Patrons

We are very grateful for the ongoing support of some amazing people.

Yvonne Cobb (Deaf/BSL)

Yvonne is a BBC Food & Lifestyle Deaf Presenter, Celebrity Cook, and Deaf role model.

Jo Milne (Usher/Deafblind)

Jo is an Author and Campaigner. She is a regular TV, Documentary and Radio spokesperson. She has been recognised as a Future List of Power Women and regularly advocates in Parliament.

Yvonne Cobb (Deaf/BSL)

She’s the first Deaf cook to appear on This Morning (ITV) and Morning Live (BBC One), and has co-hosted BBC’s See Hear since 2018. In 2022, she became the first Deaf female reporter on BBC News.

An award-winning entrepreneur, Yvonne runs her own cookery business teaching healthy eating in BSL. With over 20 years of experience in BSL teaching and assessing, she also delivers training and promotes Deaf awareness, women’s wellbeing, and menopause education through social media.

Outside of work, she enjoys family life, crafting, gardening, yoga, and cold-water swimming.

She is passionate about Deaf-initely Women and brings lived experience, strength, and insight to help empower Deaf women through all stages of life.

Jo Milne (Usher/Deafblind)

What an organisation! What a community of deaf, deaf blind, and hard-of-hearing women.

I’m so moved by its mission, and I believe it’s so important to empower and advocate for women to live safely, to learn and work in inclusive and accessible environments and have their voices heard– to push back against domestic or sexual abuse, access healthcare and social services, first responders and access community, transport and society.

I was born profoundly deaf, started to lose my sight around 8 years old – a condition called Usher syndrome. Awareness is so low, I felt is there was no-one else like me, also living with a dual sensory loss. We need more role models, someone to look up to

It’s so important that we are recognised and feel supported– this helps with our overall health, mental health and our well-being.

We need to stand up, be recognised so the next generation don’t feel so alone too. Deafblindness affects over 400,000 in the UK, many in the ageing population too.

I live in the North East with my husband, two young children

I love history, and often find inspiration from many powerful women in the past who’ve shaped the world we live in today. And I love vintage clothes and fashion.

I’m so happy, and so honoured to become Patron and I look forward to meeting you all.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and would love to have more opportunities to create, learn new craft skills, other subjects and advanced levels as the options for myself as a deafblind person is very far and few. Just having that chance has been great as it has made a difference to my mental health”

“Thank you for arranging these wonderful events. It means I am able to feel part of a large community safely in my home!”

“It was amazing. Great for all of us to build confidence around horses, different sizes. It was emotional for me I feel I have got my life back. I enjoyed it so much that I didn`t want the day to end.”

“I am less anxious being in a group of deaf ladies discussing forums as I know I won’t be judged....people think because I have speech I can’t be severely/ profoundly deaf!.... and can follow the conversation captions and sign language is available. I am therefore more receptive to the information being given.”

Our events