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Personal Safety DBS

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Here is a link to a great video from The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety working in conjunction with Deafblind Scotland.  The video aims to Teach you the Law regarding self-defence, Reasonable Use of Force and Safe Practical Self Defence Skills.  Hopefully this will increase your self confidence and decrease any anxiety you may have, and any fear you may have about being attacked.

Wake Up and Smell the Roses

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Wake Up and Smell The Roses
Over the next few weeks we will be publishing blogs from Deafblind Scotland members about life during lockdown. We hope you will enjoy, and we are delighted to issue the first blog by Issy, who has taken up gardening during lockdown.
“As someone who was born severely deaf and then went completely blind a number of years ago – one of the side-effects of all of this was that my garden had slowly turned into a jungle.
I didn’t realised how bad it had got until I actually got lost in it, lost in my own back garden how humiliating!
On several occasions I had to call on my retired guide dog and get her to guide me back to my gate or shout for my husband who would come and rescue me. So when lockdown came into being I realised I was going to be spending a lot more time getting lost in the garden and so I decided to do something about it.
Now I get lost in my own wee world of gardening and know that I can find my own way home”.

BDA Scotland Live Stream Show Thursday 02 July at 4pm

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BDA Scotland will have a live stream show on Thursday 02 July at 4pm. The show talks about Physical Well-being and is funded by Scottish Government Well-being Fund. The guests are Trudi Collier and Mitchell Graham.

Please join and discuss Physical Well-being with us, all in BSL. Click on the link to join the show, https://www.facebook.com/BritishDeafAssociation/posts/3589844451077850

Deafblind Awareness Week 2020 – Dare to Dream

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Deafblind Awareness Week 2020 – Dare to Dream

This year we are pulling out all the stops and celebrating Deafblind Awareness Week in a very unique way! The last couple of months have taught us to appreciate all we have and to think about others, #BeKind. Our focus this year is Dare To Dream. We want you to get involved and take up a new challenge – it’s your dream so you do what would make you happy #DareToDream.

Deafblind Scotland Ambassador, Gordon Smith will be launching our week long programme of activities for Deafblind Awareness week. People of all ages and abilities can get involved, so choose at least one challenge and support Deafblind Scotland in 2020! #DareToDream

The 7 for 7 challenge – set yourself the challenge of completing 7 activities in 7 days, sign up here. Whether you choose to walk, run or cycle, make Deafblind Awareness Week the week you will commit to completing 7 activities. Simply track your activities on your fitness tracker, or email us details of your acitivities and we will award you with a Deafblind Scotland pin badge, and a certificate to thank you for your achievements.

Red and White Week – Red and white are the colours of Deafblind Scotland. These are the colours on the cane which show that a person is deaf and blind. We would like to see you celebrating Deafblind Awareness Week by dressing in red and white. Please send your photos to our Facebook page @dbScotland and let’s celebrate great achievements and spread the word about Deafblind Scotland!

Deafblind Scotland Blindfolded Bake Off – We’ve all had lots of weeks perfecting our baking skills, so now is the time to test your skills by signing up for the Deafblind Scotland Blindfolded Bake-Off. All that’s required is a good sense of fun, and a blindfold! Create your best cake, we’ve found tray bakes or cookies to be best, perhaps even in our red and white colours, and submit your photos to our social media pages @dbscotland. A winner will be picked by Deafblind Scotland’s Chief Executive Isabella Goldie, and two of Deafblind Scotland’s cooking class students. You could even sell your fabulous bakes to raise money for Deafblind Scotland!

Dust off your football skills with our toilet roll Keepy-Uppy Challenge – Grab yourself a toilet roll and get practising and see if you can be the champion at this task. Can you keep up or even beat our attempts, it won’t be difficult? We look forward to seeing who will hold the toilet roll crown!

And more exciting announcements to come!  Get your thinking caps on – what will be your challenge?

We will be featuring deafblind people’s achievements and showing how they are winning during the lockdown. Deafblind Scotland member and Board Member, Issy has been learning to play the flute and has recently passed her grade 6 music exam. She is now studying for grade 7 and her dream is to achieve grade 8 – dare to dream and you will achieve the unimaginable! Since the lockdown, Issy has also taken up gardening and has conquered another of her dreams, a beautiful gardening plot where she can work, relax and enjoy her free time. Be inspired and make your dreams come true #DareToDream.

