We’ve won the national Independent Educator of the Year Awards—Here’s why that’s Big News for you
We’ve been keeping this one under wraps for a little while… but now it’s official and we can finally shout it from the rooftops:
🎉 Deaf Umbrella Ltd has won the national Independent Educator of the Year Award by the Business Awards UK.
To say we’re proud is an understatement.
Why this matters (especially if you're thinking of becoming a CSW)
Let’s be real for a second.
If you’ve ever taken a BSL course, you know how incredible it is to learn the language. But after the certificates, many learners are left thinking…
“What now?”
“How do I actually support a Deaf student or client?”
“Am I even doing this right?”
We hear it all the time.
That’s because BSL classes teach you how to sign, but not how to be a Communication Support Worker (CSW). There’s a big gap between learning the language and stepping into a professional role.
That’s the gap we set out to fill.
How we’re changing the game
Deaf Umbrella, led by our founder Rachel Hubbard, has always been known for Deaf awareness, interpreter support, and creating employment opportunities for the Deaf community.
But when we realised how many new BSL users and aspiring CSWs were feeling unprepared and unsure, we knew something had to change.
So, we built something new.
Our online training platform, powered by Kajabi, was created to offer real-world, CPD-accredited courses that actually prepare you for the job.
These aren’t theory-heavy, one-size-fits-all trainings. These are practical, experience-led, accessible courses made by people who live and breathe this work every day.
Our CPD-accredited online courses include:
✅ Becoming a Professional CSW – for those starting out or feeling unsure about what’s expected
✅ How to: Handle Nerves and Build Confidence – because imposter syndrome is real
✅ How to: Notetaking for CSWs – essential training that’s usually skipped
✅ How to: Self-Employment for R/TSLIs – guidance on tax, invoicing, and going solo
All our courses are:
💻 Online
📚 Self-paced
✔️ Practical
✨ And now—award-winning
Why summer is the perfect time to upskill
With the academic year wrapping up and September just around the corner, there’s no better time to invest in yourself. Whether you’re looking for:
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A career change
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Flexible work that fits around family life
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Or a way to finally feel confident in the role you're already doing
These courses are built to support you on your journey.
A note from Rachel:
“We created these courses because we saw people falling through the gaps. They had the passion and the skills, but not the confidence, the context, or the professional tools. Now we’re building a future where CSWs are not only trained, but empowered.”– Rachel Hubbard, Director of Deaf Umbrella Ltd
Join the growing number of women transforming their careers
Most of our learners are women between 30 and 50 years old, many of whom are returning to work, changing direction, or looking for something more meaningful.
If that sounds like you… You're in the right place.
Ready to take the next step?
Enrol today and start building a future where you feel skilled, supported, and proud of the difference you make.
👉 Explore our award-winning courses now
#IndependentEducatorOfTheYear #CPDTraining #CSWcourses #CareerConfidence #BSLsupport #DeafAwareness #OnlineLearning #WomenInEducation
