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Caithness Deaf Care |
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| Co-ordinator
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Deirdre Aitken
Caithness deaf Care, Wick at The
Sensory Centre, 23 Telford Street Wick KW1 5EQ - open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.00 am - 2.00 pm Caithness Deaf Care, Thurso at The
Sensory Centre, 9 Riverside Place, Thurso KW14 8BZ - open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.00 am - 2.00 pm We also run rural clinics quarterly in Halkirk, Watten, Lybster, Dunbeath and Canisbay. A telephone answering machine is in operation at the Wick Deaf Care Centre when the Co-ordinator is unable to come to the telephone and out with opening hours – the number is Wick (01955 606170). A text phone is also in operation for those who cannot use a standard or amplified telephone and have access to a minicom. It also has an answer phone facility out with opening hours – the number is Wick (01955 606671). Chairman Dr P Robertson 01955 602728 |
Latest From Caithness Deaf Care
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What Does CDC Do? We
offer - Minor Repairs by Audiology and referrals to them for Hearing Tests. Demonstration of special equipment from door bells, fire alarms to TV listening devices. Advice on equipment and how to get it. Visits to nursing/residential homes, day care centres and hospitals as well as to individuals in thier home. Training to clients and organisations in lip-reading, basic sign language, deaf awareness training and communication tactics. CAITHNESS DEAF CENTRE VOLUNTEERS The work of CDC could not be done without the willing help of volunteers. The volunteers visit people with hearing loss, either at home, in hospital, or in residential/nursing homes. They provide maintenance of hearing aids, support, advice and often a friendly chat and sympathetic ear. The volunteer’s work under the guidance of the Co-ordinator, who will help with advice, any problems encountered and provide support and training. How much time is expected of a Volunteer? The majority of our volunteers give approximately 3 hours of their time, one morning each month to carry out their visit to their designated person/hospital/residential home. We are now looking for more volunteers to expand our service to hearing impaired people who are housebound and isolated. These volunteers would each have one or two people assigned to them, to visit once a month, to provide maintenance and support services. What training is provided? Before new volunteers carry out any visits, they are provided with full training. After training, to help new volunteers gain confidence and experience, they are paired up with a more experienced volunteer or the co-ordinator until they feel ready to carry out visits on their own. Training is provided in Basic deaf Awareness and Communications Skills (sign language is not necessary), carried out by the co-ordinator, and in Hearing Aid Maintenance, carried out by Mrs Sheila Mackay, Senior Audiologist, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. The venue for training sessions is usually the Deaf Care Centre in Wick, but according to demand other venues in Caithness could be considered. Regular refresher courses are held to keep volunteers up to date. What skills or experience are expected? We are looking for volunteers who have a genuine interest in people with hearing loss. No formal qualifications are necessary as full training will be given, just a caring and patient nature and the willingness and ability to form friendly relationships with our clients. Our volunteers are trusted people and we need them to be reliable and observe full confidentiality concerning clients. What payments are there in any? All out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed e.g. travel expenses. Volunteers are insured for personal accident and public liability. Any other benefits? There will be the opportunity to attend classes in lip reading skills. Volunteering is very rewarding experience. You can make new friends, learn new skills, gain work experience, help others and feel you are putting something back into the community. Most of all it is fun. Interested? Contact Deirdre Aitken WHO RUNS CDC A Co-ordinator, who is responsible to the Board of Directors, oversees and develops all the services provided by CDC. She also trains and supports the volunteers staff, and is assisted in the Deaf centre by a Clerical assistant. Other Organisations DeafBlind UK, Scottish Office, 21 Alexandra Avenue, Lenzie, G66 5BG |
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