Thank you from Isabella Goldie, Deafblind Scotland Chief Executive

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❤️Thank you for your support ❤️

Isabella Goldie, Deafblind Scotland Chief Executive, has made a video message to say thank you to Deafblind Scotland donors and supporters.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to all the people that have supported the work we do here at Deafblind Scotland. All the people that regularly give us money, or just occasionally give us money.

I think over the last few months we’ve all experienced the real difficulties in isolation and lockdown. For deafblind people that’s pretty much a daily experience and your money has just allowed us to reach out and to support people. People who right now have found it really difficult to cope and your continued support has done untold good.

So, at a time when it’s been really difficult for all of us, I can’t thank you enough on behalf of Deafblind Scotland but really on behalf of deafblind people thank you. It’s just amazing to know the support is out there, and also for deafblind people to know the support is out there. Thank you.”

Please see the video here,

❤️Thank you for your support ❤️Here is a message of thanks from Isabella Goldie, Deafblind Scotland Chief…

Posted by Deafblind Scotland on Monday, 8 June 2020

National Volunteer Week

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This week is National Volunteer Week. We would like to show our appreciation to everyone who volunteers with Deafblind Scotland. We are extremely fortunate to have amazing volunteers supporting us in many different roles across our charity. Thank you 😊🌈
#NeverMoreNeeded

Deafblind Scotland Chief Executive, Isabella Goldie “It’s volunteer week and I’d just like to say hello to all of the volunteers who’ve worked with us at Deafblind Scotland over the years. We know these are really difficult times and we just hope you’re all keeping well but mainly I’d like to thank you for everything you’ve done for us. We really appreciate all the hard work.

For some of you, you work within our charity shop every single week, and others help with events and help to fundraise and I just want to let you know that this money has been really, really important right now. It’s allowed us to reach out to some of the most isolated people in our society. Some of the people that are shielding and are already very isolated even on a good day and these are not necessarily the best of days at the moment. However we can see light at the end of the tunnel and I hope you will rejoin us and rejoin the effort in supporting Deafblind Scotland. Albeit it might be socially distanced events or it might be virtual events, but there’s lots we’re going to be doing in the months to come to make sure we can continue to provide the support to all of the deafblind people across Scotland that might need it. Thank you, you’re so appreciated.”

John’s 26 Day 26 T-Shirt Challenge

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John Whitfield is writing and sharing a photograph for each day of his 26 Day 26 T-Shire Challenge. Raising vital funds for Deafblind Scotland during this time of national crisis.

You can support John here.

John writes:

I have been fundraising for Deafblind Scotland for many years.  this year I was going to be doing a couple of Kiltwalks. but due to the COVID-19 pandemic so many fundraising events have been cancelled and Deafblind Scotland rely on donations that are generated by these events.  Every day I walk over 2.6 miles and had put up a couple of pictures of myself on Whatsapp with my guide dog Peat next to a warning sign!  Some folk have come back at me saying. “cool t-shirt”.  so I thought I would put up a picture of myself and Peat everyday wearing a different t-shirt over the next 26 days covering 2.6 miles at least!!  the added fun factor is that I have not trimmed my beard or hair since the 4th March when my daughter got married, and  intend to keep this going till I emerge out of lockdown!  I will combine all the pictures, including some of previous ones and hopefully will be able to see the beard grow before your very eyes!!

Day 1 on Sunday 26th April wearing a Deafblind Scotland T-shirt with Peat by a caution sign at Carnoustie Golf course. The sign says, ” Flying golf balls from the left”.

Day 2. Wearing a T-shirt with an image of “Animal” from the Muppet Show. No idea why my kids think I am an animal – I get different ones each Xmas!! I am standing with Peat in front of another warning sign that says, “Beware. When flag is flying Access to MOD property is strictly forbidden”. The red flag is flying, and just after the picture was taken, a military police car went past! DbS Dangerman!!

Day 3 of the 26 Challenge. Wearing a T-shirt with a slogan saying, “The Older I Get the Better I Was!”. I am standing with Peat in front of another warning sign that says, “STOP. LOOK AND LISTEN. BEWARE OF TRAINS” . The sign is in front of a private railway crossing.
DbS Dangerman!!

