Updated 15th September 2020
A Note from Isabella Goldie, CEO Deafblind Scotland
Deafblind Scotland will continue to provide regular briefings on Covid-19 Pandemic across the winter period. This will ensure that deafblind people are up to date with the national and local lockdown restrictions that are in place.
Please know that although this is a difficult time we are here to help. So please don’t feel you are coping alone. We will do what we can to continue to support you either through our wellbeing phone calls or by visiting you at home. We will also continue to run a full programme of activities online.
Take care and please do let us know if we can do anything else to support you now or as we head into the winter period.
Best wishes
Isabella and the team at Deafblind Scotland
Support Available from Deafblind Scotland
Due to the rise in Covid-19 numbers, Deafblind Scotland office staff are mainly working from home. You can still contacts us through any of these methods:
Phone: 0141 777 7774
Text: 07715 421 377 (office hours)
Email: info@dbscotland.org.uk
Video: Use contactSCOTLAND-BSL
Services available at this time:
- Guide/Communicator Service
- Welfare Rights Service
- Support to access technology
- Wellbeing Support – if you are struggling and would like to speak to someone
- Online and Live Activities
- Briefings in accessible formats
- Formatting Services – including Braille, Moon, Audio, BSL video, large print.
- Online Deafblind Awareness Training
ONLINE: Understanding Communication with Deafblind People
This course will be made up of a combination of on-line sessions (using ZOOM), online self-study (using an online training platform) and individual time researching the elements of the course as well as practising communication tactics.
Training is delivered by our resident Training Officer, John Whitfield, who is himself dual sensory impaired.
Visit our online training webpage for more information.
Online Activities at Deafblind Scotland
We are all missing you at our weekly activities. Even though we cannot meet at our Development centre we still want to connect with you all to offer activities and classes you can do at home.
A few of our members have been working hard to film classes that you can log into on the DBS YouTube channel. Each activity has three classes for you to try with BSL interpretation and subtitles.
If you want to give it a go but don’t have the technology or simply need someone to help you participate at home, please get in touch with Gillian to make sure you can join-in.
Gillian Mooney development@dbscotland.org.uk
- General Knowledge Quiz with Ian
- Craft Classes with Crafty Andy
- Art Project with Arty Anne
- Gentle exercise and stretching with Alison – get in touch with Gillian for the password for this class
If you can participate, please log-into the classes on the Deafblind Scotland YouTube channel and click on playlists to see the on-line activities Deafblind Scotland on YouTube
LIVE Zoom Online Classes
We have weekly Zoom classes that some of our members have already been having fun with. Please use the meeting details below. If you require extra support or technology to join a class, please get in touch with Gillian.
Creative Writing Classes – Wednesday mornings 10.45am – 11.45pm
BINGO – Friday afternoons 2pm – 3pm
Contact Gillian for Zoom meeting ID and Password
development@dbscotland.org.uk
Protect Scotland App
Free mobile phone app designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns.
The app will alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus. And if you test positive, it can help in determining contacts that you may have otherwise missed while keeping your information private and anonymous.
- Go to the app store or google play and search for Protect Scotland
- Download the app
- Once downloaded, tap on the app icon and follow the on-screen prompts to set it up.
Stay safe, protect others, save lives.
To help suppress the virus remember FACTS:
Face coverings
Must be worn on public transport, in shops, banks, post offices, places of worship, museums, cinemas and other indoor spaces or where social distancing is difficult. This is to keep yourself and others safer.
Avoid Crowded Places
We should continue to avoid places with lots of crowds.
Clean your Hands Regularly
Continue to follow guidelines regarding cleaning and washing your hands regularly.
Two Metre Distance
Remember to keep physical distance of 2 metres from other people.
Self Isolate and Book Test if You Have Symptoms
Remember to stay at home and get a test if you have symptoms. To book a test please contact 08000 282816 or www.nhsinform.scot