Deafblind Scotland
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
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 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
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 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!!
NHS Inform
NHS Inform have updated their COVID-19 BSL page to include BSL videos produced by NHS Lothian on the following topics:
1) Washing and Cleaning
2) Wellbeing and Symptoms
3) Social Distancing
4) Shielding
5) Household isolation
6) Pregnancy
7) Helpline
8) Text message service
First Minister’s Updates
Monday 20th April: https://www.facebook.com/158845110844485/videos/270831670600106/
Tuesday 21st April: https://www.facebook.com/BritishDeafAssociation/videos/643945253119095/
Wednesday 22nd April: https://www.facebook.com/BritishDeafAssociation/videos/269961644027286/
Thursday 23rd April: https://www.facebook.com/BritishDeafAssociation/videos/662773801184102/
BDA Website:
For those who have no access to Facebook, go to https://bda.org.uk/covid19/.
In addition, there are some BSL clips on myths about COVID-19 that need to be busted . They can be found at the bottom of the web page.
Our members at Deafblind Scotland are still receiving a high quality Guide Communication service which is proving to be a lifeline for many. Isabella Goldie, Deafblind Scotland Chief Executive said “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff who are going that extra mile just now to reach out to Deafblind people to ensure that no one is isolated and without support at this difficult time. So on behalf of the Senior management Team and our Trustees we want to send out a hive thank you to all those frontline staff and key workers that are out there daily making people’s lives that much better.”
We’re clapping to say THANK YOU to all our frontline workers and Guide/Communicators #clapforfrontlineworkers Rainbows of thanks from our children, staff and members.
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:
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:
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:
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
BDA Scotland have kindly shared their COVID-19 BSL News.
The videos have no subtitles or voice-over; they are aimed for BSL users in Scotland only.
Introduction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1470165406637765/permalink/2574257372895224/
For all video updates, on COVID-19: www.bda.org.uk/coronavirus/
BDA Scotland will continue to produce regular updates.
NHS Lanarkshire have collated useful information on COVID-19 in BSL and other languages on their webiste.
Visit their website here.
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