At a Carlisle Diocesan Conference, held at Barrow-in-Furness in September, 1893, it was resolved:- "That this conference recognises the duty of making some special provision for the spiritual care of the Deaf and Dumb within the Diocese."  Some two months later, on 28th November, 1893 at the Abbey, Carlisle it was agreed to form a "Church Mission to the Deaf and Dumb within the Diocese of Carlisle".

The Mission's objects were to provide spiritual instruction for the Deaf and Dumb within the Diocese, to keep a register of their conditions and circumstances, to visit the sick and offer help as required, to assist deaf and dumb children to be admitted to special schools, to educate adults and help them find work, and to provide them with suitable recreation.

The Church Mission to the Deaf and Dumb within the Diocese of Carlisle was one of many Missions and Institutes for the Adult Deaf and Dumb formed in  towns and cities throughout the country during the nineteenth century.  Relying heavily on voluntary contributions they employed a Missioner to carry out their object. This was usually, though by no means always, a hearing man who was able to communicate fluently in English and Sign Language.

In the 1891 Census the Diocese had 169 persons listed as deaf and dumb, and 11 others listed as deaf from childhood, but the actual number was thought to be considerably more.

Much of the spiritual and recreational life of deaf people focused on the local deaf club.  Carlisle was the first to provide rented facilities before acquiring its present headquarters at 3 Compton Street, Carlisle. Barrow followed in the 1930's, Whitehaven in the 1970's and Kendal in the 1980's.

In the decades following the Second World War, deaf people increasingly became aware of the opportunities available to hearing people.  Able young, deaf people wanted to attend college, deaf adults wanted greater opportunities at work and hearing people were becoming more interested in deafness.  The word 'Dumb' was dropped from the title of most voluntary organisations for the deaf.  By this time deaf people were taking responsibility  for the running of this organisation which was one of the first to appoint deaf people to its Management Committee.

The status of Sign Language was much improved by linguists who were able to prove its standing as a language in its own right.  From the 1970's onwards there was growing interest in deafness and in Sign Language.  Many hearing people acquired Sign Language skills not only to communicate with deaf people but also to take up careers as Communication Support workers in colleges, and as Sign Language interpreters.