Day 4 of the 26 Challenge. Wearing a T-shirt with a slogan saying, “Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know!”. This T-shirt was a present from a dear friend around 20 years ago, unfortunately she died a few years ago. Obviously, she knew me well!! I am standing with Peat in front of another warning sign that says, “DANGER MILITARY FIRING RANGE, KEEP OUT WHEN WARNING FLAGS OR LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED” . Whilst posing there is the sound of gunfire in the distance!!
DbS Dangerman!!

Day 5 of the 26 Challenge. Wearing an old Deafblind Scotland T-shirt with Deafblind Scotland translated into Chinese writing below the logo. I had a number of these printed for myself and my two guide/communicators, Gina and Margaret, who supported me when we did the Great Wall of China. This was my first fundraising trek back in 2010 towards the, “Field of Dreams building”. 10 years on, and the building is built and proving to be a valuable asset to deafblind people. I am standing with Peat in front of a lake and behind me are 2 swans. 0ne of which is on a nest and has been there for the past week or so. There is a picture of her mate swimming towards me, just visible between my body and arm. a previous picture had both swans in the picture but no Peat. The male swan was swimming towards us to scare us away from the nest and his mate. It obviously worked, we scarpered pretty quick! Hopefully in the weeks to come, there will be baby swans (cygnets) in another picture.

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 6 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland. Wearing T-shirt with a slogan, ” LIFE IS BETTER WITH MY GERMAN SHEPHERD”. Thank goodness dogs cannot read, or else my 2 other dogs would be extremely jealous!

I am standing with Peat in front of a barrier that is to slow down cycles on a shared walkway along the coast. Literally around the corner where I live. On the barrier is 2 brooms tied together and a sign saying,” THESE TWO BRUSHES TOGETHER MEASURE 2 METRES”. This is make sure people are aware of social distancing. I have to say most people stick to the rules. The worst culprits are the cyclists, some will pass by within 2 feet of you! There is an added problem if you are deafblind because you do not hear the bell ringing behind you, which is useless as the ringing is competing with the noise of the sea and the noisy seabirds!

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 7 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland Wearing a red T-shirt with a slogan in white writing, ” LLAMA – MACCHU PICHU”. the T-shirt is a mock up of the PUMA slogan. I bought this in Cuzco, when I did my second trek which was the Inca Trail trek in Peru. I was supported my dearest friend Joy Sharp.

We inadvertently wandered into the Military of Defence firing range! I am standing with Peat in front of a red and white gate and on it is a sign saying,” DANGER NO ENTRY, LIVE FIRING IN PROGRESS”. Observant folk will see that Paddington the Bear is also in the picture, he came with me as my mascot and as we were going to Peru, he had a chance of staying or going? he came back and became a film star!!

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 8 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland Wearing a T-shirt with a slogan saying, ” PERU, INCA TRAIL TREK 26 04 14 TO 05 05 14.”. Ironically i wore a T-shirt yesterday that I bought in Peru. When I got back I saw a post from a fellow trekker Tracey Rousell reminiscing it was 6 years ago that we were actually doing the trek as we speak!! It was an amazing surreal experience.

I am standing with Peat in front of a sign saying,” DANGER DO NOT TOUCH ANY MILITARY DEBRIS IT MAY KILL YOU”.

Hmmm, starting to think this is a pretty dangerous place to live?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 9 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland Wearing a T-shirt with a slogan saying, ” ROLLING STONES, NO FILTER, EDINBURGH”. It was bought at the concert at Murrayfield a couple of years ago and the old Mick Jagger mouth and tongue is reworked in a two tone effect reflecting on Jekyll and Hyde image.

I am standing with Peat in front of a sign saying,” CAUTION, GOLF IN PROGRESS ON ALL SIDES. GOLF BALLS CAN CAUSE INJURY. PLEASE BE STILL AND QUIET WHEN GOLFERS PLAYING”.

I truly hope Peat can read signs? thankfully there is no golf during the lockdown and I have Becky with me.
DbS Dangerman!!

