Georgia to bring Christmas concert to life for deaf community

A MEMBER of Ripon Grammar School staff is putting her British Sign Language (BSL) skills centre stage this Christmas, helping to make Harrogate’s Mayor’s Christmas Concert accessible to the deaf community.

Georgia Wilbor will be the sole BSL interpreter at this year’s concert, held at Harrogate’s Royal Hall, where she will interpret the carols and readings into sign language from the stage.

Georgia, a special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistant, studied BSL at university, graduating with a Level 3 qualification in 2019. She began signing songs during her third year and has since developed a particular love of bringing music to life through sign language.

She has also regularly used her skills to communicate with a deaf friend and, before joining Ripon Grammar School, put her BSL knowledge to good use in a variety of roles.

While working in childcare, Georgia used signing in baby rooms to encourage early communication, while her deaf awareness knowledge also helped her support enquiries from prospective deaf students during her time working for a local driving school.

Now she is looking forward to combining her passion for music and BSL at the festive concert.

“I love signing songs, but Christmas songs are my absolute favourite to sign!” she said.

Georgia’s involvement will help ensure that deaf concertgoers can share in the Christmas celebrations, making the occasion more inclusive and accessible.