Barry Avison – Chair of the Trustees
I’m supposed to be retired!
After a lifetime of involvement in the Arts and Creative Industries, I have been inspired by people who put BSL into the limelight. Be it Shakespeare in the Globe Theatre, London or featuring on national television, I am well aware that these moments need to be followed up.
As a Vice Chair of a regional Deaf charity and a qualified accountant working with another charity before I retired, I could say I know something about Charity Laws and Governance and that’s my role with BSL Celebration. We are literally a team with diverse expertise and skills.
Like I said, I’m supposed to be retired, but I am on the Board of Trustees with DaDaFest (Disability and Deaf arts Festival). I volunteered when Liverpool hosted the Eurovision Song Contest and the Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2023. I am involved in my village’s summer carnival. I am also involved in helping to set up a Deaf Festival in Newcastle.
Is that all? … Oh? … One more thing, I am a police volunteer on the Speed Watch. I have a speed gun!
Kathleen Grehan – Trustee
I am delighted to have recently been asked to serve as a BSLC Trustee. I greatly admire the effort BSLC puts into organising the BSL Fest ™, which is entirely free for everyone.
The first BSL Fest™ took place in Woking, followed by events in Fleet, Guildford, and Manchester. I am particularly passionate about BSLC’s mission to bridge the gap between Hearing and Deaf communities through communication in British Sign Language across the UK. I look forward to fostering more external partnerships, both Hearing and Deaf, to get involved in future BSL Fests™ .
In my spare time, I love dedicating myself to yoga, attending one-on-one sessions with a Deaf teacher three times a week. Additionally, I participate in a Deaf yoga class once a week. I cherish spending time with my friends, enjoying chats, meals, and walks in the countryside.
Sam Egerton-Kemp – Trustee
I am proud and privileged to be a Trustee for BSLC. It’s a charity which is strongly linked to my second language, BSL (British Sign Language).
Attending the first BSL Fest™ in Woking 2022, it blew my mind with how strong the Deaf community came together and showcased BSL to the general public.
Being part of BSLC since then has been a real honour and working with fantastic people across all backgrounds has given me some great experience and knowledge.
For hobbies, I love baking (I am a pastry chef, professionally) and love walking with my assistance dog cockapoo, Rosie. I also love going to the beach and I am also a great computer/tech whiz!
Sammi Smith – Trustee
I am honoured to be a part of BSL Celebration by serving as a Trustee. This is my first role as a Trustee and I am loving learning and using my skills for a new purpose.
During sixth form, I took up evening BSL classes to try something new and from week one I was hooked! Learning this incredible language, and of the beautiful community who use it, I felt like I had gained a superpower and its no exaggeration to say that my life changed in those classes. I went on study BSL and Deaf Studies at UCLan in Preston, followed by level 6 interpreter training, qualifying as RSLI in 2018.
I feel privileged to work alongside many Deaf professionals in my career connecting skilled Deaf and Hearing people who are doing amazing work, including at BSL Fests™! I hope the work of BSL Celebration will show more Hearing people the talent, joy and diversity within the Deaf community and encourage them to learn BSL, leaving a legacy of more accessible towns/cities for the benefit of all.
Outside of work you will mostly find me with my one year old, Jesse, and, with another little one on the way, I don’t see that changing any time soon! When I’m less tired, I enjoy roller skating, reading a good book and getting into conversations about the big things in life.