Day 10 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland
Wearing a T-shirt with a slogan saying, “OLIVERS MOUNT, SCARBOROUGH. HOME OF LEGENDS. ENGLANDS NATURAL RACING CIRCUIT”. It covered with pictures of famous motorbike racers. This was bought for me to remind me of my young motorcycling days and racing at Oliver’s Mount .40 years on, and still missing the motorbikes.

I am standing with Peat in front of a sign that has a picture of 2 people walking side by side and a bicycle above their heads. The sign is to indicate this is a share walkway for cyclists and pedestrians and that cycles should slow down and be respectful. i see that sign as saying, “look out, low flying bikes!”

I have spoken about the difficulties deafblind people experience on shared walkways. Even with Peat wearing his red and white harness i have had cyclists come up behind me, possibly ringing there bell to no avail, and then shouting at me to get out of the way. Perhaps if cyclist were aware of the Highway Code and what the red and white means, then there might be more consideration?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 11 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland

Wearing a black T-shirt with a yellow Batman motif. Another old shirt bought for me in mind of my liking for this character over the many years.

The picture shows me and Peat in the midst of a gorse bush! we must have gone off the beaten track? Judging by the expression on my face, it must be a, “pain in the gorse, or even a thorn in my side?”. Whichever, another example of the dangers that surround us, in this case mother nature is making an impact!!

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 12 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland Wearing a Grey T-shirt with a slogan saying, “WITH GREAT BEARDS COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILTY!”. there is a picture of a beard on the t-shirt. Quite ironic, as ! have not touched my beard since the 4th March and it is getting a bit feral at the moment!

I am standing with Peat in front of a sign next to a railway crossing, the sign says, “WARNING. DO NOT TRESPASS ON THIS RAILWAY. PENALTY £1000”. I am trusting Peat to go straight on, or else I am going to be skint! Great responsibilities rest on Peat’s shoulders?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 13 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland

Wearing a T-shirt with a slogan saying, “TREKKED THE GRAND CANYON”. This was my third overseas trek in March 2016, an amazing experience touching on the Route 66, the privilege of camping among the Havasupai tribe in the Grand Canyon and exploring to finally a day in Las Vegas. Again with the fantastic support of guide/communicator, my wee pal Leah Thom.

I am standing with Peat in front of 2 signs together with a large area of water and gorse bushes in the background. The signs say, “DANGER. DEEP COLD WATER, DO NOT SWIM” the other sign is, “THIN ICE, STAY AWAY “. I am trusting Peat to avoid either situation, again it raises the question, can Peat read?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 14 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland

Wearing a T-shirt with a very faded picture of Animal, from the Muppet Show. This T-shirt is practically an antique and one of my favourite shirts. We have tried to get a replacement one, but never the same as you will see throughout this challenge.

I am standing with Peat in front of a sign on the golf course which says, “WARNING GOLF IN PROGRESS. PLEASE EXERCISE CARE”. Not sure about the care aspect with golf balls flying about and not hearing people shouting, “FORE”? However, no golf is in progress due to lockdown, so I am exercising with care!!

Interesting fact, it is a glorious day and the picture shows me with the bright sky and lit up clouds which are dramatic, but as a result my face is in silhouette. Something to consider when communicating with a Deaf or deafblind person?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 15 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland

Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “TRAIN HARD, WIN EASY”. This is one of my gym shirts that I have worn when getting ready for the various treks I have done. Not sure about the hard training makes the treks any easier, but if I hadn’t they would have been much harder or impossible in some cases!!

I am standing with Peat in front of a sign that is made up of 3 signs together at one of the entrances to the Military grounds which says, “DANGER, MILITARY FIRING RANGE, KEEP OUT WHEN RED FLAGS FLYING AND RED LAMPS ARE LIT “.

The sign below this one says, “DANGER, DO NOT TOUCH ANY MILITARY DEBRIS, IT MAY EXPLODE AND KILL YOU”

The last one says, “SLOW VEHICLE EXIT 5MPH” .

Definitely not the place to taking the wrong turning – are you paying attention Peat?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 16 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland

Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE”. Another favourite t-shirt that I bought at a Neil Young concert that I went to in Glasgow a few years ago with my son.

Appropriate slogan, as it looks like we have wandered into the woods away from the beaten track!! if you look closely there are Bears and Wolves in this wood? I am standing next to a tree in which Paddington is hiding in the branches and Peat next to me.

