Follow DeafUmbrella on Twitter

Sign up for our factsheets today!

Member Access



Print E-mail
The Team

There are very good people working in our company.  We believe every one of our staff is a remarkable individual. Our recruitment process ensures we are leaders in our field; and we work for you!

The key people in our company


Rachel Hubbard - Managing Director
Rachel Hubbard

Deaf people and Deaf issues has almost been a lifelong involvement for me as founder of Deaf Umbrella.  My mother lost her hearing due to a medical blunder some 30yrs ago and my family struggled to know what to do, jobs were lost, emotional reactions encountered and communication methods needed to be addressed.  This is how I became involved in the Deaf community.
Deaf Umbrella came from a good idea during a career break; I had listened to D/deaf people complaining about the services available to them and felt their frustrations regarding the long waiting times for interpreter services.  My continued BSL qualifications opened my eyes to a distinct lack of support for those people climbing the ladder to become the Interpreters of tomorrow.  I knew that with my background and determination the ingredients were there to launch a company that would provide a first class service of short notice communicator assistance, and provide a solid support network to staff that would in turn serve the D/deaf community. 

My mother joined Deaf Umbrella and successfully managed a job club for 5 yrs placing 85% of the candidates into work! Brenda retired in 2005 and was greatly missed.  I have a great passion for my work; I know it's infectious!

Richard Hartley - Finance & Accounts Manager
Richard Hartley

I joined Deaf Umbrella in 2006 as finance & accounts manager.  My accounting career spans 22yrs; most of my history was with an international wine agency and distribution business.  My skills ensure I provide executive summary reports to senior management, that I am responsible for the day to day management of the accounting process, meeting all internal and external reporting deadlines.  I am responsible for the training and motivation within the accounts team; I aim to provide leadership and coaching in order to accomplish organisational, departmental and individual goals and objectives.  I have found working with Deaf people both challenging and rewarding, I have been surprised by what I have learnt about non verbal communication and hope to expand on my limited sign language learnt so far.

Amanda Turner - Office Manager
Amanda Turner

I first came to work for Deaf Umbrella in June 2002 as an Administrative Assistant.  My previous roles within the Banking and Education Sectors as a PA and Office Manager gave me excellent skills for the role; I had very little knowledge of the Deaf community however.  I enrolled on a basic course at Bexley Deaf Centre and then took my BSL Level 1.  This year I am studying my Level 2 and hope to go further.  This training has given me a useful insight into the work of the staff for whom I provide “back room support”.

I took a short career break from Deaf Umbrella to do some charity work, becoming heavily involved in a charity raising funds for underprivileged Romanian children.  In this role I was fortunate enough to travel to Romania and work very closely with members of the Romanian Royal Family.  I returned to Deaf Umbrella January 2007 as Office Manager.  I studied A Levels at Farringtons School in Chislehurst and also have a Post Graduate Royal Society of Arts Diploma in Secretarial Studies from Bromley College.  I have recently updated my qualifications with an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. On a personal note, I am a real foodie and love to cook (and of course eat) many different styles of cuisine.  I enjoy the Theatre and cinema, music of many genres – but my real passion is dogs.  I have a rescued Staffie cross-breed and actively raise funds for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Foal Farm and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.  My dog also provides me with some much-needed exercise after all that cooking and eating!

Lorrainne Loudon - Senior CSW & Office Support
Lorrainne Loudon

I joined Deaf Umbrella in 2001 as a Communicator holding BSL Level 2.  Prior to this I was a PA to the Managing Director of a Community Care company. A chance meeting led me to join a BSL level 1 class and during my studies found I had fallen in love with the language and desperately wanted to work with Deaf people. I volunteered at a local hospital drop in centre and job club, I learned a lot about life for Deaf, Deafened and Hard of Hearing people. I supported by researching and providing information on services available locally and nationally. Sometimes I was just the person who sat and listened to the difficulties some people faced due to hearing loss. Within the job club, discussing careers people wanted, obstacles and challenges and the steps required to accomplish their goals was an inspiring journey and because of this I couldn't imagine a better way to apply my experiences and wanted to continue this into my career.

I have continued my studies; become a CACDP Deaf Awareness trainer, Job Coach, Job Club Manager and advisor on applying for and retaining employment. I have actively obtained information on Audiology process’ procedure and practice to enable me to support my clients fully. Deaf Umbrella provides ongoing professional development and training and have always encouraged me to build on my skills and develop support strategies and I am confident in the knowledge if I need advice its only a phone call away. I love working with people and what better job could there be - Every day is different for me and I love it!

Katie Lomax - Junior Trainee Interpreter & Office Support
Katie Lomax

I originally joined Deaf Umbrella in 2005 a year after I had finished a BA Hons Degree in Deaf Studies and Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire. I wanted to find a place where I could put into practice all I had learnt at University about the empowerment of Deaf people and also where I could use Sign Language on a daily basis. When I started work at Deaf Umbrella as a communicator I had CACDP level two. I worked with Deaf Umbrella for almost a year and a half. During this time I achieved an NVQ level three certificate and lots of experience. I took some time out from the company to pursue other interests in teaching and personal coaching. In 2010 I returned to continue in my professional development as a communicator. I am currently a registered Junior Trainee Interpreter and am thoroughly enjoying the learning and experiences of my dual role here at Deaf Umbrella.

 

Deaf Umbrella work with and manage a team of full time employees and a fluctuating team of freelance BSL Interpreters.  We are proud of our employment statistics; we retain over 70% of our staff for 2 years or more.  Deaf Umbrella; leading the way.

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally"  David Frost 

Find us on Facebook      Follow us on Twitter