Inspirational Deaf Academy student to be honoured on national hero TV show
The resilience and bravery of one of the Deaf Academy’s inspirational students will be celebrated on national television this month.
Hafwen Clarke, 20, has been recognised by the Welsh TV channel S4C’s show ‘Dathlu Dewrder’, a programme which celebrates courageous individuals from Wales.
The Academy in Exmouth recently welcomed a film crew from S4C who interviewed Hafwen to discover more about her achievements and to present her with her ‘Celebrating Courage’ award. Her interview will feature on S4C on December 27th at 8pm.
Lily Beau one of Dathlu Dewrder presenters said: “Hafwen is one special individual that is truly deserving of a ‘Dathlu Dewrder’ award. Hafwen’s 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.”
Hafwen is trilingual, in British Sign Language, Welsh and English. 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 this 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.
And Hafwen, who lives term time at the Deaf Academy, says she was surprised to discover she has won the prestigious S4C award. She adds: “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. She adds: “I dream of having a job in the future 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’ after her speech and when she met celebrity attendees, the astronaut Tim Peake and Harry Judd from the band McFly.
Hafwen’s first language was British Sign Language (BSL), but she went to a Welsh-language mainstream primary school, where Welsh became her second language, and she had learning support from Welsh BSL signer.
But when her 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. Through the charity she has worked at festivals, large sporting events and music gigs and has done everything from bandaging injured people to performing CPR.
Hafwen is now training to be a hairdresser 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.”
Dathlu Dewrder is due to be screened on S4C at 8pm on December 27. This can be viewed online using this link https://www.s4c.cymru/cy/