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 17 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “EVOLUTION”. The shirt shows a series of 7 people ranging from an ape evolving into a man. The final picture is of a man walking a dog!

The shows me and Peat having wandered off the beaten track yet again? We are standing on the very edge of a very deep pond. This pond is hoaching (good Scottish word) with man-eating tadpoles at the moment. One more step we are doomed!

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 18 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “GETTING TO THE TOP IS OPTIONAL, GETTING DOWN IS MANDATORY”. I wore this shirt on Iceland Trekand one of the challenges was the Cat’s Spine – a very narrow rock bridge between 2 gorges! Both t-shirt and the challenge a favourite for Hasmita Patel😂😂😂

The picture shows me and Peat having wandered off the beaten track yet again? We are standing on a narrow strip of grass between two golf bunkers. Not quite the Cat’ Spine and at least a soft landing!!

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 19 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “ICELANDIC LAVA TREK CHALLENGE”. This was the last trek I did almost 2 years ago, a fantastic experience with many difficult and potentially dangerous adventures. As mentioned in yesterdays event, Cat’s Spine, hanging off chains over sheer drops, walking onto glaciers and behind waterfalls! All of which could not have been achieved without my two great pals and guides, Mick McCourt and Robert McCourt.

The picture shows me and Peat standing on a bridge with a sign saying, “WARNING, RISK OF FALLING, DO NOT CLIMB”. Could have done with some of these signs in Iceland!!

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 20 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “FREE TO A GOOD HOME”. Do not worry I am house trained and perform tricks for treats!😆😂This is another of my favourite gym shirts, but not worn for the past 2 years since my last trek.

The picture shows me and Peat standing by a barrier designed to slow cyclists down with a sign saying, “WARNING, GOLF PRACTISE AREA, EXERCISE CARE AND CAUTION WHEN USING THE CYCLEWAY”. It would be great if cyclists had to learn the highway code. Twice we were overtaken by cyclists coming within a couple of feet of us. My wife was with me, and she did not hear if they had rung their bells to alert us to move over.

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 21 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “THE DOGFATHER”. It is a mock up of the cover of the book, “THE GODFATHER”. a T-shirt bought for me due to my love of dogs. in all of my almost 62 years on this planet, I have only ever been 4 years without a dog!

The picture shows me and Peat standing outside a workshop area belonging to the golf course. There are a number of signs all around this area, we are standing between 2 signs which say, “PUBLIC NOTICE, MACHINARY AND HEAVY PLANT OPERATING IN THIS AREA, AUTHOURISED VEHICLES ONLY”. The other sign says, “ONE WAY” . It is very easy to follow the road around into this area if you take the wrong turning? I am asking Peat if he can read these signs?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 22 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “EDEN MILL, ST ANDREWS”.

This is from the Eden Mill Gin distillery. Ironically we can see St Andrews across the bay from where we live.

The picture shows me and Peat standing on the golf green with an irrigation pipe creating a water cloud behind us. Again serves us right for meandering off the beaten track — very close to getting a wet t-shirt! Not my ideal tonic for the Gin?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 23 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “I AM CURRENTLY UNSUPERVISED. I KNOW, IT FREAKS ME OUT TOO. BUT THE POSSIBLITIES ARE ENDLESS”. Yet another Animal from the Muppet show! Peat is wearing a red and white bandana as it is his 4th Birthday today!

The picture shows me and Peat standing on the edge of the pond with 2 swans coming towards us, they have 3 cygnets with them and obviously very protective of them. Peat is looking behind us at them as if to say, “Time we left?”.

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 24 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTNING VERY, VERY FRIGHTENING ME — GALILEO”. it is a reference to the famous Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody. Almost out of t-shirts now!!

The picture shows me and Peat standing next to a telegraph pole that has a sign on it saying, “DANGER OF DEATH. KEEP OFF”. The sign also has a picture of a black thunderbolt on a yellow background, striking a person who is lying down dead. Quite appropriate for the t-shirt i am wearing? I have my hand touching it and Peat is looking a wee bit concerned.

