Press release issued: 18 May 2010.
Don't miss the bus if you have sight or hearing loss and live in the Borders! You could be set to benefit from a raft of new services when two major Scottish charities join forces in the region today.
The Royal National Institute of Deaf People Scotland and the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland are launching a partnership that will offer support in areas such as education, employment and training, and will also work to establish more social and leisure networks.
And to support the new, integrated service, Action for Blind People's mobile Sight Loss Information Service is visiting five towns in the Borders, starting in Peebles today at Eastgate car-park from 10am - 4pm, moving on to Galashiels, Duns, Eyemouth and Hawick over the next few days.
Action's mobile is packed with the latest aids and equipment to improve daily life for people with sight or hearing loss - from vibrating alarm-clocks and personal listeners, to talking microwaves and tin-lids. Meanwhile, staff can offer impartial, practical advice and support - and even replace the batteries in your hearing-aid.
Lesley Stewart, project coordinator for RNID Scotland in the Borders said: "RNID Scotland volunteers are standing by to give advice and practical help to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. We know from our previous work in the area that there is a demand for information and assistance on issues relating to deafness. This new project gives us the chance to reach more people across the Borders and give them support on a range of subjects that will benefit their quality of life. Anyone who is interested should hop on board the bus and find out more when it comes to your town!"
Jane Coates from RNIB Scotland said: "Thanks to two-year funding from the Scottish Government, we will be able to significantly extend our services at a more grassroots level in the Borders and we are very excited by this prospect.
"Given the right support, people with sight loss can retain their jobs or find new ones. School-age children and their families can also sometimes need help to ensure each child reaches their full potential. For example, we have a stock of aids and equipment that schools can borrow to see which one is best suited to the needs of individual pupils.
"As well as this, up to 80 per cent of people with a learning disability may also have some degree of sight and/or loss - but often this can go undiagnosed. Again, our specialist team can offer practical advice and help."
Lesley Stuart and Jane Coates are eager to hear from people with hearing or sight loss and their families as to what sort of services would best meet their needs. Lesley can be contacted on Lesley.stewart@rnid.org.uk or by telephone on 01896 759020. Jane can be contacted at jane.coates@rnib.org.uk or on telephone 0131 652 3178.
Christine Grahame, MSP for the South of Scotland and chair of the health and sports committee in the Scottish Parliament, welcomed the new partnership. "I am delighted to welcome this initiative. I know from my own experience at my supermarket surgeries that people are much more likely to seek help and assistance when you take yourself to them rather than wait for them to come to you. I am sure it will be well attended by people who would not otherwise have sought help and advice."
* Action for Blind People's mobile Sight Loss Information Service will visit Peebles (May 18, 10am - 4pm at Eastgate Car Park), Galashiels (May 19, 10am-4pm at Green Street), Duns (May 20, from 10am-12noon at Market Square), Eyemouth (May 20, from 2pm-4pm at the Co-op car-park) and Hawick (May 25 10am-4pm at Common Haugh).