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We are hiring – Supporter Development Officer

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Closing date: Monday February 28th, 2022 with interviews week commencing March 14th, 2022.

JOB TITLE: Supporter Development Officer.

COMPANY: Deafblind Scotland.

BASE: Deafblind Scotland Learning & Development Centre Neasham Drive, Kirkintilloch with flexible home working and travel across Scotland (mainly Central Belt).

CONTRACTED HOURS: 28 hours per week.

SALARY/BAND/GRADE: Salary Scale 31 – 34 (dependent on experience) (£27,818 – £30,317) Pro-rata.

TERM: Permanent – 25 days annual leave and 12 public holidays (pro-rata).

RESPONSIBLE TO: Trust and Income Generation Manager.

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Chief Executive.

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults who are living with dual sensory impairment.  Our ambitions are high for members’ and we are therefore at the cutting edge of finding ways to support people to lead their most meaningful life.  Deafblindness can be a devastating condition that can make daily life extremely challenging and as a result, many dual sensory impaired people become isolated. Our services can make a vital difference to their lives; enabling people to regain confidence, develop vital communication skills and re-establish social connections.

We are seeking to recruit a dynamic, enthusiastic and experienced professional who is passionate about fundraising. The Supporter Development Officer will be responsible for identifying, developing and supporting business and sponsorship opportunities for income generation for Deafblind Scotland. This will include Charity of the Year, Corporate and individual fundraisers; promotion of Deafblind Scotland’s training portfolio; promotion of our Bequeathed Will for Good service; researching and providing support for tender opportunities.

This is a key role working alongside the Trusts and Income Generation Manager to identify income generation opportunities to achieve Deafblind Scotland’s vision and strategy and helping to implement and develop our mission of a society where deafblind people in Scotland can live as rightful members of their own community. 

Successful marketing skills are essential, ideally in ‘selling the cause’ for a charity. Superior social media skills with experience of PR; copywriting; using social media for campaigning and/or marketing purposes are very important too.  Highly organised, you should easily build rapport and develop relationships with a variety of different individuals, organisations, and groups. It is desirable that you have a knowledge of the charitable sector and be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising or a willingness to join. An enthusiasm to learn about deafblind people and their rights is essential.

Closing Date: Monday February 28th, 2022

Interviews will take place during the week beginning March 14th, 2022

For an application pack, please contact HR@dbscotland.org.uk. Any inquiries or questions, please contact sarah.gillen@dbscotland.org.uk.

Scottish Government BSL Progress Report 2021

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Deafblind Scotland will have a Right to Dream policy forum of deafblind people who will continue to support the implementation of the national plan going forward and in particular ensuring that deafblind people’s voices are heard as this plan continues to be implemented.

Please click the link below to access the Scottish Government BSL Progress Report 2021.

BSL Progress Report 2021 (bslscotlandact2015.scot)

There is also an easy read version of the report: British Sign Language – national plan: progress report – easy read – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Touching Lives: A History of Deafblindness in Scotland

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We’re absolutely thrilled to announce Deafblind Scotland founder and previous Chief Executive, Drena O’Malley has had her book, Touching Lives: A History of Deafblindness in Scotland, published by Amazon. There are many familiar names and faces, so make sure to get your copy!

You can buy a paperback copy for £7 or download a kindle version for £1.99, https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739942302/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3J70A1RYPH1GPM9546PZ?fbclid=IwAR0vkGRE3dfuUjxWkINzfQQZ1G39I5rKFRudVcbXolsVqw6DVGWUFvKHFZU

Bequeathed – Make your Will For Good, for free

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Leaving a gift to Deafblind Scotland in your Will is a truly thoughtful way to ensure that our charity thrives and the support and opportunities we provide will grow for years to come.

We understand that writing or updating your Will can seem like a daunting task. That’s why we have partnered with Bequeathed.

Start your Will For Good today with our partners, Bequeathed. Simply follow the steps to get started online. A legal professional will advise you on your draft will in a 30-minute appointment, in person or over the phone. And once it’s completed they’ll sore your will securely at no cost.

Writing a Will is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference to people and services which are close to your heart.  Every legacy we receive, no matter how small, enables us to deliver a continued high quality service.

Deafblind Scotland and Visibility Scotland launch new ‘Right to Dream Project’

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Right to Dream (R2D)

We are delighted that Deafblind Scotland and Visibility Scotland are partnering to deliver the ‘Right to Dream Project’ funded by the Scottish Government – Equality and Human Rights Fund.

Deafblindness and sight loss affects 211,000+ (sight loss 180,000+, Deafblindness 31,000+) people in Scotland, these individuals experience high levels of isolation and profound loneliness. Deafblind and visually impaired people are amongst the least visible in society.  Many are older and unable to connect with life in their communities without specialist support or adaptations to the way that we operate our public services and businesses. 

Those involved will receive rights-based training/support so they can gain the skills and confidence to lead, influence and serve as rights-based champions. A rights-based policy toolkit and e-learning course for organisations will also be created by those with lived experience and operating as a peer-to-peer leadership group.

