What Deaf Empowering Network does

Deaf Empowering Network (DEN) is a deaf-led registered charity operating as a trading name of RareRockets NE Ltd. (Company No. 13349398, Charity No. 1198138), headquartered at The Work Place, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Founded by Craig Jones in 2019 as Rare Rockets — an evolution of CJ Interpreting — the organization rebranded to DEN in June 2023. It delivers an integrated portfolio of British Sign Language (BSL) services: professional BSL interpreting, lipspeakers, translators, notetakers, and speech-to-text reporters; Signature-regulated BSL courses (Levels 1, 2, 3) for individuals and bespoke industry-specific BSL training for business clients; deaf awareness training; and community outreach support work. With 8 employees located across Newton Aycliffe and Stockton-on-Tees, the organization serves deaf individuals, individual learners, businesses, and public-sector institutions primarily across North East England. Disclosed customers include NHS Trusts (multi-year relationship), Durham University, James Cook University Hospital, Cummins, Redcar & Cleveland, Hartlepool Deaf Centre, and Endeavour Woodwork.

The underlying technology stack is conventional and lightly assembled: a WordPress/Elementor website with PayPal payment processing, Google Classroom integration for course material delivery, and Zoom for remote synchronous training alongside in-person and on-site delivery at client premises or partner locations such as Durham University. Pricing follows a unit-based model with non-refundable deposits, optional installment plans, and CPD accreditation points attached to each course (e.g., 18 CPD points for a six-week course; 2–3 points for shorter awareness sessions); VAT-inclusive. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer self-serve booking via website and telephone (across separate interpreting, community, and training lines), direct B2B field sales for enterprise training cohorts of 10+, and partner-channel delivery through Durham University and Anchoreach CIC.

Revenue is generated primarily through professional services fees across four streams — BSL interpreting (including NHS contracts), BSL training (individuals and business), community outreach, and donations/fundraising — with no external institutional investment or funding rounds disclosed. Customer acquisition is supported by organic social presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube, plus email newsletters and client testimonials. The 2022 Newcomer of the Year nomination and 100% NHS fulfilment rate during COVID-19 are cited as trust signals in a competitive UK specialist services market.

Name

Deaf Empowering Network

Legal name

RareRockets NE Ltd.

Website

https://deafemp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Deaf-led UK registered charity providing BSL interpreting, BSL training, and community outreach services to deaf individuals, businesses, and public sector clients across North East England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deaf Support Services

NAICS

Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Sign language interpreting
• BSL courses
• Deaf awareness training
• Community outreach services
• Deaf support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton Aycliffe

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. BSL Interpreting Services: Professional British Sign Language interpreting services for appointments, meetings, healthcare settings, and events. Provides 100% fulfilment rate for NHS clients with short-notice booking capabilities.
2. BSL Training for Business: Bespoke British Sign Language training for organisations with groups of 10+ participants. Includes industry-specific terminology and integrated deaf awareness sessions. CPD accredited certifications.
3. BSL Courses for Individuals: Signature-regulated BSL courses (Level 1, 2, 3) for individual learners. Delivered via Zoom or in-person with deposit and installment payment options. National recognised qualifications.
4. Community Outreach Services: Specialist support services for deaf clients including personal assistance, communication support, and advocacy. Services span social care, health, and personal requirements.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations, legacy donations, and community fundraising activities supporting the deaf community services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Deaf Empowering Network is a deaf-led charity delivering British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting services, Signature-regulated BSL courses (Levels 1-3) for individuals, bespoke BSL and deaf awareness training for businesses, and community outreach support for deaf clients. Services include provision of BSL interpreters, lipspeakers, translators, notetakers and speech-to-text reporters, alongside CPD-accredited training programmes and holistic personal assistance support for the deaf community in North East England.

Product overview

Deaf Empowering Network (DEN) is a deaf-led charity offering a unified suite of communication and support services for the deaf and hearing communities. The core offering comprises BSL Interpreting Services (including interpreters, lipspeakers, translators, notetakers, and speech to text reporters), complemented by a Training Division delivering BSL courses at multiple levels (Levels 1, 2, 3) and Deaf Awareness Training for both businesses and individuals. Community Outreach Services provides holistic support to deaf clients. The company operates as a single integrated service portfolio, with interpreting and training as the primary revenue streams supported by fundraising activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% fulfilment rate for NHS appointments during COVID-19 pandemic with short notice bookings
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Durham UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery of BSL Level 1, 2, and 3 courses to university students. Partnership includes digital deaf training programmes and ongoing course delivery with native deaf BSL teachers.
• Anchoreach CICminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffice space partnership in Stockton-on-Tees location, providing community outreach services in the Teesside area.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@deafempoweringnetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/DeafEmpoweringNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deaf-empowering-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/deafempoweringnetwork
• TikToktiktok.com/@deafempoweringnetwork

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deaf Empowering Network