TT2, the operator of the Tyne Tunnels, welcomed 10 students from Northern Counties School, part of the Percy Hedley Foundation, to its Wallsend offices for the session.
The pupils have already showcased their British Sign Language skills on a national stage, including appearances at the MOBO Awards, and even most recently performing at a school in New York.
During the visit, TT2 staff took part in an engaging session, rotating between students to learn how to sign their name, numbers and colours.
The theme for Deaf Awareness Week 2026, “Right to understand – together we break barriers”, highlights the challenges faced by Deaf and hard-of-hearing people and the importance of working together to create a more inclusive society.
Shaun Simmons, Chief Operating Officer at TT2 Limited said: “It was fantastic to welcome students from the Percy Hedley Foundation to TT2 to deliver British Sign Language sessions for our colleagues as part of Deaf Awareness Week.
“The sessions provided an opportunity for our teams to learn new skills and to better understand the importance of inclusive communication.
“We’re proud to support the brilliant work the Percy Hedley Foundation does and to play a small part in promoting greater awareness and inclusion.”
Mandy Davison, lead of Northern Counties’ Signing Choir and Higher Level Special Support Assistant at the Percy Hedley Foundation added:
“It means a great deal to us when an organisation like TT2 takes the time to learn about the Deaf community and how they can offer meaningful support.
“With it being Deaf Awareness Week, we want to encourage as many people as possible to think about their communication and how they can help Deaf people feel more included.
“Our learners had a fantastic time and really enjoyed putting staff to the test on what they’d been taught!”
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