Service updates during COVID-19 outbreak
As the nation battles the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, we are determined to be there for the Deaf community, providing access to information and continuing to offer essential services . Please find updates to our services below by region.
Aberdeenshire
Hearing Support Service
Drop-Ins:
Our regular drop-ins at Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Peterhead & Stonehaven have been cancelled until further notice.
Our Information, Advice & Guidance Workers can be contacted by phone, text or by e-mail to see how we can help in the meantime.
Sam Reid: 07772 105 015
Rosemary Mitchell: 07772 104 700
Email: aberdeenshire@deafaction.org
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives alone, for the purposes of:
- maintaining access to information (TV headphones or loops)
- allowing access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- amplified phones
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
For new referrals, please continue contacting us. We will see what we can do to help until the Government enforced restrictions have ended.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you or someone you know has run out of hearing aid batteries, please contact Audiology on 01224 556 158. Alternatively, please contact Sam Reid for further assistance.
Dundee City Council residents
Befriending Service /Sound Sense
We still are able to provide befriending service, by supporting clients and befrienders remotely via:
- A phone call, if clients are able to use the hearing aids
- A text, if they are happy with this mean of communication
- An e-mail, if they have access to the internet
- Videoconferencing such as Skype, FaceTime and/or Facebook chat for BSL users
- Facebook text chat
- Handwritten letter or a card
We will be sending links related to exercising to clients and befrienders. We will encourage befrienders to spare 30 mins a week or more, to make a huge difference to clients’ lives.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you need a replacement Hearing Aid Battery you have 3 options to have replacement batteries posted to your home.
1. NHS Tayside Audiology service: Tel 01382 596965 Monday to Friday, 09:00-12:30 & 13:30-16:00
2. Online: audiology.tayside2@nhs.net(link sends e-mail)
3. North East Sensory service : info@nesensoryservices.org(link sends e-mail)
4. If your hearing aid is from a private supplier you should contact them directly.
City of Edinburgh Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March and are contactable by FaceTime/What’s App with details above.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org.
BSL Interpreter Duty:
Our BSL Interpreting Duty Service is still running every Tuesday and Thursday using WhatsApp video calls.
Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot email bookings@deafaction.org
or text 07860018761.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761.
East Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
East Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
Midlothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
West Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients remotely. Please contact Sophia Cumming on 07967 641239 (What’s App text and/or chat).
We have stopped face to face duty sessions. Instead, contact us through FaceTime/What’s App on the phone number above.
Lothians & surrounding areas
Employability:
Face to face Employability meetings have been postponed. Please text/call/skype/e-mail our Employability Advisor, Carole Wallace on 07741 320 082 or carole.wallace@deafaction.org to arrange a consultation or our Administrator Carol McKay on 07795 338 231 or cmckay@deafaction.org for further information.
Outreach & Support Service
We are currently providing essential support only to those living at Slateford Green and those in the Lothian and surrounding areas who do not have a family/support network to rely on. The support we are continuing to provide includes shopping, picking up medication, emergency correspondence, and appointments. We continue to be open to communication through SMS, phone calls, FaceTime, e–mail etc. for those we cannot currently support in person.
Slateford Green Staff Mobile: 07946619756 / 07939017822
Slateford Office: 0131 442 6924
Slateford Email: supportservices@deafaction.org
Youth Service:
Our activities are now all being run online Pre-planned Residential Camp for July has been cancelled.
Nationwide
BSL courses:
Continuing to provide BSL classes via online video conferencing platforms. Using Zoom as of week beginning 23/03/20. The suitability of this learning platform will be continually reviewed.
BSL Interpreter duty:
Our Interpreter duty service will continue to run at the normal times, but instead of drop-in sessions at the Deaf Action office, we will be using WhatsApp video calls.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761
The interpreter will video call you through WhatsApp at your slot time.
Deaf Sector Partnership (British Sign Language)
We will continue working remotely to liaise with FE/HE students and public bodies with a view to carry out 12 outcomes allocated to us. Our team (Charlotte and Mark) will be meeting on Tuesday 31st March to determine what implications on the delivery will have.
