I have always been an active member of the deaf community. Being deaf myself, with a deaf family, I grew up in London where I was heavily involved in sport, competing against both deaf and non-deaf clubs. I helped set up England Deaf Rugby Union in 2003 and have really enjoyed watching it grow. I am also Squad Manager for one of the teams at Heathfield and Waldron RFC. I strongly believe in doing everything possible to improve deaf people’s lives and have been involved with various Deaf organisations. Over the years I have worked with many organisations to raise awareness and ensure that deaf people have the same access to information as everyone else. Currently I am on the SouthEastern’s Accessible Travel Advisory Panel (ATAP).

Working as a trainer and translator since 2000, my accolades include being awarded the North East Royal Television Award for best newcomer in 2003 and being asked to be the first Deaf interpreter to deliver the first live BSL service on Channel 4 news primetime for Red Bee Media for disability day. Following on from this, I have also translated live news for Red Bee’s BBC News BSL team as well as pre-recorded programmes. I have also recorded national announcements such as the Coronavirus update information on geographical tiers and lockdown restrictions and for Network Rail in Euston related to public announcements.

I love the fact that my job takes me across the country, whether physically or remotely and enables me to meet new people from many walks of life. No day is the same. The variety of organisations that I work with, whether Councils, Charities or private organisations, mean that life is never dull!

I was born deaf into a hearing family. After studying at college and university in the North, I moved to London and having lived and worked there for nearly 20 years, made the decision with Marcel to move to East Sussex to be nearer the sea. I have loved being near the seafront, or in the nearby woods with our three children and dogs. Aside from spending time with my family, and my work, I love yoga, reading, cooking and anything to do with interior design or crafts.

During my time living in London, I worked as a Project Coordinator for several deaf organisations including RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People). I managed several projects across London and the South East whilst in these roles, including organising workshops for Deaf people who were looking for work.

We set up WealdBSL after our move to East Sussex, to focus on BSL courses, Translation and Equality Training, allowing us to utilise all our strengths and experience. I love the challenge of the work and the people and partners we have the opportunity to work with.

You will often find me working at my desk with the cat or dog pestering me! My role can vary enormously, from working in the studio, setting up the equipment to deliver BSL translation projects, to organising the Sign Language courses that we deliver, the accounting, and large amounts of administration that all that entails!