Teesside graduate Naomi reaches for her dreams

Naomi Broughton has never let her deafness stop her from reaching for her dreams.

The 25-year-old graduated with a first class BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree and was awarded the Professor Oglesby Prize for Achievement.

Profoundly deaf from birth, Naomi communicates using speech, lip-reading and sign language.

She said: ‘I try not to let my deafness stop me from reaching my potential and dreams. The degree I completed at Teesside University was a very inspiring and challenging course.

‘It not only enhanced my knowledge, but it helped me to develop my personal, academic and social skills, while also giving me an insight into good practice.

‘I am proud to have completed the degree. It has opened and expanded my mind into seeing things from another perspective and also given me tremendous confidence in myself.’

Naomi is a former pupil of Beverley School for the Deaf in Middlesbrough and Prior Pursglove Sixth Form College in Guisborough. She is currently working as a participation officer with the National Deaf Children’s Society in London.

She added: ‘My role involves preparing presentations and travelling around the country visiting schools and youth clubs, engaging deaf and hearing impaired children in activities and networking.’

Naomi has volunteered with the National Deaf Children’s Society for the past year and is preparing to travel to Fiji for six months in January to work in a boarding school for deaf children.

She said: ‘In the past I’ve been to Africa and Brazil with a team from church. We worked in an orphanage home and a deaf school. I really want to contribute during my time in Fiji by using my own experiences and what I’ve learned from my degree.’

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