Lipreading sessions
Classes have been stopped since week beginning 16/03/20. All freelance tutors have been informed and they have informed all the students in their classes. They have been creating practise sheets for them and been emailing to people, so they do not lose this skill during this current situation. All venues have been contacted and room booking cancelled.
BSL Video Production Service:
Service continuing to operate as long as possible. Editing work from footage already filmed is being worked on. Some work that was scheduled has been postponed due to the current situation but will resume when appropriate. Please continue making requests for BSL translation work to multimedia@deafaction.org
As the nation battles the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, we are determined to be there for the Deaf community, providing access to information and continuing to offer essential services . Please find updates to our services below by region.
As the nation battles the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, we are determined to be there for the Deaf community, providing access to information and continuing to offer essential services . Please find updates to our services below by region.
Together, we will get through this!
Aberdeenshire
Hearing Support Service
Drop-Ins:
Our regular drop-ins at Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Peterhead & Stonehaven have been cancelled until further notice.
Our Information, Advice & Guidance Workers can be contacted by phone, text or by e-mail to see how we can help in the meantime.
Sam Reid: 07772 105 015
Rosemary Mitchell: 07772 104 700
Email: aberdeenshire@deafaction.org
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives alone, for the purposes of:
- maintaining access to information (TV headphones or loops)
- allowing access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- amplified phones
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
For new referrals, please continue contacting us. We will see what we can do to help until the Government enforced restrictions have ended.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you or someone you know has run out of hearing aid batteries, please contact Audiology on 01224 556 158. Alternatively, please contact Sam Reid for further assistance.
Dundee City Council residents
Befriending Service /Sound Sense
We still are able to provide befriending service, by supporting clients and befrienders remotely via:
- A phone call, if clients are able to use the hearing aids
- A text, if they are happy with this mean of communication
- An e-mail, if they have access to the internet
- Videoconferencing such as Skype, FaceTime and/or Facebook chat for BSL users
- Facebook text chat
- Handwritten letter or a card
We will be sending links related to exercising to clients and befrienders. We will encourage befrienders to spare 30 mins a week or more, to make a huge difference to clients’ lives.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you need a replacement Hearing Aid Battery you have 3 options to have replacement batteries posted to your home.
1. NHS Tayside Audiology service: Tel 01382 596965 Monday to Friday, 09:00-12:30 & 13:30-16:00
2. Online: audiology.tayside2@nhs.net(link sends e-mail)
3. North East Sensory service : info@nesensoryservices.org(link sends e-mail)
4. If your hearing aid is from a private supplier you should contact them directly.
City of Edinburgh Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March and are contactable by FaceTime/What’s App with details above.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org.
BSL Interpreter Duty:
Our BSL Interpreting Duty Service is still running every Tuesday and Thursday using WhatsApp video calls.
Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot email bookings@deafaction.org
or text 07860018761.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761.
East Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
Midlothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
West Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients remotely. Please contact Sophia Cumming on 07967 641239 (What’s App text and/or chat).
We have stopped face to face duty sessions. Instead, contact us through FaceTime/What’s App on the phone number above.
Lothians & surrounding areas
Employability:
Face to face Employability meetings have been postponed. Please text/call/skype/e-mail our Employability Advisor, Carole Wallace on 07741 320 082 or carole.wallace@deafaction.org to arrange a consultation or our Administrator Carol McKay on 07795 338 231 or cmckay@deafaction.org for further information.
Outreach & Support Service
We are currently providing essential support only to those living at Slateford Green and those in the Lothian and surrounding areas who do not have a family/support network to rely on. The support we are continuing to provide includes shopping, picking up medication, emergency correspondence, and appointments. We continue to be open to communication through SMS, phone calls, FaceTime, e–mail etc. for those we cannot currently support in person.
