Hi, my name is Julie. I am one of Carron's support workers. I'm hearing and a proud mum of three teenagers.
I grew up with deaf school friends from the age of 5 and started learning BSL around the age of 15. I studied linguistics and deaf studies at university and then went on to qualify as a mainstream teacher returning later to study and qualify as a Teacher of the Deaf. At the start of my career, I worked with autistic children and adults, older people in nursing homes, people with mental health problems and supported d/Deaf, Deafblind people as a Communication Support Worker (CSW) and Learning and teaching support roles. I loved teaching the best and taught Deaf students from pre schoolers and their families up to college age students in the South of England in different schools, but then I left my career to bring up my family.
My husband, family and I live near Tring, and we share our house with our rescue cat and adopted dog. I volunteer for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf training their puppies. I have done this for over 10 years and have helped over 20 puppies be successful and matched with an owner. At the moment I have a 6-month-old puppy who I am training to socialise and teach the basic rules and manners before we go on to learning sound alerts and support work.
I like the outdoors, walking, camping and exploring. I love swimming and listening to 'chick flick' / romantic novels and story books.
I feel very lucky now to be given the opportunity to be welcomed to my new support role. I am cherishing the chance to be a advocate and facilitate Deaf people to live more fulfilling times and join in the Deaf community locally.
-Julie, Support Worker
Superb. My daughter needs an advocate..