My first introduction to BSL was during my employment with Sense (National
Deafblind Organisation). I worked there, in various roles, for 11 enjoyable
years. I achieved my BSL stage 1, 2 and Pre-Level 3 whilst there and attended
the first “BSL Rally” in London during 1999. During this time I received
a ‘Certificate of Achievement’ from Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (BID). This
was for my involvement in the recruitment of Deaf people into Sense's residential
services.
I moved to London in 2002 and managed a Supported Housing team for Riverhaven (formally Harding Housing Association). I also worked as a casual Communication Support Worker for Oak Lodge School for 2 evenings a week. During these
two years I achieved my BSL NVQ Level 3 and NVQ Level 4 (Language Units). I completed my NVQ BSL/English Interpreting course in November 2006.
Since January 2005, I have been working solely as a freelance BSL Interpreter
and am registered as MRSLI (Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters) with the NRCPD
(National Register of Communication Professionals with Deaf and Deafblind People) via Signature (formerly known as CACDP: Council for the Advancement
of Communication with Deaf People).
I have experience of the following domains:
• Education (Primary,
Secondary, College, University) including staff development courses/training • Employment (Interviews,
Disciplinary, Supervision, Senior Management level) • Mental Health
(In/Out patient, Assessments, Multi-Disciplinary team meetings,
training and awareness sessions) • Community • Platform and Conference • Politics • Health (GP, hospitals,
home visits) • Office (telephone,
report writing, team meetings up to senior management level) • Media (Office/location
based work, including BBC and Channel 4 and newspaper journalism) • Staff training
sessions • International
(including WFD conference and European Politics) • Union • Theatre (both
interpreting as well as volunteer acting for various organisations) • Deaf relay and
Spoken Language interpreters
I am also a full member of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters ASLI. I also have the voluntary role of ASLI London & South East Representative,
please see ASLI website for more details.
Other qualifications/experience include
• Certified Group
trainer • NVQ Assessor • Registered Care
Manager • Health & Safety,
Food Hygiene • Management Certificates
(NEBSM) • Deafblind awareness • Challenging Behaviour
management • Mental Health • Learning Difficulties • Housing Law and
Supported Housing • Management &
Supervision • Quality Assurance • Staff induction,
recruitment and professional development • Alternative communication
methods (tactile, objects of reference)
