How an old sign of the times is keeping people connected

Forget the metaverse and virtual reality, a decades-old form of communication is keeping people connected at a very special service in Scotland.

Living Ambitions is part of Lifeways, the UK’s biggest provider of supported living services for people with complex needs.

At our Living Ambitions supported living service in Tollcross, Glasgow, we employ hearing impaired team members who are experts in British Sign Language (BSL).

Support workers Ivie Clelland (seen in the above image) and Ian Watson are giving the best possible support to deaf people at our supported living service, including 51-year-old Marcus.

Marcus, who also is autistic, found it difficult to mix with staff and the community when he first started living at the supported living service. But the appointment of deaf staff, who are better able to understand and support him, has made a massive difference.

‘Happy that I’m understood’

Marcus, communicating through an interpreter, said: “I feel happy that I’m understood and included. I’ve made new friends and get involved in more activities here. I also have a better relationship with the staff. All of this means I can get out more around my home and in the community.”

British Sign Language was officially developed in the 1960s but, despite having more than 115,000 people using it to communicate, didn’t become a recognised language until 2003.

Ivie has worked with Marcus since 2006. He said: “I’m very happy to be part of the team that supports him. I feel confident that he appreciates having deaf staff who understand what it means to be linguistically and culturally deaf.”

Ivie began his working life as a joiner before deciding on a career change working with people who are profoundly deaf.

‘A change of direction’

“It was quite a change of direction - but I am glad I did. In November, I will have been in post 21 years and in that time I have never wanted to work in another service. I know I’m valued and can contribute effectively to Marcus’s support which is very satisfying.”

He said the job can be challenging, especially being one of only two team members who have profound hearing impairments.

“But we have a great team who’ve all learned some British Sign Language to communicate with us and this has meant we have been able to explain Marcus’s own particular signs,” he added.

Ian, meanwhile, has worked with Marcus since 2019. He said: “His behaviours can be challenging, but I do feel very strongly that having deaf staff on shift brings a level of understanding, direct communication and empathy.”

Ian said he enjoys supporting a variety of people at the service, but there is a special satisfaction from working with Marcus. “He particularly enjoys watching signed conversations around him,” Ian said.

‘It is lovely to see him smile or laugh’

“He may not always join in, but I can see from his responses that he understands exactly what is being discussed. It is lovely to see him smile or laugh at something funny.

The approach at the service has created a supportive and empowering environment.

Sanchia Daly, who manages the service, said: “We’re so lucky to have Ivie and Ian. British Sign Language is a completely unique language and would be so difficult to train so the fact we have them makes an incredible difference.

“Marcus doesn’t speak completely in BSL, he also uses his own signs. Ivie made a video of some of the signs he uses so that all staff could understand what Marcus was saying on top of the communication support he gets from Ivie and Ian. It has helped him feel more included, less isolated and less frustrated.

“The difference for Marcus has been amazing. He used to spend all of his time in his bedroom, but now spends loads of times in the lounge and going out into the community.”

The service exemplifies Lifeways’ approach to person-centred support which helps lift people up to live more independently.

The service is part of the Glasgow South and East 2 area which was recently awarded a clean sweep of grade 5 (Very Good) ratings by Care Inspectorate Scotland.

 

About Living Ambitions and Lifeways:

Our Scottish services are run by Living Ambitions, part of the Lifeways Group, which delivers adult support services across the UK.

These services include supported living, residential care, outreach services, respite care and support at home, with the aim of helping people live as independently as possible.

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