Prior to 2013, Cardiff City Council had previously provided the support for the D/deaf Centre in Cardiff. In 2013 the decision was taken to remove this support. A select group of individuals from within the D/deaf community came together and reached an agreement with Cardiff City Council, to take custodial ownership of the building on a peppercorn rent on a 99-year lease agreement and formed the current trustee management committee of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Cardiff Deaf Centre in 2014.

Between 2014 and 2017, the Trustees custodially committed to supporting the building, third sector organisations, commercial organisations using the building and providing services to the community, including Cardiff Deaf Sports and Social Club, Cardiff Deaf Church Group, Cardiff Deaf Coffee Mornings, Cardiff Deaf Cool Youth Club and Cardiff Deaf Creative Hands.

Building Improvements

The building has been falling further and further into dilapidation, prior to the new agreement reached in 2014 the building was in disrepair and over the last 3 years that has increased further.

The trustees started a programme of repair during 2017 utilising funds bequeathed to the charity. Improvements included:

• Repairs to the roof;
• Windows to the building front;
• Rendering to the building front;
• New central heating system;
• Remedial plumbing work;
• Cosmetic painting in key areas of the building; and
• Shed storage.

However, it is strongly recognised that the finances held at present will not support the full repair requirements of the building and compliance improvements required. External support and grant funding must be sourced, along with routes of sustainability identified.