Our history
Established as a charity in 1981, The Elizabeth Foundation has
been supporting deaf children and their families for more than
four decades
Set up by parents in 1981
The Elizabeth Foundation was founded in 1981 by parents Shirley and David Metherell MBEs, whose daughter, Elizabeth, was identified as being profoundly deaf when she was 22 months old.
In response to a lack of local support for Elizabeth, and inspired by the John Tracy Center in Los Angeles, Shirley and David established and developed The Elizabeth Foundation to support other deaf children and their families.
The Elizabeth Foundation quickly grew and developed, and today we are the UK’s single largest provider of early intervention, educational and support services for preschool children and babies with all degrees of deafness.
Key moments in our history
1979
Elizabeth Metherell born
Shirley and David Metherell celebrate the birth of their daughter Elizabeth. By the time Elizabeth was 8 months old, her parents have concerns about her hearing. However, it takes until she is 22 months old (in 1981) for Elizabeth to be officially diagnosed as profoundly deaf.
1984
Work starts on the Family Centre in Hampshire
The charity secures a 99-year lease on a plot of land near Portsmouth’s main hospital, and plans are drawn up for a purpose-built family centre. Shirley and David Metherell start a major fundraising and public relations drive, and together with a group of parent volunteers start building with the first major grant from The Tudor Trust.
1989
HRH Princess Royal opens the Family Centre
1981
The Elizabeth Foundation becomes a charity
Following Elizabeth’s diagnosis, her parents take their daughter to Los Angeles, USA to visit the world famous John Tracy Center for young deaf children. Inspired by the John Tracy Center’s remarkable services – and driven by the need to help other parents of young deaf children – on their return Shirley and David set up a support group to provide early intervention services. Four other deaf babies and their parents begin to meet regularly in the Metherell’s home and within just seven months, the new organisation – named The Elizabeth Foundation after their daughter – gains full charitable status. The following year classes start being held in temporary accommodation in the grounds of Shirley’s local primary school.
1986
Home Learning Programme launches
The Elizabeth Foundation launches its Home Learning Programme for parents of preschool deaf children unable to attend regular sessions at the Family Centre in Hampshire. This printed course later formed the basis for our unique online Let’s Listen and Talk programme for parents.
1994
Innovative Paediatric Audiological Test Centre opens
After completing a successful fundraising appeal, The Elizabeth Foundation completes and opens its Newborn Hearing Screening and Paediatric Test Centre. The first of its kind in the country – operated jointly with the local Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. In the same year, The University of Portsmouth recognises Shirley Metherell’s work with deaf children and their parents by awarding her an honorary Master of Education degree.
The Elizabeth Foundation is like a huge hug … As soon as we started our journey with you, it was like a weight lifted off our shoulders and suddenly everything became so much easier.
It has been absolutely the most unassumingly inclusive place that our son visits … you saw no barriers only possibilities! You taught our son to listen and to learn and to enjoy both. It remains a place of enduring positivity, comfort and ambition.
A huge thank you for making a difference in our family’s lives. You were there from the very beginning … ensuring that our daughter would have all the support she needs and that we as a family would have all the support that we would need.
Thank you a million times over – for not only being teachers, but friends; for your advice, your shelter, your comfort and for caring. We are going to miss you all so incredibly much, but you have given my daughter the best start in life!
Elizabeth’s story
Shirley Metherell, MBE, who set up The Elizabeth Foundation with her husband David, tells the story of what led them to set up the charity:
“Elizabeth was the perfect baby. Nothing disturbed her, she was quiet and content and, right from the beginning, extremely observant. From a couple of months old, I remember her big brown eyes following me around the room and she would watch my face intently as I talked and played with her.
“However our joy was short lived. By the time Elizabeth was five months old, we began to realise that she was not responding to any sounds … [click below to read more]
“Unlike today (with modern screening and diagnostic technology), even with our huge parental concern, 22 months passed before it was confirmed that Elizabeth was indeed profoundly deaf.
“In the meantime, we were sure that Elizabeth couldn’t hear. As there was no help or support forthcoming locally, we discovered The John Tracy Center in California, beginning their Correspondence Course for parents of deaf babies when Elizabeth was just nine months old, long before her deafness was officially identified.
“So many positive messages of encouragement winged their way across the Atlantic, that were to shape my thoughts and beliefs on the way that deaf babies and preschool children and their parents should be helped.
“It is amazing to remember that by following the advice and guidance through the Correspondence Course, that by the time she was two years old, our little girl already had a useful vocabulary.
“Three months after Elizabeth’s deafness was finally identified, we made the exciting and inspirational trip to The John Tracy Center, for their annual four week summer session, where we met with parents with deaf children from all over the world.
“It was this experience that encouraged us to begin a new and exciting organisation in the UK. An organisation that would be passionate about the importance of newborn hearing screening and one that would understand the important role of the parent as the child’s most important teachers and advocates.
“Two months later in September 1981 The Elizabeth Foundation was born, and Elizabeth was joined by Oliver, Danielle, Lucy and James in weekly sessions held in our family home.
“The rest – as they say – is history…”
Our Impact
