Glenn Faeroy: Being deaf hasn’t stopped me from volunteering at the Olympics! (BSL)

Hi everyone I am Glenn Faeroy. I am 52 years old, from Redditch near Birmingham and I’m involved in various projects as a volunteer and activist. I firmly believe in deaf equality and accessibility for all.

I am severely to profoundly deaf and a hearing aid user. My preferred method of communication is sign language where possible as my hearing has deteriorated since contracting Covid, yet as my hearing got worse throughout the years I have become used to using sign language with voice. I lipread mostly when I am around hearing people, which can be very taxing, hence why I always fight for equality and accessibility.

When I was very young – probably around 8 years old – I first started helping others and volunteering in the community and I have continued this throughout my life.

This is because I have a strong sense of community. I also have a strong sense of helping other people who are suffering or feeling isolated. I believe in bringing companionship and kindness and hope.

As well as this I have always loved sport and I’ve always been involved in sport from the moment I could walk. I have done sports in all their many different forms. Growing up, I’ve always been very, very good at sport too.

As for the Olympics, I have watched the Olympics and para Olympics since 1976 and I have never ever missed watching an Olympic game.

The Olympics has a special place in my heart and to have the honour of being involved, I feel incredibly privileged to be part of it. It is an amazing experience.

In my voluntary role I work with many different athletes for many different countries and teams including the UK Team GB.  I have an excellent relationship with all of the athletes in so many different sports.

Applying to volunteer at the Olympics was extremely complex! It was so very difficult and not straightforward at all. As someone who is dyslexic I particularly struggled with this, and as a deaf person I have also struggled with the access as the support offered is in international sign language.

As I don’t use that, it is difficult. Here in Paris I have no access to BSL interpreters only INS – those who use International Sign.

This was made clear in my application and it was up to me to either accept that or withdraw my application. I chose not to withdraw my application and continue regardless of the hurdles I’m going to be facing because opportunities like this are rare.

My voluntary role has two aspects to it. The first aspect to the role is acting as a chaperone. The second aspect to the role is anti doping!

So I will be going to each venue such as the Olympic village main stadium and smaller stadiums and for each person selected I will go and pick them up and Chaperone them to the designated areas.

As an Anti-doping officer I will inform them of their rights and their responsibilities. I will then take them to the areas that are designated and I will not leave their side for anything – I have to stay with them  – until those tests have been completed. (Note: I don’t do the blood tests or urine tests for the individuals myself!)

I feel extremely excited about it all. As I say, I’ve watched the Olympics since 1976 and always wanted to be part of it is so to get the opportunity – especially as this is the 100 years celebration in Paris it is an honour and such a privilege. As a huge sports fan and someone who does sports regularly I am glad to be here in Paris.

This year I’ve volunteered at 24 to 28 different sports events, both local and international championships tournaments! I will definitely be doing more volunteering in sports as I feel Deaf representation matters and especially at International events like this.

I hope that other deaf people will see examples of this in the community and say ‘I can do that as well – I can volunteer!’

Looking forwards I have my name down for the international 2028 -2032 Olympic Games, the Rhine-Ruhr Summer Games 2025, the Commonwealth Games 2025/2 and the Invictus games 2025/26 to name just a few.

And that’s not accounting for the national and international events in the UK tournaments and championships that I do as well.

Being deaf need not stop you from being involved in large events, whether you’re interested in being a athlete or a volunteer. It is an amazing and extremely rewarding experience, with lots of opportunities for you to try.

Volunteering gives me a massive sense of pride. I have further aspirations to dream big and aim high. Why not give volunteering a go, you won’t regret it!

By Glenn Faeroy