11. SDF Reports

Student Development Fund: Award Recipient Reports British Sign Language level 1 & 2

John Snow College students Caitlin O’Donnell, Izabela Iichovska and Lauren Horsey all chose to take up British Sign Language (BSL) as part of their University journey. Receiving a Student Development Fund Award and supported by - bsl.society@durham.ac.uk continuing to develop their skills in this area.

Caitlin had started her BSL journey in her first year at University and now in second year she ‘decided to take the Level 2 BSL course this year as I had taken Level 1 in my first year and loved learning the language in such a diverse and inclusive environment. I wanted to deepen my understanding of the language, as well as Deaf culture.’ Whereas Lauren’s first introduction to British Sign Language was ‘learning how to sign the alphabet at primary school. Although I was able to sign my name, and could tell people my favourite colour, it was only once I got my first job in a coffee shop that I fully realised the benefits of being able to communicate in BSL as it would have been particularly useful when working alongside hearing-impaired co-workers, and customers.’ Izabela had also had some pre-University experience of BSL completing an introductory course, explaining ‘I vividly remember how interesting and fun it was to attend these classes with my friends. Fast forward to the first two years at University with no practice; I have already forgotten how to use the basics of finger-spelling and greetings.’ Once at Durham, although a little rusty her interest in BSL had not diminished and ‘One day, while scrolling down the news feed on Facebook, I saw a post from the BSL society at Durham that they offer courses for beginners. I was surprised to learn that we could also obtain qualifications in BSL at the end of the course by successfully completing an exam.’ Izabela, along with Caitlin and Lauren all signed up to Durham’s British Sign Language Society. Lauren stated ‘Through the Level 1 BSL course, we have covered a wide range of topics from food to time to weather, and have been introduced to a new community, as well as aspects of deaf culture. The course is engaging, and rewarding; our teacher, Susan, encourages active participation but the class environment is both supportive, and relaxed. As a result, I have found that my own confidence has developed. I would recommend the course for anyone wanting to have fun whilst learning a valuable skill - I look forward to our class every week!’ With Izabela adding ‘At first, I was a little bit nervous about who I will meet and how I will learn and progress throughout the course. With the beginning of the first classes, I managed to make new friends and learn more about signing in the every-day life. Now, I can happily say that engaging in BSL is an inspirational and eye-opening experience. The inclusivity and diversity within our growing community, makes everyone feel welcome. I cannot wait to be able to communicate freely with people using sign language.’ All three students are hugely complementary of the quality of course delivery with Caitlin stating ‘I’ve also found that this has been a fantastic second language for me to learn as in the past I’ve struggled with learning spoken languages and I’d highly recommend this course to anyone who has found language acquisition difficult in the past’ and Izabela testifying ‘I would also like to encourage more students to participate in BSL; it is worth it!

Charlie Tyson - Scout Inter-railing Trip

I am Charlie Tyson, a 3rd year primary Education student. Last summer I was one of four adults who led a European inter-railing trip for 19 Scouts, aged between 14 and 17, from Lincolnshire. The aim of the trip was to give young people the chance to ‘independently’ explore Europe. The trip started off at Grantham train station on one of the hottest days of the year. It was a shaky start after the heat caused an electrical failure meaning all trains were cancelled on the east coast main line. Fortunately, trains started to run again in the evening but the journey took over two and a half hours. This was still short compared to what was to come. As planned, we roughed the night in St Pancras train station and got the first Euro Star in the morning to Brussels. Once again, the heat caused a problem as our train from Brussels to Berlin had been cancelled! After initial complications, a helpful clerk suggested a route via Cologne. We found the route just in time as the train left the station within the next few minutes. The train from Cologne to Berlin was nearly six hours and we had somehow found ourselves in a carriage with the broken air conditioning in 30C temperatures; scorching is an understatement. To make it even better only a handful of us had seats. Finally, 22 hours after we had left Grantham, we were at our first accommodation in Berlin all devouring a well needed pizza. From here on the trip ran much smoother. The next day we explored Berlin. We were out early as a group and went to see the main attractions. Then came the nervous bit for us as leaders leaving the young people free to roam a large city, unaccompanied. We had set out strict rules which the young people followed exceptionally, and we had no issues for the whole two-week trip. We followed this format for every city to give the young people as much opportunity as we could to be independent. The next morning, eight and half hours after departing Berlin, we made it to Krakow, Poland, where we stopped for two days. We rested for the remainder of the day heading out the following morning for a tour and to explore the beautiful, and unbelievably cheap city. The next day we went to Auschwitz, a place everybody on the trip wanted to visit. This was a shocking, humbling experience that I’m very glad I got the opportunity to go to and one I know I will always remember. All the young people acted with excellent maturity and myself and the other leaders were incredibly impressed with their behaviour.

The next morning, we took our longest single train on the trip from Krakow to Prague, six and half hours. In Prague I had my favourite meal of the trip, up near the impressive Prague Castle, a Beef Goulash inside a handmade bread bun bowl. It was incredible! The next stop was Saverne a small French town near Strasbourg. Here everybody had a much-needed rest with the young people going to the local pool for the whole day and the leaders relaxing in the sun with some great food. After spending two nights in Rohn Castle, built in the 18th Century, we made our way to our final stop Paris.

Paris didn’t fail to impress anyone with its incredible architecture. After a day of exploring, we all met for one final group evening meal in a small steakhouse. The next morning, we made our way back to Grantham, and that was it: 2,900 miles later; 15 days after departing; 18 trains travelled on; six cities explored; seven countries travelled; dozens of attractions seen; too many floors sat on, we had finished, and everyone went home for a well needed rest. The trip was a great opportunity for myself, the leaders and the young people. Before the trip, we as a leadership team had to organise train passes, accommodation, money, kit, training camps, the list goes on. Paul, another leader, has to get a mention here as he was able to guide and support the running of the whole trip giving myself much needed advice and guidance on how to run a successful international trip. His work was invaluable.

Despite our planning beforehand many things still had to be done during the trip: checking into accommodation; handling the young people’s money that got distributed in each city; constantly checking on the young people as they explored the cities freely; checking planned train times and of course looking after the general wellbeing of the young people. For a couple of the young people this was the first time they had left England, and the opportunity we offered really gave them a chance to be independent and experience the world, as well as giving me the opportunity to take on this massive responsibility, which I thoroughly enjoyed!