Slateford Green Staff Mobile: 07946619756 / 07939017822
Slateford Office: 0131 442 6924
Slateford Email: supportservices@deafaction.org
Youth Service:
Our activities are now all being run online Pre-planned Residential Camp for July has been cancelled.
Nationwide
BSL courses:
Continuing to provide BSL classes via online video conferencing platforms. Using Zoom as of week beginning 23/03/20. The suitability of this learning platform will be continually reviewed.
BSL Interpreter duty:
Our Interpreter duty service will continue to run at the normal times, but instead of drop-in sessions at the Deaf Action office, we will be using WhatsApp video calls.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761
The interpreter will video call you through WhatsApp at your slot time.
Deaf Sector Partnership (British Sign Language)
We will continue working remotely to liaise with FE/HE students and public bodies with a view to carry out 12 outcomes allocated to us. Our team (Charlotte and Mark) will be meeting on Tuesday 31st March to determine what implications on the delivery will have.
Lipreading sessions
Classes have been stopped since week beginning 16/03/20. All freelance tutors have been informed and they have informed all the students in their classes. They have been creating practise sheets for them and been emailing to people, so they do not lose this skill during this current situation. All venues have been contacted and room booking cancelled.
BSL Video Production Service:
Service continuing to operate as long as possible. Editing work from footage already filmed is being worked on. Some work that was scheduled has been postponed due to the current situation but will resume when appropriate. Please continue making requests for BSL translation work to multimedia@deafaction.org
As the nation battles the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, we are determined to be there for the Deaf community, providing access to information and continuing to offer essential services . Please find updates to our services below by region.
Together, we will get through this!
Aberdeenshire
Hearing Support Service
Drop-Ins:
Our regular drop-ins at Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Peterhead & Stonehaven have been cancelled until further notice.
Our Information, Advice & Guidance Workers can be contacted by phone, text or by e-mail to see how we can help in the meantime.
Sam Reid: 07772 105 015
Rosemary Mitchell: 07772 104 700
Email: aberdeenshire@deafaction.org
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives alone, for the purposes of:
- maintaining access to information (TV headphones or loops)
- allowing access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- amplified phones
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
For new referrals, please continue contacting us. We will see what we can do to help until the Government enforced restrictions have ended.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you or someone you know has run out of hearing aid batteries, please contact Audiology on 01224 556 158. Alternatively, please contact Sam Reid for further assistance.
Dundee City Council residents
Befriending Service /Sound Sense
We still are able to provide befriending service, by supporting clients and befrienders remotely via:
- A phone call, if clients are able to use the hearing aids
- A text, if they are happy with this mean of communication
- An e-mail, if they have access to the internet
- Videoconferencing such as Skype, FaceTime and/or Facebook chat for BSL users
- Facebook text chat
- Handwritten letter or a card
We will be sending links related to exercising to clients and befrienders. We will encourage befrienders to spare 30 mins a week or more, to make a huge difference to clients’ lives.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you need a replacement Hearing Aid Battery you have 3 options to have replacement batteries posted to your home.
1. NHS Tayside Audiology service: Tel 01382 596965 Monday to Friday, 09:00-12:30 & 13:30-16:00
2. Online: audiology.tayside2@nhs.net(link sends e-mail)
3. North East Sensory service : info@nesensoryservices.org(link sends e-mail)
4. If your hearing aid is from a private supplier you should contact them directly.
City of Edinburgh Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March and are contactable by FaceTime/What’s App with details above.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org.
BSL Interpreter Duty:
Our BSL Interpreting Duty Service is still running every Tuesday and Thursday using WhatsApp video calls.
Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot email bookings@deafaction.org
or text 07860018761.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761.
East Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
Midlothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
West Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients remotely. Please contact Sophia Cumming on 07967 641239 (What’s App text and/or chat).
We have stopped face to face duty sessions. Instead, contact us through FaceTime/What’s App on the phone number above.
