Active Lives: Amanda's story

This video visits the case study of Amanda, a woman using the support of the Council's Deaf Services to improve her self-confidence and achieve more in life.

Video transcript

Kent County Council Deaf Services www.kent.gov.uk/deaf title Active Lives

We are inside the training centre in Gravesend. Amanda walks in and starts to train at the computer. We see her City and Guilds certificate.

Keith: Well it’s good to meet you today. How are you, ok?

Amanda: Yes I’m fine thank you.

Keith: How do you feel this morning?

Amanda: Great.

Keith: I’ll ask you a question; how did you feel as a deaf person before Kent County Council visited and helped you?

Amanda: Very negative, didn’t accept being deaf; felt lost.

Keith: Very low, very negative. If you remember we did lots of visits and we focused on a few eco plans. Do you remember the first one was negative? We looked at those, then the second one was the positive plan and we looked at those, do you feel that after it changed you as a deaf person?

Amanda: Yes, it’s given me a lot of confidence about being deaf.

Keith: So your confidence is up?

Amanda: Yes.

Keith: That’s good. So you’re here learning to use computers?

Amanda: Yes working well and I’ve passed one test already

Keith: You’ve passed one already?

Amanda: Yes, and I hope to achieve more.

Keith: You’re hoping to achieve a lot more, that’s good and I see today you got an award, congratulations!

Amanda: Yes, thank you.

Keith: I think you’re doing one more course in May, is that right?

Amanda: Yes, I am hoping to start in May British Sign Language.

Keith: So you’re doing BSL? Basic? Oh that’s good. I wish you lots of luck with that.

Amanda: Thank you.

Keith: Do you want me to book another appointment in the future?

Amanda: Yes please.

Keith: So you’re happy with Kent County Council to continue to help you?

Amanda: Yes, deaf services has given me back my life.

Keith: Fantastic!

Interpreter: It was great that Amanda got that certificate in computer skills; that was fantastic.

Keith: Yes, but she is also learning to sign now, this means she is meeting more deaf people, her self confidence has really improved.

Interpreter: What support do you give to deafblind people?

Keith: Well all our services for deaf people are available for deafblind people to but there’s additional help as well from guide communicators who can help with a wide range of things.