A SCHOOL technician from Broadstone has won a regional award for giving up his time to break down deaf communication barriers.

British Sign Language student Jon Hickman came first in the regional heat in the Signature Annual Awards scheme, and now progresses to the final of the Learner of the Year award in London on November 12.

The 26-year-old has been recognised for encouraging his fellow students to get involved in workshops to improve their skills, and achieving 100 per cent in the deaf and deafblind awareness course at Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Association.

With his newly learnt skills, Jon spent the summer volunteering as a guide on a Sense deafblind holiday.

Signature chief executive Jim Edwards said: “Jon has shown generosity of spirit and commitment.”