Pioneering Training Programme for Deaf Heritage Guides

Deaf trainees have celebrated the completion of a pioneering British Sign Language heritage tour guide programme, designed to help create a new generation of Deaf-led heritage experiences.

The programme was developed by Heritage Interpreters and City Lit in partnership with Blenheim Palace in response to growing demand for Deaf-led tours and a shortage of Deaf guides working across the heritage sector.

Blenheim funded and hosted the programme, while Heritage Interpreters and City Lit facilitated the training.

It follows four pilot Deaf-led BSL tours at Blenheim Palace during 2025 and 2026, which helped demonstrate the appetite for heritage experiences delivered directly in British Sign Language. 

Over three training days, participants developed practical skills including research, presenting heritage stories, tour-guiding techniques and developing their own Deaf-led tours.

The course culminated at Blenheim Palace, Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, when participants put their learning into practice through a final assessed tour presentation.

Each participant prepared a 10-minute presentation based on their chosen Palace room or subject, followed by questions from a Deaf tour group. Assessors considered their presentation of knowledge, guiding techniques, essential skills, timing and their response to questions. 

“At Blenheim, we want our history to be accessible to everyone,” said Heather Carter, Managing Director, Heritage Businesses at Blenheim Palace. 

“Supporting more Deaf people to develop the skills and confidence to tell heritage stories directly in British Sign Language is an important part of making that happen.

“Completing this first programme is something we should celebrate, but the bigger opportunity is where these new skills could lead next, both at Blenheim and across the wider heritage sector.”

The initiative builds upon Blenheim's existing provision of BSL interpreted tours while recognising the strong demand within the Deaf community for experiences led directly by Deaf guides. 

The ambition is now to build on the programme. Heritage Interpreters has reported further interest from members of the Deaf community, with future courses dependent on securing additional funding. The hope is also that participants will be able to build relationships with heritage organisations and access future career development and work-placement opportunities.

To find out more visit https://www.blenheimpalace.com/