05/08/2026
At Housing 21, we’re always striving to make our services as inclusive as possible.
Recently, I completed a tenancy sign-up with a new resident who has been deaf since the age of 8. Her son, who has been deaf since he was 4 years old, supports her, and meeting them made me stop and reflect.
I like to think I’m an inclusive person, but I realised I wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be. The BSL I’d learnt years ago had long since disappeared from my memory (thank you, perimenopause! 😊).
So, I’ve decided to do something about it. I’ve found a fantastic FREE British Sign Language course on the Alison app, and I’m dedicating around three hours of my own time each week to re-learn BSL.
It’s a slow process, but one I’m genuinely excited about. Even better, my resident and her son have very kindly agreed to let me practise new signs with them, helping me build my confidence and making sure I’m signing correctly.
Inclusivity isn’t about getting everything right the first time—it’s about recognising where we can do better, being willing to learn, and taking those small steps that can make a big difference to the people we support.
Here’s to learning, growing, and creating communities where everyone feels seen, heard, and included. 💙