Sharon’s Journey to Belonging at Liberty Tea Rooms
Finding my place in LTR
“My name is Sharon, and I was born profoundly deaf into a hearing family. Growing up in a small village called Redbourn in Hertfordshire, I had no connection to other deaf people and no means to communicate until I was three. There was little awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) at the time, so my journey to communicate started through extensive speech therapy. My parents discouraged the use of sign language, which limited my connection with others. However, in my early 20s, I joined a deaf club with support from my social worker, despite my parents’ reservations. It was there that I finally connected with others like me and began learning sign language.
I’ll never forget my first visit to Liberty Tea Rooms. It was a rainy day, and I went inside with my friends to escape the downpour. The place was buzzing with activity, but what caught me by surprise was when the owner, Kerry-Anne, came over and started signing to us! It was the first time I’d encountered someone signing in a public space, which made me feel truly welcome.
Sharon’s Journey to Belonging at Liberty Tea Rooms
Growing in Confidence and Community
After talking to Kerry-Anne and learning more about LTR, I decided to volunteer but was uncertain about the communication barriers I might face. With support, I took on a trial shift, nervous but willing to give it a try. Working at Liberty Tea Rooms has given me newfound confidence. I overcame my fear of talking with guests and collaborating with the team. My fellow volunteers have been incredibly supportive, and we’ve even incorporated basic signs into our interactions. Now, I’m a Shift Leader, and though it can be challenging at times, I’ve learned to trust in my abilities.
Every shift brings new connections, and I’ve enjoyed teaching basic sign language to guests, creating an atmosphere of learning and acceptance. Liberty Tea Rooms has become my place of community, a space where I feel valued, included, and appreciated for who I am.“