Lothians & surrounding areas
Employability:
Face to face Employability meetings have been postponed. Please text/call/skype/e-mail our Employability Advisor, Carole Wallace on 07741 320 082 or carole.wallace@deafaction.org to arrange a consultation or our Administrator Carol McKay on 07795 338 231 or cmckay@deafaction.org for further information.
Outreach & Support Service
We are currently providing essential support only to those living at Slateford Green and those in the Lothian and surrounding areas who do not have a family/support network to rely on. The support we are continuing to provide includes shopping, picking up medication, emergency correspondence, and appointments. We continue to be open to communication through SMS, phone calls, FaceTime, e–mail etc. for those we cannot currently support in person.
Slateford Green Staff Mobile: 07946619756 / 07939017822
Slateford Office: 0131 442 6924
Slateford Email: supportservices@deafaction.org
Youth Service:
Our activities are now all being run online Pre-planned Residential Camp for July has been cancelled.
Nationwide
BSL courses:
Continuing to provide BSL classes via online video conferencing platforms. Using Zoom as of week beginning 23/03/20. The suitability of this learning platform will be continually reviewed.
BSL Interpreter duty:
Our Interpreter duty service will continue to run at the normal times, but instead of drop-in sessions at the Deaf Action office, we will be using WhatsApp video calls.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761
The interpreter will video call you through WhatsApp at your slot time.
Deaf Sector Partnership (British Sign Language)
We will continue working remotely to liaise with FE/HE students and public bodies with a view to carry out 12 outcomes allocated to us. Our team (Charlotte and Mark) will be meeting on Tuesday 31st March to determine what implications on the delivery will have.
Lipreading sessions
Classes have been stopped since week beginning 16/03/20. All freelance tutors have been informed and they have informed all the students in their classes. They have been creating practise sheets for them and been emailing to people, so they do not lose this skill during this current situation. All venues have been contacted and room booking cancelled.
BSL Video Production Service:
Service continuing to operate as long as possible. Editing work from footage already filmed is being worked on. Some work that was scheduled has been postponed due to the current situation but will resume when appropriate. Please continue making requests for BSL translation work to multimedia@deafaction.org
As the nation battles the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, we are determined to be there for the Deaf community, providing access to information and continuing to offer essential services . Please find updates to our services below by region.
Together, we will get through this!
Aberdeenshire
Hearing Support Service
Drop-Ins:
Our regular drop-ins at Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Peterhead & Stonehaven have been cancelled until further notice.
Our Information, Advice & Guidance Workers can be contacted by phone, text or by e-mail to see how we can help in the meantime.
Sam Reid: 07772 105 015
Rosemary Mitchell: 07772 104 700
Email: aberdeenshire@deafaction.org
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives alone, for the purposes of:
- maintaining access to information (TV headphones or loops)
- allowing access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- amplified phones
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
For new referrals, please continue contacting us. We will see what we can do to help until the Government enforced restrictions have ended.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you or someone you know has run out of hearing aid batteries, please contact Audiology on 01224 556 158. Alternatively, please contact Sam Reid for further assistance.
Dundee City Council residents
Befriending Service /Sound Sense
We still are able to provide befriending service, by supporting clients and befrienders remotely via:
- A phone call, if clients are able to use the hearing aids
- A text, if they are happy with this mean of communication
- An e-mail, if they have access to the internet
- Videoconferencing such as Skype, FaceTime and/or Facebook chat for BSL users
- Facebook text chat
- Handwritten letter or a card
We will be sending links related to exercising to clients and befrienders. We will encourage befrienders to spare 30 mins a week or more, to make a huge difference to clients’ lives.
Hearing Aids batteries:
If you need a replacement Hearing Aid Battery you have 3 options to have replacement batteries posted to your home.
1. NHS Tayside Audiology service: Tel 01382 596965 Monday to Friday, 09:00-12:30 & 13:30-16:00
2. Online: audiology.tayside2@nhs.net(link sends e-mail)
3. North East Sensory service : info@nesensoryservices.org(link sends e-mail)
4. If your hearing aid is from a private supplier you should contact them directly.
City of Edinburgh Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March and are contactable by FaceTime/What’s App with details above.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org.
