About LET

The Leslie Edwards Trust (LET)

The Leslie Edwards Trust was founded in 2010 to provide essential services to the hearing impaired in Loughborough, and to honour the legacy of Leslie Edwards, a passionate advocate for the hard of hearing. Leslie dedicated his life to supporting individuals facing the challenges of hearing loss, believing that everyone deserves to be heard and understood.

Who Was Leslie Edwards?

Leslie was not only a remarkable individual but also a beacon of hope for many in the East Midlands. He experienced hearing loss himself and understood firsthand the barriers it can create in everyday life. Rather than allowing his own challenges to define him, he used his experiences to inspire others. Leslie was known for his warm smile, unwavering determination, and commitment to fostering inclusivity within the community.

Why We Carry His Name

The Leslie Edwards Trust is named in his honour to reflect his values and vision. Our mission is to promote social inclusion for hearing-impaired individuals and their families, ensuring that they feel supported, connected, and empowered. Leslie’s legacy lives on through our programs and initiatives, as we continue to advocate for those navigating hearing loss.

(If you would like to learn more about Leslie Edwards, please click here)

Our Commitment

At LET, we are dedicated to:

Empowerment: Providing tools and resources that help individuals build confidence in their communication skills.
Community: Creating a supportive environment where people of all ages can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Awareness: Raising awareness about hearing loss and its impact, while advocating for better accessibility and inclusion.

meet the team

Trustee: Sarah Symons- Chair

I have been involved with the Deaf community and learning BSL for 4 years. I am passionate about inclusivity and helping people feel seen and heard and less alone.

When the opportunity came up to support the work of LET through being the Chairperson, I saw it as a wonderful privilege to further support people with hearing loss.

I had met Carrie though a local BSL cafe and I knew how instrumental lipreading had been in her life and knew how passionate she is to continue the work of LET and make more provision for people with hearing loss.

The opportunity to help support her and the rest of the committee to achieve these aims of investing in and supporting people with hearing loss with new communication skills to help them feel more empowered and connected is a joy.

Trustee: Carrie Short- Secretary and Tutor

I have suffered from hearing loss since my teens, after repeated ear infections and cholesteatomas. However, like most people I lived most of my life in denial- relying on others to help me navigate the world. When I was 33, my husband died suddenly and I was forced to confront the reality of how bad my hearing loss had become. I struggled to function in a hearing world, and I became depressed and isolated.

Finding LET literally changed my life. They enabled me to socialise again, and provided me with the tools and skills to manage my hearing loss. Through them I even got myself hearing aids- pretty pink ones that are so small these days they are unnoticeable by most!

I became a trustee to help others the way that I was helped, and to share information about hearing loss that is difficult to find. Especially when you are a younger age. I want people to know that having hearing loss isn't a bad thing, I embrace it now and I love who I am!

Emma Ford- Tutor/ Committee Member

I was inspired to become a lipreading tutor through my own experience as a lipreading learner with LET’s online classes. After training at City Lit London, I became a fully qualified lipreading tutor in 2025, and I now teach both face-to-face classes in Redditch and online classes with LET.
Being hard of hearing since childhood, I have worn Baha’s most of my life and lipread without realising it. However, 3 years ago, I experienced a sudden drop in my hearing, which made life extremely difficult. Especially being a mum who was also just heading back into my career as an inclusive dance leader.

I understand first-hand how challenging hearing loss can be, especially when life changes unexpectedly. My own journey showed me the value of lipreading classes—not only for developing practical lipreading skills, but also for connecting with others who share similar experiences.

I am passionate about helping people feel more confident, supported and included in everyday life. I believe everyone has the right to take part fully, and I am committed to giving learners useful tools in a welcoming and understanding environment.

In my free time I like to go on walks, spend time with family and take on random adventures.

Sharon Clark-Monks: - Tutor/ Committee Member

I am a qualified teacher with experience working in therapeutic education settings, supporting learners with a range of needs, including trauma, social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), neurodiversity, and communication challenges. Having grown up with a father who is deaf in one ear, I have been aware of communication barriers from a young age and understand how easily people can feel excluded. This has shaped my passion for inclusivity and my belief that everyone deserves to feel valued and understood.

I currently work for ASDAN, an awarding organisation and charity that champions personal development, employability, and inclusive education, ensuring learners of all abilities can achieve and progress.

After joining lipreading classes and learning that the tutor hopes to retire in the near future, I decided to complete the Lipreading Teacher Training course so that I could support the Leslie Edwards Trust in ensuring these vital classes can continue and, where possible, expand to reach more people.

I have also studied British Sign Language to Level 3, further strengthening my commitment to accessible communication and inclusive practice. I am excited to use my teaching experience, training, and passion for communication to help others develop confidence, independence, and meaningful connections through lipreading.

Sue Howell- Minute Taker/ Committee Member

For the past 30 years I have lived in Birstall, Leicester with my husband Mostyn. Since 2008 I have been working at the University of Leicester as a PA/College Administrator.

My hearing was affected after contracting Meningitis in 2021 and as result I decided to attend the Birstall lip reading group run by Jenny Cluley. This class not only allowed me to attempt to learn some lip reading but it also enabled me to socially interact with other people who were suffering from other hearing related problems.

As a result of attending the classes I volunteered to join the Leslie Edwards Trust Committee as the minute taker in 2022.

Paul Siddals- Committee Member

Whilst my hearing was perfect when young, age related hearing loss meant that it slowly declined in my sixties. Specsavers provided me with excellent hearing aids that went a long way towards restoring my hearing. However in my 70s a virus attacked one of my auditory nerves and I suddenly lost all hearing in my right ear. New hearing aids somewhat mitigated this but I still had great difficulty in social settings and noisy environments.

Consequently I started lip reading classes and although I find it challenging, it can be helpful understanding what is being said, and the social interactions with the group also provide help and support. The 2 hour classes are extremely well lead and always interesting and informative. They are expensive to run and few of the participants could afford the full price, so I felt that it was important to join the trustees so that funding could be obtained for the continuation of the classes.

Chrisi Rouse- Committee Member

I live in Desford, Leicestershire, and I am a retired infant teacher. I have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. I love animals and enjoy gardening and knitting, when I'm not looking after my grandchildren.

I support LET because they help provide lipreading and communication skills classes in Leicestershire to help the hard of hearing, like myself.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite you to be part of our mission. Together, we can honour Leslie’s legacy by ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Whether you’re seeking support, looking to volunteer, or wishing to contribute, there’s a place for you in our community.