Entrepreneur Rachel Barber is the founder of Living4Moments, a training and consultancy business dedicated to making organisations more inclusive by removing barriers for staff and customers. Through bespoke workshops and consultancy, Rachel delivers training in Deaf Awareness, Disability Awareness, Inclusion, Dementia Awareness, and Lipreading.
Her unique approach blends professional expertise with lived experience, showing organisations not only the social value but also the economic benefit of building inclusive workplaces and communities. From health and social care to tourism, local government, education, and hospitality, Living4Moments is equipping sectors with the tools to create spaces where everyone can thrive.
Most recently, Rachel has expanded her offer to include lipreading classes, a life skill with the power to substantially reduce isolation for people experiencing hearing loss. The first 10-week course launches in York in September 2025, hosted at MySight York.
Rachel’s Journey
Rachel graduated from the University of York in 1993 with an Honours degree in Psychology. Since then, she has gained a PGCE, MBA, ILM-accredited coaching training, and specialist training in teaching lipreading.
Her career has always been centred on people, empowerment, and inclusion. She began in education and care, later working across sectors including health, social care, and business consultancy. These roles built her expertise in training, auditing, and leadership while deepening her understanding of how barriers impact opportunity.
Rachel’s lived experience of profound hearing loss has been a defining part of her journey. It has not only shaped her resilience but also given her a mission: to demonstrate that inclusion is possible, practical, and profitable.
Overcoming Challenges
Rachel’s hardest challenge has been transforming her own hearing loss into a professional strength. Communication barriers, prejudice, and assumptions about her ability to deliver training were hurdles she faced repeatedly. She overcame them by developing strong lipreading strategies, investing in adaptive technology, and proving the quality of her delivery. The consistent, outstanding feedback from clients remains the best answer to any doubts.
Networking and business development were also made harder by hearing loss, as many opportunities rely on fast-paced communication. On top of this, Rachel had to rebuild her professional identity after leaving employment in 2019 due to further loss of hearing. But these experiences fuelled her determination to challenge stereotypes and showcase the potential of inclusion-led businesses.