OUR TRUSTEES

“I learned some basic sign language from a teacher of the deaf when my daughter who is profoundly deaf was a baby. I first came to dDeaflinks in 2016/17, and whilst I’ve since stopped BSL classes I never left the Charity! I joined the Silent (deaf) choir and had great fun learning and performing signed songs to raise necessary funds and in the process made some good friends. I later became a Trustee in early 2019 in the hope that my background in HR and Business Management could make a difference to the operation of this fascinating and thoroughly worthwhile charity”

“In 2011 I stumbled into the idea of learning British Sign Language and dDeaflinks was there to help. I soon became aware of the difficulties dDeaf people have to overcome daily just to get by in a hearing world. Worse still is the injustice experienced by the dDeaf in the lack of equality of opportunity in education, health care, employment and many other areas. dDeaflinks supports the dDeaf in every way it can and helps the rest of us become aware of these injustices. I want to help dDeaflinks”

“Born Deaf from a hearing family, I attended the Mount School for the Deaf from age 2.5 till 5. I then attended mainstream, Hill Top School and Thistley Hough High; they provided Partially Hearing Units (PHU) for Deaf children. I was brought up in the hearing world and learnt sign at a later age. I felt comfortable in the Deaf world and am strongly supported by the community for socialising. Although currently part time retired, I have been a BSL teacher for colleges, communities and dDeaflinks. I became a Trustee late 2018 as I want to help dDeaflinks”

“I was the only Deaf person in my family growing up. I became profoundly Deaf after contracting measles at the age of 4. when I attended the Mount School for the Deaf, they had close connections with dDeaflinks and were the sole charity supporting the Deaf community. I have continued to attend dDeaflinks ever since for socialising and for support. I became a Trustee so I can now support the charity that has always supported me”

“BSL is a beautiful language, and that sparked my interest in learning more about the dDeaf community. I believe that everyone should have opportunities to live a full life. Over the years, I have worked in business and the voluntary sector; gaining skills and experience in leadership, training, volunteer management, organisational development. In 2017 I established a local community interest company working with asylum seekers and refugees, so I have varied understanding of the challenges running a non-profit organisation. I love working with people and became a dDeaflinks trustee to hopefully use my experiences to support the valuable work of the charity”

“I have become increasingly aware that the dDeaf Community is less visible in Society than other disability groups. I have a passion for equality and opportunity for all who are disadvantaged. Wishing to draw on my professional and personal skills and following retirement, I have become a Governor of two local primary Schools in Abbey Hulton and Tunstall, both in the most deprived areas of the country. When I lived elsewhere, I was a founder trustee of a local charity for the visually impared.  I believe my professional and personal experiences would assist dDeaflinks in serving, promoting and championing the barriers faced by the dDeaf community”