About Us - CoSign

Lucy Cotton
Interpreter (RSLI)
Sarah Gardner
Interpreter (RSLI)
Rachel Grace
BSL Communicator
Martyn Kenyon
BSL Performer & Translator
Carol Kyle
Director & Interpreter (RSLI)
Becci Kyle
Coordinator
Kay McCrea
Interpreter (RSLI)
Jenny Naylor
Interpreter (RSLI)
Annie Walpole
Interpreter (RSLI)
Lesley Davidson
Linguistic Consultant/Mentor

Lucy Cotton – Interpreter (RSLI)

Hi my name is Lucy Cotton and as you can see from the video, my sign name is Lucy. I’ve been Interpreting for quite some time now, becoming a registered qualified interpreter in 2007 and joined CoSign in 2009. Prior to that I had 2 different jobs, this first supporting Deaf children; taking them out on trips and I thoroughly enjoyed that job. My second job was with a different Deaf organisation as an Interpreting coordinator manager, dealing with interpreter bookings. I enjoyed that but in 2010 decided to become a freelance interpreter – which is where I am now – thanks.

Sarah Gardner – Interpreter (RSLI)

Hello, my name is Sarah Gardner and this is my sign (nick) name. I’ve been interpreting for a number of years, and became a fully Qualifed registered Interpreter in 2012. I interpret in a variety of settings including: education, employment, doing training courses, meetings, medical appointments, conferences, festivals and music events . A while ago I joined CoSign and I primarily focus on festivals and music events. I really enjoy them because I love music and I love sign language interpreting and this gives me the opportunity to combined both those 2 loves. Thanks very much, Bye

Rachel Grace – BSL Communicator

Hi my name’s Rachel Grace and I’ve lived in England for the last 202 years, prior to that I was born and raised in Dublin Ireland and I brought my sign name with me which I’m very proud of. During my time here I’ve worked in a number of mental health settings working, with people with challenging behaviour people, who are DeafBlind and I’m accustomed to using DeafBlind manual, block and hands on and adapting my ways of signing to meet their individual needs. I’ve really enjoyed my job thank you.

Martyn Kenyon – BSL Performer & Translator

Hi everyone my name is Martin I’ve been profoundly Deaf from being young and the only deaf member in a hearing family. My huge passion is music, I love listening to songs and I thoroughly enjoy translating the songs into sign language to the extent that I’ve now become a professional Deaf performer, performing at various events I’ve been on stage, at weddings and gigs and hopefully I’ll see you at various events soon. Bye!

Carol Kyle – Director & Interpreter (RSLI)

Hello my name is Carol Kyle and as you can see from the video my sign name is Carol, I am the Director of CoSign. Having Deaf parents means I have grown up in the Deaf community. I have worked as an interpreter since 1989 – a long time I know! I began working for Lancashire County Council and stayed there for 10 years until I decided to become a freelance interpreter. I have worked with CoSign since it was set up in 1996 and became its Director in 2015. Bye!

Becci Kyle – Interpreting Service Coordinator

Hello my name is Becci Kyle I’m not an interpreter. I work as the Interpreting service Coordinator so I will deal with all your enquires, booking requests and provide interpreters. I left university last year after gaining a first class honours degree in teaching; however I was keen to work within the Deaf community and welcomed the opportunity to join the CoSign team. As you may have guessed from my last name- I’m Carol’s daughter.

Kay McCrea – Interpreter (RSLI)

Hi I’m Kay McCrea. I used to work as a social worker in Blackpool and Lancaster for approximately 5 years. I then left to become an Interpreter and began working at Deafway. Following that I went on to work at a University and remained there for over 14 years, thoroughly enjoying my work supporting Deaf students. I left to become a freelance Interpreter, joining CoSign in 2010/11, have been there ever since and enjoy my work. In my free time I have lots of hobbies including crafts and walking – that’s me!

Jenny Naylor – Interpreter (RSLI)

Hello my name is Jenny Naylor I don’t have a sign name at the moment, maybe you can give me one later? We’ll have to see. I started learning sign language a long time ago in 2003 because my daughter was born profoundly deaf so I started learning level 1, carried on to level 2 hello I really love the language so it decided to carry on to Level 3 I also did deaf studies degree at Uclan in Preston parallel, to this I worked as a communication support worker csw. I worked with primary school children signing and helped support them in class. I worked in high schools in Blackpool and then I moved on to colleges and when I became a trainee interpreter purple badge and interpreted at universities for university degree students I really loved the university degree and learned a lot and found it very interesting they I enjoyed meeting new people and supporting them at uni. A few years ago I became fully qualified yellow badge. I’m very proud of this now I work with CoSign. I really love working with CoSign as I love meeting Deaf people, I love community interpreting and I really enjoy my job. In my personal life I enjoy going to the Lake District visiting the area walking, going for boat trips and various things like that. I hope to see you soon. Thank you.

Annie Walpole – Interpreter (RSLI)

Hi my name is Annie Walpole and as you can see from the video, my sign name is Annie. I started working with Deaf people back in 1994 where I worked in a residential unit for adults with mental health issues at Deafway in Preston. I moved on to become a registered Interpreter where I started working with CoSign part time. I was also working for Lancashire police at the same time in the communication room, dealing with emergency calls. I went on to become qualified in 2008. I look forward to meeting you soon. Goodbye.

Lesley Davidson – Linguistic Consultant/Mentor

Hi my name’s Leslie Davidson, I’ve had extensive experience with over 30 years of teaching BSL; linguistics; Deaf awareness; Deaf culture a variety of other issues. I’ve also trained the trainers so Deaf people can go on to become BSL teachers themselves. At Durham University, I became qualified as a teacher in my own right and also as a trainer of people who want to become BSL teachers. I’ve lectured interpreters at MA levels so have a vast range of experience. I’m involved with the organisation to provide support to interpreters who maybe aren’t quite sure of specific signs or have dilemmas that they don’t want to ask a hearing person/manager about, they can come to a Deaf person, I’m here to offer support, not to criticise, I’m aware it can be a very lonely profession. I am able to offer a Deaf perspective, so have a wide range of experiences they can tap into. I’m here to support the interpreters and they know if they need any help they can contact me and I can provide independent support.

Lucy Cotton

Sarah Gardner

Rachel Grace

Martyn Kenyon

Carol Kyle

Becci Kyle

Kay McCrea

Jenny Naylor

Annie Walpole

Lesley Davidson