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 25 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “HIGHLAND PARK. J and S. GRANT and CO. HIGHLAND PARK DISTILLERS LTD. ORKNEY”. I confess i had to buy a t-shirt to get the 26 total? What could be more appropriate as this whisky is my favourite and I would have worn it this weekend at the Whisky Stramash this weekend in Edinburgh, sadly not going to happen!

Looks like we have wandered down the wrong steps and into the sea!! it is high tide so no beach to see. Peat is looking behind me, telling me we are about to get soaked. I don’t think salt water will go with the Highland Park somehow?

DbS Dangerman!!

Day 26 of the 26 Challenge raising funds for Deafblind Scotland wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “DEAFBLIND SCOTLAND”. The last T-shirt of the challenge and it is a very old Deafblind Scotland shirt that I got when I first got involved with this charity 21 years ago!! Practically an antique!

Peat and I are standing on the platform at Carnoustie train station with several signs behind us. The most significant one says. “PASSENGERS MUST NOT CROSS THE LINE”. Interestingly enough there is no tactile indication of where this line is, and I know of a visually impaired person having gone the wrong direction when getting off the train and gone down this section!

The other picture shows Peat and myself with the train approaching us from behind, Peat is making sure I do not move over to my right in front of the train!

DbS Dangerman!!

Information from NHS Inform 06/04/20

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Please note that the following information applies to Scotland (06/04/20).

NHS Inform

NHS inform is currently hosting a significant amount of information on COVID-19 (the coronavirus) including a self-help guide to check your symptoms and get advice.
Go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

The Scottish Government, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS 24 have been working together to provide translations of COVID-19 information. This is being translated into Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Polish, Romanian, Czech/Slovak, Spanish, Urdu and British Sign Language (BSL).

Easy read and audio versions will also be available.

 

Translated information will be available under five headings:

 

Translations (including COVID 19) are published on NHS inform – go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/translations

BSL videos are on NHS inform YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/nhsinform) and embedded on NHS inform. Go to www.nhsinform.scot/translations/languages/british-sign-language-bsl/illnesses-and-conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 – BSL users can go to the dedicated short URL (www.nhsinform.scot/BSL) to find all the BSL translations (including COVID-19)

Easy read resources are published here on NHS inform www.nhsinform.scot/translations/formats/easy-read/coronavirus-covid-19

There is also a section for professionals with COVID-19 translated posters for download, as well as a communications toolkit. Go to:

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-professionals

Please keep checking NHS inform for the most up-to-date quality assured information in English, translated and in alternative formats.
Go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

 

NHS Inform want everyone who visits the website to feel welcome and able to find information whatever their circumstance.

To do this they have:

  • designed the website to be accessible and usable for everyone
  • provided alternative text and subtitles for media content (where appropriate)
  • written in plain English – making information easy to read and understand
  • used Browsealoud, a free tool for reading and listening to information from your browser on any device.

Please see the Accessibility page for more information

 

How to access NHS 24 services

NHS 24 staff are also looking to introduce a SMS messaging service, Chat Bot, and web chat, initially on the COVID-19 helpline ( 0800 028 2816) and intend to provide more information on this soon.

The Relay UK service provides a centralised relay service for people who are deaf and without speech. This can be accessed by the app or by text phone. Of note, the operators also answer 999 emergency calls. You can call  NHS 24’s 111 service (18001 111) or NHS inform (18001 0800 22 44 88) or for Emergency 999 calls the number is 18000, using this relay service.

contactSCOTLAND –BSL service can be accessed by people who are Deaf or deafblind and use BSL. The contactSCOTLAND-BSL staff are fully aware of NHS 24 services, including the COVID-19 helpline (The  NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service is available in England and Wales).

 

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

If you’ve developed a new, continuous cough and/or a fever/high temperature in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the start of your symptoms, even if you think your symptoms are mild. Do not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital.

You should phone 111 if:

  • your symptoms worsen during home isolation, especially if you’re in a high or extremely high risk group
  • breathlessness develops or worsens, particularly if you’re in a high or extremely high risk group
  • your symptoms haven’t improved in 7 days
  • If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Image description:

Coronavirus, wash yourhands more often for 20 seconds. Use soap and water or a hand sanitiser when you: Get home or into work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, east or handle food. Coronavirus, protect yourself and others. Find out more at nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

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