Over the past few months many of us have had a brief glimpse into how it feels to be isolated and have opportunities and freedoms limited. The isolation and inequalities this has caused is a daily experience for many visually impaired and deafblind people. As life returns to normal over the coming months for most of us, many of the social barriers and exclusions exacerbated by the pandemic will remain for many Deafblind and visually impaired people. This much needed funding will help ensure that people with dual sensory impairment and vision loss can participate in decisions that can make or break their ability to access a full life and to take up their role as active and equal citizens.

For further information on Deafblind Scotland, visit www.dbscotland.org.uk

For further information on Visibility Scotland, visit www.visibilityscotland.org.uk

Dare to Dream

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As part of Deafblind Scotland’s Dare to Dream strategy we’ve asked members to share their dreams and ambitions. Chris tells us all about his return to running:
“I used to enjoy running and have completed a few 10K’s and the Glasgow half marathon in 2010. But with deteriorating vision and new issues with my balance I stopped running soon after that. There have been lots of times I’ve thought about running again but never expected I’d be able to do it.

In March 2020 I was diagnosed with Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency (RTD) type 2, which is the cause of my deafblindness, and that gave me the drive to fight back even harder. So with guide Adam supporting me, we tried running laps of a playing field. It was tough going at first and I felt anxious, unsure if I would manage. But we stuck at it and things got easier and easier until running laps got a bit boring! Now we are running around 5K on trails and routes, up hills and different terrain, which is much more satisfying. I’m cross-training running with Judo and really feeling the benefits. Physically and mentally it is so rewarding. Now I know I can do it, the next target is a 10K. From there… who knows?”

Thanks to Chris for sharing his amazing story. We hope this will inspire you to share your story. Please get in touch with Julie, by emailing communityfundraiser@dbscotland.org.uk to share your Dare to Dream.

North Coast 500 Record Breaking Attempt

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Deafblind Scotland supporters often go over and above with their fundraising challenges, and Kristian is no different!

Kristian said “On Friday 13 August, I intend to attempt to run, (with the assistance of a small team of assistants) the North Coast 500 route – a 515 mile route around the far north of Scotland. I shall attempt to better the current FKT (fastest known time) which now stands at 5 days 23 hours and 4mins. The FKT was recently broken by Luke Ivory, from Brora, who took an amazing 2 days and 20 hours off of the previous record, making my attempt to hold the FKT even harder as Luke has placed a great time for others to chase.

There is no under-estimating this challenge. It’s a tad scary, for sure. But, that’s what we should do, no? Choose things that scare you a little but make you feel excited at the same time – I think so.

This attempt will be fully supported and as such, if you find yourself in the area and wish to spend a few miles with me, or even join the team to support me around, please get in touch.

And, if you want/can assist, please get in touch/share with folks you think might be suited to helping.

Duties can you can help with, include:
Cycling alongside me.
Running a few miles with me.
Throwing food at me as you pass by..
Massaging my sore bits (if suitably qualified).
Chucking abuse at me at any point along the way.
Additional support team to allow more rest for team. This can be for a few hours and even days. Entirely up to you.”

Please support Kristian in raising funds for Deafblind Scotland through this awesome challenge by donating, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kristian-dela-cour2.

If you would like to get in touch for more details about the challenge or would like to volunteer to support Kristian along the way please email Julie, communityfundraiser@dbscotland.org.uk

Deafblind Awareness Week 2021

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Deafblind Awareness Week 2021

There are an estimated 31-34,000 people living in Scotland with a dual sensory impairment. Deafblind Awareness Week 2021 will run from Monday 21 June until Sunday 27 June and will feature a host of exciting and fun challenges the focus being on our ambitious 5 year strategy Dare to Dream. Make sure to join the celebrations!

Award winning folk singer and musician, Elena Piras will host an awesome live folk music performance on Wednesday 23 June for all to enjoy. We will provide words to all the songs so everyone can join in and truly be a part of this beautiful music event.

Join us by wearing red and white, the colours of Deafblind Scotland. Or join DbS Participation Officer John who is dying his beard red and white, before going for the big shave after 12 months of growth!

We’re calling on and encouraging our community to join in Knitting Us Together. We’ll be knitting 10cm x 10cm red and white squares which will then be used to create a fabulous banner to be displayed in our Learning and Development Centre in Kirkintilloch.

You can choose to take part in our 34,000 step challenge – walk a step for every Deafblind person living in Scotland!

We hope to have artists take part and send photos of ‘Drawing in the Dark’. Check out how amazing your artwork is when you are blindfolded – you might surprise yourself! Email a photograph of your artwork to communityfundraiser@dbscotland.org.uk or tag us @dbscotland and have fun and creating your blindfolded masterpiece.

There’s lots for everyone to enjoy and get involved in, so make sure to follow us on social media @dbscotland and help celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week 2021. If you would like to get in touch with your ideas to celebrate #DBAW2021 please contact Julie, communityfundraiser@dbscotland.org.uk

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