We aim to deliver training that will result in real changes being made for real people.
"After the trauma of losing my hearing I want to train, educate and encourage service providers to consider disability and the needs of disabled people. In many cases it is a question of changing attitudes to change behaviour – we encourage a positive attitude towards disability."
HearFirst was established in Lancashire in 2002 by Julie Ryder, initially, to deliver deaf awareness training to front line staff in organisations.
The following year HearFirst expanded the product range to offer disability equality and awareness training and deafblind awareness training. HearFirst sourced specialist tutors to write and deliver the new courses and the training was marketed further afield, throughout the UK.
The same pattern has continued since then and we've grown up into an award winning organisation delivering training on broader aspects of Diversity and Equality. We now offer the wide range of courses you see today being delivered by our own specialist team of tutors.
Why we're called HearFirst?
HearFirst might seem a strange name for a deaf led organisation. The reason for our name is twofold:
- Julie Ryder (Founder and Director) was born hearing and then became deaf in her 20's. She's now profoundly deaf and uses a cochlear implant. She could hear first!
- When HearFirst started in 2002 we didn't know any other organisations doing training like ours in the way we do it. We were literally here first.
Our clients
We work throughout the UK with many sectors e.g. NHS, Museums, Housing, Education etc. We often tailor training and develop sessions to meet the specific aims of our clients. You can see a selection of who we've been working with and where on our case studies page.
Sometimes our successes even hit the headlines – view our news page. If you need additional information or references just let us know.
Awards
Specsavers Sound Barrier Awards 2009
National Finalist
Barclays Trading Places Awards Regional Winner 2008
Stelios Award Runner up Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2007
Accreditations
Investors in People
Positive about Disabilities
Registered Centre with awarding body Signature
Skills Pledge
UK Register of Learner Providers
