HearFirst UK - HearFirst Team

The HearFirst Team

Julie Ryder (Partner)

‘Julie is energetic, enthusiastic and committed to making real changes for real people.’

Julie founded HearFirst in 2002 after becoming deaf herself in her 20’s She understands that service providers need increased skills and knowledge to provide good levels of customer service to deaf and disabled people. Her positive enthusiastic attitude will truly motivate and inspire you to wanting to learn more.

Ayesha (Ash) B Gavin BA (Hons), PGCE (Training Manager)

‘Ash is inspiring, her style of course delivery is interesting and engaging.’

As well as delivering training packages, Ash is responsible for researching, developing and writing training courses here at HearFirst. She has also written and directed 2 issue-based short films for Channel 4, and has developed her engaging teaching style through creating and delivering numerous training courses in everything from discrimination awareness to drama. Working tirelessly to improve access for deaf and disabled people, Ash has a great deal of knowledge to share with you.

Jayne Brierley

Jayne is lively, fun and professional!

Jayne has joined the HearFirst team as a tutor in British Sign Language. Jayne has over 20 years experience signing at all levels (she has a Deaf daughter) and is guaranteed to make every learning session thought provoking, inspiring and a lot of fun besides! She also teaches baby signing for our sister company TalkFirst

Kate Brierley BA (Hons)

We are proud to welcome Kate onto the HearFirst team as a tutor in Deaf issues and British Sign Language. Kate has much to offer and far to go with her enthusiasm and engaging teaching style. Kate has been Deaf all her life and is a British Sign Language user, which not only gives her an excellent working knowledge of Sign Language and Deaf cultural issues, but also how to communicate this to anyone who is interested in learning BSL.

Debi Burridge BA

‘Debi is an effective tutor with a huge bank of practical ideas to share with others’

Debi is a qualified a lipreading tutor. After 10 years of working with deaf people and 20 years of marriage to her deaf husband, Debi is deeply committed to the advancement of communication between deaf and hearing people. She is an experienced HearFirst tutor and communicates well with all levels of staff and managers.

Mickey Fellowes BA MA

‘Mickey delivers his obvious knowledge in a way which leaves you waiting for more.’

Mickey has extensive experience of working with disabled people through devising, fundraising, developing, teaching and managing many successful programmes of Arts Training courses at Higher Education and Further Education level. He is deaf himself and is passionate about promoting the Social Model to non-disabled people.

Matthew Ryder (Partner)

'Matt is efficient! The office is well managed.’

Matt is Julie’s husband as well as business partner. He joined HearFirst in 2004 having previously worked as Commercial Manager for a large engineering company. His experience of living with a deafened person coupled with his business experience makes him an ideal manager to develop HearFirst into a major training provider.

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