Manager brings sign language skill to new role

The new manager of a Rochdale travel agent has brought an extraordinary skill to his new role - he is fluent in sign language.

Michael McCaw took charge of The Co-operative Travel on Yorkshire Street in May. He previously spent six years teaching children who were deaf and hard of hearing and he has grade two sign language skills.

Mr McCaw, said: “Before I was able to offer this service the branch did have a number of deaf customers, but staff had to spend a lot of time writing things down.

“Whereas now, with sign language, they don’t have to worry about anything other than the excitement of booking a holiday.”

Teresa Nutall, a customer of the branch who is deaf, said: “It’s been so much easier booking a holiday with Michael.

“We can ask questions about different places and get advice whereas before we would have to decide where we were going without really having any information about the destinations.

“We were really shocked when Michael started signing to us in the shop - you don't get that very often.”