DEAF businesswoman Ruthy Fletcher is urging people not to let anything stand in the way of their dreams — after she graduated from the University of Bolton at the tender age of 52.

Miss Fletcher, who is profoundly deaf, never thought she would follow in the footsteps of her family and graduate from university, donning a cap and gown.

But after meeting Bolton graduate who was also deaf, the 52-year-old from Horwich soon found herself at a University of Bolton open day and signed up to a two-year, part-time Professional Diploma in Education course.

Now Miss Fletcher, who celebrated graduating in the summer, believes her training business, Support the Deaf People, is blossoming thanks to the skills she has learned on the course.

“It’s not always been easy,” said Miss Fletcher who is a deaf awareness trainer and coordinator. “For the first three months, I struggled with the coursework but I had the language support team to help me out, to help make everything clear to me and what was expected of me began to fall into place.”

She was soon making headway and achieved distinctions on all eight of her observed work placements.

Miss FIetcher said: “I never thought I would get to wear the ‘cap and gown’.

“It really has been a dream come true for me to graduate.”

Miss Fletcher credits the university’s disability service team with supporting her success. The team ensured she always had what she needed, whether that be an interpreter or note taker.

She said: “I would urge any deaf students to go to university, especially Bolton, as I am sure the disability service there does everything it can to support you.”

Miss Fletcher’s business works with the hotel industry, training hotel staff to better support deaf and hard of hearing guests.

She said:”There are more than 10 million people in the UK with a hearing loss and very few hotels that can fully accommodate their guests and hard of hearing guests.

“Throughout the training I teach basic signing fitting for a hotel establishment, enabling staff to communicate effectively and confidently with their deaf guests.

“The health and safety aspects that surround a person with hearing loss are rarely discussed but with a little foresight and assistance they can easily be resolved.”