Staff stories - Jan's story

Jan works as a senior support worker at a service for people who are deaf.

Most of the communication in the house uses sign language.

Many of the staff who work at the house are hearing impaired or deaf.

Jan learned how to sign before she started working for United Response.

Jan enrolled in an evening class to learn how to sign before she joined United Response.

Jan says, "I was just interested in learning something new. I had never imagined I would be able to use it in a job."

Jan worked for BT before she joined United Response.

After she left BT she applied for a job in one of United Response's deaf services.

Jan said she couldn't believe it when she found out that she got the job.

Jan said, "You feel quite humble. Before I started working here I was just looking after my own family. Now I realise there is so much I can help with here as well".

Jan said, "Since I started working at the service, United Response has given me the opportunity to take more courses in sign language, so now I can communicate with the service users even better".