The resilience and bravery of one of the Deaf Academy’s inspirational students has been celebrated on national television. 

Residential student Hafwen Clarke was recognised by the Welsh TV channel S4C’s show ‘Dathlu Dewrder’, a programme which celebrates courageous individuals. She is trilingual, in BSL, Welsh and English. You can view a clip from the programme with sign language and captions here…

The 20-year-old travels from her home in Wales to live and study in Exmouth during term-time. The Academy welcomed a film crew from S4C last term who documented Hafwen’s story, discovered more about her achievements and presented her with her ‘Celebrating Courage’ award. Her interview featured on S4C over the Christmas period.

Lily Beau, one of Dathlu Dewrder presenters, said afterwards: “Hafwen is one special individual that is truly deserving of this award. Her story is an amazing one and she is an inspiration to other deaf young people. 

“Hafwen shows that deaf people will and can succeed. What she does to represent deaf people is truly amazing.”

She volunteers for St John Ambulance and made history when she became the first person to sign a speech in British Sign Language at Buckingham Palace last year. She was at the Palace to receive her gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award and gave her speech to 2,000 people, while being watched by Prince Edward. 

She was shocked to discover she has won the prestigious S4C award and said: “I felt really shocked, but also very proud when I heard about my award. I am very proud of my Deaf identity. There are barriers, but I want to help show Deaf and hearing people that it is possible to overcome these barriers. 

“I want a future that’s fair and equal and for Deaf people to be able to engage in all the same things as hearing people; we can do the same jobs and travel and follow our dreams.” 

And she has big dreams for the future and added: “I dream of having a job that maybe helps raise money for charity or delivers Deaf awareness training. I’m fortunate to have received a lot of support; from my family, my old school, the Deaf Academy and St John Ambulance. This has given me confidence to follow my dreams.” 

The teenager described the experience at Buckingham Palace as ’amazing’, especially when Prince Edward signed ‘thank you’ in BSL after her speech and when she met celebrity attendees, the astronaut Tim Peake and Harry Judd from the band McFly. 

Hafwen has overcome numerous challenges in her education journey. Her first language was BSL, but she went to a Welsh-language mainstream primary school, where Welsh became her second language. 

Then, when her school Welsh BSL support worker left, the local council said it was unable to find another one. Her parents withdrew her from school and a battle with the council ensued to try to keep her in Welsh education. She eventually moved to Ysgol Plascrug, an English-medium school, and learned to read and sign via English. 

Her secondary school had a specialist unit for Deaf people, but she found the setting very big and busy and a difficult environment for her learning. She became a St John Ambulance volunteer aged 10, at her mum’s suggestion. At 18, she moved into the adult group at St John Ambulance and started supporting youth groups and helping them learn to sign, as well as the adults she was volunteering alongside. She has gained in confidence volunteering for the charity; working at festivals, large sporting events and music gigs – doing everything from bandaging injured people to performing CPR. 

Hafwen is now training to be a beauty therapist at Exeter College, which partners with the Deaf Academy. The Academy strives to support young Deaf people on pathways to achieve their ambitions. It is also providing Hafwen with sign language and wellbeing support, helping her feel confident as she pursues her goals. 

Sylvan Dewing, principal of the Deaf Academy, said: “Hafwen is so deserving of this award. She is truly an incredible young woman and such an inspiring role model to our younger students. We’re excited to see what the future holds for her.”

The full article with BSL translation is available to view via the Limping Chicken website. Read the article here: Student from The Deaf Academy honoured on national hero television show (BSL)