BSL Interpreter Duty:
Our BSL Interpreting Duty Service is still running every Tuesday and Thursday using WhatsApp video calls.
Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot email bookings@deafaction.org
or text 07860018761.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761.
East Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
Midlothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients, including adult support and protection issues.
Social work contact methods:
Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS/WhatsApp: 07775 620 757
Email: socialcare@deafaction.org
To receive direct support from social work team, please email socialcare@deafaction.org. For those who want to receive support from social work duty service, please contact our reception on 07775 620757 and they will pass on your number to the staff to contact you directly via an appropriate method of your preference during duty times.
We will stop face to face duty sessions after Thursday 26 March. We are offering a remote social work duty service every Thursday morning from 10am-12pm through facetime.
Please email socialcare@deafaction.org to arrange a facetime call.
Specialist Equipment:
We will maintain service for our most vulnerable existing clients. Repairs can be done if the client lives on their own for the purposes of: –
- maintaining access to information (Television amplifier or induction loop)
- continued access to your property (doorbells) – access for carers, deliveries of medication etc.
- maintaining smoke alarms (Health & Safety issue) if installed by Deaf Action.
We are unable to see any clients who live with another person or in any kind of sheltered housing/care home.
Please contact us on 0131 556 3128 (phone), 07775 620757 (text/What’s App chat) and/or specialistequipment@deafaction.org
West Lothian Council residents
Social Work:
We will continue providing support and advice to clients remotely. Please contact Sophia Cumming on 07967 641239 (What’s App text and/or chat).
We have stopped face to face duty sessions. Instead, contact us through FaceTime/What’s App on the phone number above.
Lothians & surrounding areas
Employability:
Face to face Employability meetings have been postponed. Please text/call/skype/e-mail our Employability Advisor, Carole Wallace on 07741 320 082 or carole.wallace@deafaction.org to arrange a consultation or our Administrator Carol McKay on 07795 338 231 or cmckay@deafaction.org for further information.
Outreach & Support Service
We are currently providing essential support only to those living at Slateford Green and those in the Lothian and surrounding areas who do not have a family/support network to rely on. The support we are continuing to provide includes shopping, picking up medication, emergency correspondence, and appointments. We continue to be open to communication through SMS, phone calls, FaceTime, e–mail etc. for those we cannot currently support in person.
Slateford Green Staff Mobile: 07946619756 / 07939017822
Slateford Office: 0131 442 6924
Slateford Email: supportservices@deafaction.org
Youth Service:
Our activities are now all being run online Pre-planned Residential Camp for July has been cancelled.
Nationwide
BSL courses:
Continuing to provide BSL classes via online video conferencing platforms. Using Zoom as of week beginning 23/03/20. The suitability of this learning platform will be continually reviewed.
BSL Interpreter duty:
Our Interpreter duty service will continue to run at the normal times, but instead of drop-in sessions at the Deaf Action office, we will be using WhatsApp video calls.
Interpreting duty service will be available at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Every Thursday: 10am – 12pm
To book a slot for interpreter duty, email bookings@deafaction.org or text 07860018761
The interpreter will video call you through WhatsApp at your slot time.
Deaf Sector Partnership (British Sign Language)
We will continue working remotely to liaise with FE/HE students and public bodies with a view to carry out 12 outcomes allocated to us. Our team (Charlotte and Mark) will be meeting on Tuesday 31st March to determine what implications on the delivery will have.
Lipreading sessions
Classes have been stopped since week beginning 16/03/20. All freelance tutors have been informed and they have informed all the students in their classes. They have been creating practise sheets for them and been emailing to people, so they do not lose this skill during this current situation. All venues have been contacted and room booking cancelled.
BSL Video Production Service:
Service continuing to operate as long as possible. Editing work from footage already filmed is being worked on. Some work that was scheduled has been postponed due to the current situation but will resume when appropriate. Please continue making requests for BSL translation work to multimedia@deafaction.org
