My name is James and I’m delighted to say I’ve joined Result CIC on a work experience placement within marketing and research.

Just to introduce myself, I’ve worked and volunteered with numerous cultural organisations across a variety of roles, including within the areas of science and technology with MadLab and in disability arts with DaDaFest. I am currently learning creative leadership skills as a producer with the Royal Exchange Young Company, I work part-time as a Festival intern at Z-Arts and I’ve just started a course in British Sign Language Level 1.

I met Jane Cordell, one of Result CIC’s directors, at DaDaFest Perform in Liverpool, where I was volunteering as the marketing assistant. We were sat next to each other making use of the lipspeaker, which was a new experience for me! (A lipspeaker, for those of you who may not know, is someone trained to repeat what has been said to lipreaders accurately, without using their voice, using facial expression and gestures to aid understanding).

After introductions she invited me to apply for a work experience opportunity with her company in Manchester. I was quick to follow up on this because it represented a rare opportunity to work with someone with vast amounts of experience in a wide variety of sectors… and who is also deaf! I’m still in the process of figuring out what career and which areas I’d like to work in, and how to conduct myself within them, and working with Jane will allow me to see for myself an example of successful deaf people in the workplace, which will hopefully help develop my self-awareness and clarify my own goals.

I have lived experience of the issues Result CIC attempts to address as a deaf person, and have worked with marginalized and excluded groups including helping to give young disabled people the opportunity to express themselves through performance with DaDaFest, working to increase access and inclusion for disabled children at Z-Arts and volunteering as a mentor to young cochlear-implant wearers with the Ear Foundation in Leeds. I’m passionate about giving everyone the chance to contribute in meaningful ways and lead fulfilling lives, and I’m delighted to be working with Result CIC to continue and develop my own skills and experiences of collaborating with others to bring about positive change.

During my placement over the next few months I will be carrying out identified online research for Result CIC, creating specific lists of potential contacts, investigating appropriate individuals and organisations to follow on social media and providing marketing support. Through coaching sessions and mentoring by Jane, Hormoz and Rob who is their Marketing Advisor, I hope to clarify exactly what it is I want to achieve or improve, look at my options and how to achieve my goals. Through this process I’d like to learn to be more confident, assertive and hopefully become a positive role model for others, promoting inclusion, fairness, personal growth and development.

I’m looking forward to it!

James