Our Story – The Mission Behind BSL Search | BSL Search

Our Story

Discover the story behind BSL Search. Learn how our mission began, why we’re passionate about British Sign Language education, and how we aim to support learners through clear videos, grammar tools, and accessible resources.

Building a Better Way to Learn British Sign Language

BSL Search was founded in 2025 in the North East with a clear mission — to make learning British Sign Language (BSL) accessible, enjoyable, and high-quality for everyone. We’re passionate about building a modern BSL education platform that supports learners of all ages and skill levels. Our expanding library of over 2,000 BSL videos helps people explore sign language in a clear and engaging way, supported by features that make learning simple and interactive. Just like an English dictionary that evolves with new words and meanings, we continually update our platform with new BSL videos, signs, and contexts — keeping learning fresh and relevant.

At BSL Search, we believe language connects people. Our mission is to break barriers, build understanding, and create equal opportunities for Deaf and hearing communities alike.

Meet the Team Behind BSL Search

Matt Lannigan

Matt Lannigan

Founder & Software Development

My background and experience have always been rooted in the tech world, learning and developing skills across different roles. One of my longest-standing roles has been in software development, and I’ve always been passionate about supporting and promoting Deaf businesses. I created BSL Search to help achieve that goal, and my responsibility is to oversee the entire platform, including development, strategy, and system maintenance.

Brett Hanratty

Brett Hanratty

Co-Founder & Community Engagement Lead

I hold a recognised teaching qualification and have been a British Sign Language teacher for over 30 years. Throughout my career, I have taught learners at every level — from Level 1 beginners through to advanced Level 6 students — supporting both Deaf and hearing individuals in their BSL journey. My passion has always been to make high-quality BSL education accessible to everyone. I helped create BSL Search to offer a modern, reliable digital learning platform with clear resources and structured support for people of all ages and abilities.