Devon Communities Together’s Devon Diamonds are a recognition given to people who have achieved amazing things in their communities and Justine Smyth from Living Options Devon has been given this title.

The charity Devon Communities Together is in its 60th anniversary year and each week until March this year they’re sharing a story of the people they’ve recognised as a ‘Devon Diamond’. 

Justine is the Deaf-led services and training manager at Living Options Devon, and we are very pleased that she has been recognised as a Devon Diamond for her fantastic work with the Deaf communities. Justine was born Deaf and her parents were told not use to British Sign Language (BSL), they were told, she will be “just fine” and that was it. Today she is a qualified Deaf BSL Counsellor and she works with the Deaf communities across Devon. Justine has also managed many projects to break down barriers to communication so that the Deaf communities can access services that were difficult or impossible to do.

Congratulations Justine!