In the past Missionaries used to travel great distances to meet the needs of deaf people. Until 1914 the missionaries worked for the Norwich Diocesan Church Mission which then became the Norwich and St Edmundsbury Mission to the Deaf and Dumb.
A missionary was based in Ipswich to help the clergy to provide spiritual guidance and support for deaf people. It also provided recreation and social interaction. Apprenticeships provided suitable trades for Deaf people. The mission also provided a communication service and gave practical support and advice.
1938 - Norfolk and Suffolk decided that work would be more efficient if they were to separate their duties.
1941 - An appeal was made for an Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in Suffolk.
1944 - An appeal was launched that raised enough money to purchase the centre at 49 Fonnereau Road in Ipswich. It was known as the Central Institute.
1950 - The name was changed to the Suffolk Mission to the Deaf and Dumb.
1965 - Another appeal was launched in Bury St Edmunds that raised the money to buy 28 Northgate Street as a centre for West Suffolk.
1980's - The word 'Mission' was dropped as the work of the missionaries had been taken over by Social Services
1995 - The association was registered as a Limited Company with charitable status. The Charity Commissioners finally agreed to the removal of the word 'Dumb' from the title.
1997 - The centre for North Suffolk was acquired at 50/52 Blackheath Road, Lowestoft.
