A FORMER teacher of the deaf from Truro has been shortlisted for an award by national disability charity Sense in recognition of her volunteering efforts.

Sarah Wardle, 62, volunteered to support disabled adults with complex needs on holiday in the Lake District. She was praised for her skills and compassion, and is now up for Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Sense awards.

Sarah, who now works as a personal assistant and care-in-the-home support worker, was born deaf and communicates through a combination of BSL, speech and lipreading. As a teacher of the deaf, she was aware of Sense’s work, and after retiring from teaching volunteered as a way of keeping involved with the wider deaf community.

Sarah joined a Sense activity holiday in the Lake District, supporting attendees with a range of communication needs. Her skills enabled her to communicate with a participant in BSL, and to adapt to communicate in tactile sign language with two deafblind attendees.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d been nominated for a Sense award,” said Sarah. “I’m passionate about being able to support the deaf community, and I’m happy to have had the chance with Sense to do this.

“Being on a Sense Holiday was amazing; it was such a warm, welcoming atmosphere but the people definitely kept me on my toes!”

Sense holidays coordinator Lauren Heath said: “I was delighted to find out Sarah has been shortlisted for this award - she really deserves it. We are incredibly lucky to have a Sense volunteer with such skills and compassion, and someone who truly embeds the ethos of wanting to make the world as accessible and inclusive as possible.”

The awards shortlist was judged by a panel led by TV personality Tasha Ghouri. Sense will reveal the winners on its social media channels in the week beginning November 24.