Son interpreting for deaf mum calls for support

15 hours ago

James GrantNorthamptonshire

Peter Moone (right) has acted as a British Sign Language interpreter for his mother, Maureen (left), since he was eight

Peter Moone A woman in a blue puffer jacket and jeans sits on a wooden bench. Next to her is a man in a navy coat, a white jumper and grey jeans. They are looking at the camera and on the left hand side are lots of flowers. — Peter Moone (right) has acted as a British Sign Language interpreter for his mother, Maureen (left), since he was eight

A man who interprets for his deaf mother has called on the council to provide more specialist support.

Peter Moone, from Northampton, said his 85-year-old mother, Maureen, has struggled to access suitable support from West Northamptonshire Council since the death of her husband in 2025.

He said British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters are not routinely available in care settings, making it difficult for her to communicate.

West Northamptonshire Council said it takes concerns about the standard, accessibility and provision of care services "extremely seriously" and addresses them through its established investigation processes.

Speaking to Annabel Amos on BBC Northampton, Moone said: "I reached out to West Northamptonshire Council... they said we don't have any specialist deaf care providers.

"[The council] are just not listening; if you'll excuse the pun, it's falling on deaf ears. The only avenue I have... is a young trainee social worker who calls me and ...I've put in three complaints, and I've only had one response saying, 'Yes, we could do better'."

Peter Moone's mother Maureen (left) was born deaf and never learned to read or write

Peter Moone An old photo of a woman in glasses holding a baby boy in a red top. — Peter Moone's mother Maureen (left) was born deaf and never learned to read or write

The 49-year-old said his mother, who was born deaf, cannot read or write because of the limited education available to deaf children when she attended school in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

He said he has interpreted for both of his deaf parents since he was eight and believes relatives are still too often expected to act as interpreters during medical appointments.

He continued: "In this day and age, lots of surgeries, hospitals, companies, especially West Northamptonshire Council, seem to think: 'Do you have a family member who can sign for you?'

"[That's] regardless of conflict of interest, regardless of traumatic experience they may be feeling, 'can you bring someone along who can sign.' It's not professional, and it's certainly not suitable. It's very, very difficult."

'Trying their best'

Moone said he suggested specialist provider RJ Care, based in Peterborough, after approaching the council for support with his mum.

The company cared for her from August 2025 while funding was considered, but he said the council later informed the family it could not continue paying because of budget pressures, leaving her facing a bill of about £3,500.

One of the county's main deaf charities, Deafconnect, which provided support, education and advocacy for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, closed in July.

"For a lot of the older generation of deaf people, they struggle. There are pockets of organisations trying their best with minimal funding. West Northamptonshire Council has a lot to answer for," Moone added.

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