Klara Downes

Personal Profile: I was born deaf, which has made me more driven to succeed to show that people with disability can be successful in life. I have won two Jack Petchey awards: one for helping children with disabilities, the other for being a role mode. I have participated in GirlGuiding from the age of 5 to 18 and may be volunteering in the future. Regarding volunteering, I have volunteered at Citizens Advice Bureau and will potentially do more in the future. I have also gained work experience at a Solicitor’s firm. All of this has given me life skills, and skills that will and have proven useful, such as communication, teamwork, and an understanding in what it is like to work in a legal environment. I am someone who is dedicated in my work and and willing to find any opportunity that is available. I will apply all knowledge that I can to the environment, and am willing to get started quickly. I am Level 2 BSL (British Sigh Language) qualified, and will continue to go up in qualifications, to be of more assistance to deaf clients.

I am now at University, studying Law undergraduate LLB Hons, and I am doing this course for 3 years. I have so far learnt, research skills and have developed my skill on time management. I am looking forward to developing and gaining more skills.

• Reading, 09/01/09, Present, This includes books and magazines. The magazines are crime related and some of the cases were used for A level, with permission from the teachers. Reading helps with developing skills, and so it is useful.
• GirlGuiding, 09/01/10, 2023, I have learnt life skills and have had many conversations about what is happening in the world. We did many activities that require teamwork.
• History, 09/01/13, Present, History has been an interest for as long as I can remember. An example is Spain. I went on holiday, and visited a museum and discovered another place that I want to visit in the future. I did study it at A Level, and, although I didn’t particularly enjoy the topics under it, I enjoyed learning how the world has somewhat evolved.
• Criminology and Law based TV, 04/01/20, Present, During Covid – 19, as a family, we watched a programme ‘Bones’, and since then, I have been fascinated in anything that is related to crime. That is what started my route to law, and I have continued to watch these things, and other related programmes, especially when it starts a debate amongst us. We have debated about many issues that have arisen from these crimes.

• Reading
• GirlGuiding
• History
• Watching anything based on Criminology and Law