the society started a building fund, then mayor of Liverpool took an interest in the fund and through him her Majesty Queen Victoria made a donation of £5.

 

In 1886 the committee got a lease from Lord Sefton for the Land of Princes Avenue and Parkway.  This lease was given for 2000 years.

 

 

In 16th May 1887 H.R.H Princess Louise formally opened the Institute.

 

 

On 9th November 1927 the deaf community suffered a massive loss with the death of George Healey aged 84.  Four years later in May 1931 the society opened the George Healey memorial hall. This would be used as a men’s club where men could play snooker, chess, cards and other activities.

 

The building at Park Way also had the women’s room where women could go to socialise. The lecture hall was used for lectures, meetings, dances and social gatherings.  The chapel in the building was used for services every Sunday at 11am and 6.30pm.

 

The society provided an employment bureau and sometimes employment for the jobless, interpreters for all occasions, social gatherings for the Deaf Blind and financial help for the poor.

 

In the late 1980s the society relocated to Queens Drive in West Derby, Liverpool as this was more of a central place in Liverpool and was easier to access via public transport. The new building was the old Ambrose Barlow School and had a lot more office space. 

 

The services we provide now are very different.  The Centre employs 85 staff and they are split across 12 departments.

 

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