FLO Training - Deaf Awareness
Did you know that one in six people in Scotland have some degree
of hearing loss?
Through our jobs, we may encounter people who are deaf or hard of hearing and it’s important that we provide an accessible service to all service users.
Understanding some of the barriers and issues that people who are deaf or hard of hearing frequently encounter can help us to improve the services that we provide.
Citizens Advice Scotland and See Hear Highland Education and Learning Service (SHHELS) have produced an online course that looks at what it means to be deaf or hard of hearing and explores practical tactics and provides tools that you can use to make communication easier.
This online course is available to all staff through FLO within the Wellbeing section.
We would encourage all staff to complete this course and improve their understanding of how to communicate with anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing
https://connect.dgcouncil.net/article/17906/Flexible-Learning-Online-FLO-
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Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) Risk Assessment
Indications suggest that minority ethnic communities may face higher risks from COVID-19, particularly for those who have an underlying health condition.
In July 2020 we launched a Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) Risk Assessment to identify staff at greater risk and to manage and reduce the level of risk.
If you haven’t already completed a Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) Risk Assessment, we would encourage you to request one from your line manager. These risk assessments are applicable to anyone who views themselves as BAME, or anyone who lives with or cares for someone who identifies as BAME.
This is an opportunity to highlight any concerns you may have with your line manager and discuss any support mechanisms that can be put in place to allow you to carry out your job safely. Clear actions should emerge from the process and be continually monitored by both the individual and your line manager.
Staff should ensure their sensitive information within ‘My Details’ are up to date, please be assured that this information is kept strictly confidential however it does allow us to gain the best possible description of the people who work within our organisation.
Further information and a copy of the BAME Risk Assessment can be found here.
Stroll in the Park Restarts
The first Stroll in the Park since lockdown took place on Tuesday 18 August at the glorious (albeit wet) Crichton grounds in Dumfries.
Stroll in the Park walks is aimed at anyone who is living with or recovering from a long-term condition. These low-level walks are ideal for anyone wishing to continue their recovery or maintain a level of fitness by means of developing strength and balance, confidence and enjoying being part of a group of like-minded people.
Planning for restart of the Stroll involved following Scottish Government and Paths for All Health Walk guidelines. Due to new social distancing guidelines our walks are now limited to 5 households which meant that only 4 walkers could attend with a walk leader. Thankfully, we were able to accommodate 7 walkers on Tuesday, utilising 2 walk leaders.
The Stroll in the Parks, which are organised by the Council’s Health and Wellbeing team, are not only important in terms of physical wellbeing, they also provide a very valuable social opportunity for people to get together, which many of the walkers commented has been a real boost to their daily routine and is a very valued change from the ‘four walls’ of home.
If you would like to join the Stroll in the Park you must book your space by contacting either of the following;
Email: ActiveCommunities@dumgal.gov.uk / Tel: 07921038688
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Museum and Galleries Re-open
Two of the Council’s Arts Centres and Galleries reopened to the public on Tuesday 18 August. Gracefield Arts Centre and Kirkcudbright Galleries opened their doors following several months of lockdown. Staff had been preparing the facilities for several weeks and were delighted to welcome visitors back.
Kirkcudbright Galleries ‘sold out’ many of their visitor slots in the first few days of opening. They’re hosting a unique exhibition by Ewan McClure, artist in residence at Broughton House.
Gracefield’s current exhibition in Gallery 2 (Gallery 1 remains closed) is ‘Human Machines’ by Johnny White and Amanda Wray, a humorous and interactive exhibition of kinetic sculptures using recycled materials and found objects salvaged from tips or sourced from junk shops, Freecycle and eBay. Johnny and Amanda make thought-provoking and humorous sculptures, which appeal to all ages.
Numbers at both venues are limited to allow both social distancing and to manage visitor numbers. The venues are open Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm. Entry is free but for the time being customers can only book online:
Kirkcudbright: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/kirkcudbright-galleries
Gracefield: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/gracefield-arts-centre
Both cafés open on 1 September.
Remember to wear your face covering, sanitise your hands and follow the one-way system.
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 RBCFT Reopening Survey (closes 26 August)
Staff at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre in Dumfries would love to hear your thoughts on reopening. They cannot wait to welcome you back and to start enjoying films on the big screen again – from the comfort of their new red seats.
Before the staff welcome you back, they want to ask you about your film watching experience during lockdown, how you want the cinema to feel when you return, and what safety precautions you would like to see.
Please follow the link below to fill in our audience survey. It should take around 15 minutes to complete. There’s little time left to complete the survey though as it closes on 26 August:
COMPLETE THE SURVEY
https://populuslive.online-host.solutions/ASP/P016814/loginVenue.asp?code=0205
The RBCFT will open its doors again with Sunday matinee screenings in late September, and work towards more frequent screenings in October. The film screening programme will be published online and via email prior to reopening.
#ClearYourHead
The Scottish Government’s #ClearYourHead campaign was launched during the coronavirus pandemic to help people look after their mental health, providing practical tips on the things they can do to feel better.
As restrictions ease the campaign focuses on encouraging people to keep up some of the good habits they developed during the pandemic to help them cope.
Active Scotland’s campaign:
- reassures people that it’s actually alright not to feel okay at the moment
- reminds people that making time to move more is just one of the things you can do to feel better
- inspires people to find new ways of increasing activity levels
- signposts the campaign as a source of information and support for those in need
As well as tips and ideas, the campaign website – clearyourhead.scot – signposts helplines for those who need to talk to someone about how they’re feeling, including NHS24, Breathing Space, SAMH and the Samaritans.
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