Deafblind Scotland
Newsletter
autumn 2015
In this Issue
· A Note from the Editor
· Loch Lomond
· Marco Biagi MSP Visit
· BSL Bill
· Michael's Way
· Me and My Guide
· Welfare Rights
· Health Project
· Health and Weight Loss
· Health Access Project
· HMRC's New Service
· Voting
· Paddington's New Adventures
· Christmas Cards
· Buy a Brick
· Halloween
· Local News
A Note from the Editor
Welcome to the autumn edition of the Deafblind Scotland newsletter.
We are now in the second half of 2015 and isn't the year passing quickly?
Thank you for your feedback on the last newsletter. I am still interested in hearing from you with ideas and stories so please get in touch with any news you have for future newsletters.
I hope you enjoy this edition.
Stephanie
Loch Lomond
On 31 July some members visited Loch Lomond to do one of the walking trips.It had been bad weather all week so everyone was worried about rain storms on the day.
A couple of members chose to walk up the challenging 2.5 mile Conic Hill while others chose to do the mile long Millennium Forest Path.
The weather was dry and we managed to undertake both walks with the rain only starting when it was time to head back for the train.
The staff and members all said how helpful and knowledgeable the Rangers were on their knowledge of the landscape, history and in making the walks come to life.
Well done to everyone involved!
Photos: Members, Guides and Rangers, 2015
Marco biaGi MSP Visit
Scotland's Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi visited Deafblind Scotland on 12 August 2015 to share the news that Deafblind Scotland will receive £25,000 from the Scottish Government to ensure the involvement of deafblind people who use tactile BSL to work with on the British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill reference groups.
He said: “This project will help tackle inequalities and give people more opportunities to put forward their views, and have more representation in their communities."
The visit was a great success and Mr Biagi listened to some of our board members and staff as they discussed some of the issues surrounding equality and access.
(Photo: Suzanne, Ruth, Alison, Marco Biagi MSP, Bob, Michael, Drena)
BSL Bill Stage 3
Stage 3 of the BSL (Scotland) Bill will take place on Thursday 17 September 2015 at 2.30pm at The Scottish Parliament. We hope this will be a historic day and that the Bill will soon become an Act of Parliament.
Michael's Way
Vice Chairperson and member Michael is to compete a triathlon and other bike and hike events to raise money for Field of Dreams.
He is hoping to do St Columba's Way which is a 215 mile/338km self-supported backpacking trek from the island of Iona across Scotland to St Andrews. The walk will take approximately three weeks and will involve camping and nights in hostels.
Next on the list are a 50 mile cycle ride and perhaps another running race or triathlon. Details for these have still to be finalised.
Michael is calling his efforts Michael's Way. He stated "The name was dreamt up because I have very different ways of doing things. I have to run with a guide and cycle with a pilot so I do a triathlon Michael's way. I have to be guided on a walk and use my balance and sense of touch to find my way so I will be doing the hike Michael's Way."
To support Michael and help make Field of Dreams a reality then his JustGiving page is https://www.justgiving.com/michaelsway/
Me and my guide
Dundee member Sarfraz and his Guide/Communicator Christine have both written stories about what it is like working with each other.
Sarfraz's story is below:
"My name is Sarfraz and my guide is Christine. We live in Dundee. We meet every Monday and Friday.
Going for a walk is what we usually do first. My favourite walk is around Camperdown Park. I have also walked across the Tay Road Bridge and back, twice. Another walk we like, is along Grassy Beach in Broughty Ferry. One day I was allowed to touch and feel all the parts of a beautiful, new, wooden, rowing boat. We have also walked in the Botanical Gardens in Dundee, where I found sugar cane and banana plants, which reminded of my home in Pakistan.
After our walk we read from one of my books in Braille – I read and Chris listens and explains as we go along. The book I am reading just now is called, ‘A Lucky Charm.’
We always have a lot to talk and laugh about too!
I really enjoy going out and look forward to the time when Christine comes to pick me up."
Welfare rights
The “Connect to Welfare Rights” project has been running for over one year and is funded to run until March 2016. We are assisting more people each month with welfare rights enquiries, and have a high percentage of positive outcomes.
We have continued to raise awareness of the project through attending events, setting up information stand in local hospitals and attending visually impaired support groups.
Please contact Helen or Chris on 0141 777 5828 or if you have any questions or issues in regards to welfare rights, including benefits, money matters, access to information in different formats and your equal rights as sensory impaired adults.
Health project
The Health Project continues to support members with health activities and health advice. The activities arranged by Deafblind Scotland are exercise classes, breathing and relaxation classes and walking group as well as activities arranged by other organisations.
There is representation from Deafblind Scotland at patient information sessions in Stobhill and the New Victoria Hospitals. This is in the foyer in both hospital areas on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
The Health Project would like to remind members that if they have difficulties with health appointments, GP, Dentist, Hospital etc to contact them. All health leaflets, appointment letters and any other information sent by NHS must be in the correct format appropriate to your needs. If the information is not in the correct format please contact Mahri or Vijay.
Health and weight loss
Member Evelyn has been focusing on better health recently. She has given us full reviews on the NHS weight loss programme Waist Winner and also on Slimming World.
To get Evelyn's full reviews please mark on the reply sheet.
Counterweight through Deafblind Scotland
Deafblind Scotland is to work with Counterweight, a team of weight management specialists. Together they will deliver a structured programme that will take each person’s lifestyle and circumstances into account. If you are interested in taking part in the future then please mark on the reply sheet and the Health Project will be in touch.
