About us

We're a deaflead organisation making real changes for people.

Did you know?

Why we're called HearFirst?

HearFirst is a play on words and a nod to our roots. Back in 2002, training organisations like ours didn't exist. We were here first. Julie Ryder, our founder didn't start life deaf and to help others understand she'd say 'I could hear first but now I'm deaf'.

Julie Ryder (she/her)

Founder and Partner

After acquiring profound deafness as a young adult, my life changed. Employment options changed, the way I communicated changed, other people’s attitudes towards me changed.

Read about my story

Values you can expect on our training;

"I was anxious about attending but Julie helped me relax and made it easy for me to join in."

Gail, Finance Officer

"Great facilitation, gave us space to contribute. Good participation, plenty of good thoughts and feelings expressed all round."

Nigel, HR Director:

"Absolutely brilliant training where I feel I have engaged and not just been talked at. Absolutely fantastic!"

Kirsty, Income Officer:

"Once again your understanding of the course. Your professionalism always shines through and makes the course enjoyable."

Chris, Gas Engineer

"It’s great to come away from a training day with some new skills (as well as all the background and information you gave us)."

Janet, Commercial Co-ordinator:

"I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the course and how well I felt it was delivered. It was such a thought provoking day."

Martin, Lettings Adviser:

Services for all

Whether you’ve teams of plumbers or project managers, we've got you covered.

Use us for a range of training needs e.g. mandatory roll outs, enhancing your customer experience, awareness events, targeted response to training needs analysis, staff inclusion, student enrichment and volunteer development

View course list

Case studies

Always supporting our clients.

ForHousing

British Sign Language Training, half day sessions delivered annually since 2017. Blend of face to face and virtual delivery.

View this case study

Community Arts North West

Disability Equality Training, 1 day face to face interactive session at the client's site for the Team and Board.

View this case study

Huddersfield Literature Festival

A practical, bitesized, evening training session for volunteers and staff, raising awareness and skills in tackling discriminatory behaviours.

View this case study

Glasgow Film Theatre

Understanding Deafness and British Sign Language. A half day, interactive training session for all front facing staff and volunteers. Delivery times for both sessions aligned with cinema operational requirements.

View this case study

The Whitworth Art Gallery

A ‘Sensable’ Visit. A full day, face to face, tailored course for the Visitor Services Team. Focussing on understanding the access needs of visitors with sensory disabilities.

View this case study

+ View all our case studies

SUCCESS AND QUALITY

Award winning workplace training & accreditations

HearFirst is an award winning organisation and we want to celebrate your successes too. We can play a key role in supporting you with relevant accreditations and awards that tie into the training we've delivered for you.

Let’s talk about your training needs.

Contact us

Growing your skills, knowledge and confidence.

HearFirst offers learning opportunities to inspire and motivate your team.

Services.

Company.

Contact & Social.

About us

We're a deaflead organisation making real changes for people.

Did you know?

Why we're called HearFirst?

Julie Ryder (she/her)

Values you can expect on our training;

Respectful.

People Focused.

Commited.

Sincere.

Informative.

Value Driven.

Services for all

Whether you’ve teams of plumbers or project managers, we've got you covered.

Case studies

Always supporting our clients.

ForHousing

Community Arts North West

Huddersfield Literature Festival

Glasgow Film Theatre

The Whitworth Art Gallery

SUCCESS AND QUALITY

Award winning workplace training & accreditations

Let’s talk about your training needs.

Growing your skills, knowledge and confidence.

Services

Company

Contact & Social