'Lip reading is my superpower', says CiN choirgirl

An eight-year-old schoolgirl has been chosen to join the BBC Children in Need Choir, which will perform live to the nation as part of this year's annual fundraising event.

Josephine, from Luton, was born deaf, but she was also born to sing.

She has been supported by the Phoenix Group for Deaf Children in Stevenage, a charity that provides opportunities and activities across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire – and benefits from Children in Need funding.

Josephine says the charity has really helped her confidence, adding: "I used to feel shy and scared, but not anymore after being with other people who are deaf like me."

Josephine has worn hearing aids since she was just 12 weeks old.

Her mother Gemma enrolled her into a deaf school, but realised her speech was not developing, so switched her to mainstream education.

Finding the Phoenix group, she said, was also a big help.

"Sometimes she struggles at school and feels she's falling behind, but at Phoenix all of that disappears," Gemma told the BBC.

"She's just happy in her own skin, and being the person she is."

Josephine's father Charley is also deaf. He said that he felt he did not fit in or belong anywhere growing up.

Gemma says they wanted to find a place for Josephine where she would not feel isolated.

"There used to be a deaf club in Luton but that closed some time ago," she said.

"Just being with other children with hearing aids is gradually making her more confident."

The Phoenix Group organises trips for the children and provides sign language interpreters. They recently visited Royston Fire Station to learn about fire safety - and Josephine got to sit in the engine cab and try on a uniform.

Jodie Laing, from the group, says it is about providing access and opportunities they would not normally have.

"Sign language interpreters can be expensive for parents, but we have our own for days out like this," Laing added.

"It's about making the children feel more comfortable, helping them know they are not alone in the world."

The song for the Chidren in Need Choir this year is Stargazing, by Myles Smith, who is also from Luton, and Josephine is a fan.

"I just want to sing, but I also want to be a sign language teacher - it's a superpower," Josephine said.

"There are other people who may be deaf like me but you can't stop them from doing what they want to do."