Health Access project
John Whitfield, Health Access Officer is in the process of writing up a preliminary report based upon the findings of the health questionnaires sent out to the members. The information and figures make for very interesting reading and will provide useful evidence to feed back to the Scottish Government.
The number of meetings attended has risen and the training has increased over 50% on last year. It is encouraging to know that more professionals and frontline staff are becoming deafblind aware, however, there is still a very long way to go before the majority have this approach to dual sensory loss.
Afternoon Tea
If you enjoy tea, cake and entertainment then you might enjoy the Deafblind Scotland's first Afternoon Tea in Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow on Sunday 20th September 14:00 – 16:00.
On the day there will be also be a nail bar, make-up demonstrations, music and a tombola.
Tickets cost £15. Tickets for Guide/Communicators accompanying a member only cost £7.50. All tickets can be purchased from Drena.
Email or call 0141 777 6111.
All proceeds go towards the new Field of Dreams learning and development centre.
HMRC's New service
Working with theRoyal Association for Deaf People (RAD), HMRC are piloting new services for deaf customers.
Deaf customers can now use video relay with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter via a webcam, and the interpreter will be able to talk directly to anHMRCadviser on the phone to create a three way ‘real time’ conversation.
British Sign Language customers with more complexHMRCissues can use the new Advocacy and Advice service provided byRAD. Advisers fromRAD will useBSLto communicate with customers using an online video link and provide advice to the customer. If theRADadviser needs guidance from HMRCto support the deaf customer, they will contact aHMRCadviser.
Customers wanting to use either the video relay or Advocacy and Advice services can find out more and book an appointment through the joint HMRC/RADTax Help Centre. Go to http://royaldeaftax.org.uk/ for more information.
Voting Question
Our services department are looking for information on when you last voted and if you faced any problems with the voting process.
Please mark on the reply sheet if you would like to participate.
Paddington's New Adventures
John, his guide Leah and Paddington are going tothe gym (Paddington not so much) trying to get fitter for their trek to the Grand Canyon in 2016.
They hoping to fundraise through a number of Race Night events at different venues this year. They would be extremely grateful if you have any unwanted gifts or donations for raffle prizes. If you can help please contact the office and we will arrange collection or pass them to a willing guide to bring in to the office.
If you would like to support John, Leah and Paddington then go to the JustGiving site at, www.justgiving.com/John-Whitfield1
Christmas Cards
It's that time of year again when Christmas cards are back in the shops. If you want to purchase any from us then please fill out the order form enclosed.
Buy a brick
Please find enclosed a leaflet about the buy a brick scheme. Friends and supporters of Deafblind Scotland can buy a brick to help build the new Learning and Development Centre "Field of Dreams".
Halloween
Halloween falls on 31st October each year. We tend to associate it with pumpkins, fancy dress and trick or treating. There's a long history to Halloween so here is some information about the scariest holiday of the year:
· Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, can be traced back about 2,000 years to a pre-Christian Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced "sah-win"), which means "summer's end."
· Some people believe that because Samhain and All Souls Day (November 1) were so close to each other they combined into Halloween.
· The tradition of dressing in costumes and trick or treating may go back to 'mumming' and 'guising' when people used to dress in a disguise and go door to door to ask for food.
· The tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837and was originally associated with harvest time in. It didn't become specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.
East News
RNIB Drop In Sessions
These are free sessions for people with sight loss, and will continue throughout 2015. The sessions are also open to anyone who cares for someone with sight loss. They can assist with:
· Discussing any concerns or needs
· Referral to other agencies
· Leaflets and information
· Trying equipment
· Hints and tips on living with sight loss.
If you need information on when these are, contact the project team on 01563 526 011.
The lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
This winter The Lyceum Theatre will be showing their production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Meet Aslan, Mr Tumnus and his friends and join their quest to free Narnia from the spell of the White Witch.
Audio Described Performances:
Thursday 10 Dec - 7pm and Touch Tour - 5.45pm
Saturday 12 Dec - 2pm and Touch Tour - 12.45pm
BSL Interpreted Performance:
Wednesday 16 Dec - 7pm
Captioned Performance:
Saturday 5 Dec - 2pm
To purchase tickets call the Box Office on 0131 248 4848
John Gray Centre
As the weather gets wetter it can be good to find entertainment that takes place indoors. The John Gray Centre in Haddington brings together East Lothian Council's Archaeology, Museum Archive, Local History Services and library together under one roof. The museum has some permanent and changing temporary exhibitions throughout the year. There is a hearing loop and audio guides. Some exhibitions may have touch tours available. There are also audio and large print books available in the library.
For further details visit:
John Gray Centre, 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3DX
Telephone Library 01620 820680; Museum 01620 820690; Archives 01620 820695
Email:
West News
RNIB Drop In Sessions
These are free sessions for people with sight loss, and will continue throughout 2015. The sessions are also open to anyone who cares for someone with sight loss. They can assist with:
· Discussing any concerns or needs
· Referral to other agencies
· Leaflets and information
· Trying equipment
· Hints and tips on living with sight loss.
If you need information on when these are, contact the project team on 01563 526 011.
RNIB Scotland Pre-employment Programme
If you live in the West of Scotland, are blind or partially sighted, of working age and keen to find a job then this programme could assist.
Developed by RNIB Scotland and funded by Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries, the Pre-employment Programme is designed to increase your motivation, boost your confidence and improve your communication and job searching skills.
The programme will run to November 2015 and will be divided into several equivalent courses. Each course will last up to 8 days over a 3-week period and include workshops, talks, discussions and a visit to a local employer.