Text transcript of BSL video:
Welcome to the BDA Midlands update.
I am Robin Ash, Access and Inclusion Officer responsible for the BSL Charter. You might have noticed that I always work alone in Midlands and have for the last four years, I am finally pleased to announce that I have a new colleague. She will be working for the BDA and working closely with me – can you explain who you are.
Hello my name is Siobhan Charnay and this is my sign name. I am the Access and Inclusion Officer responsible for Advocacy.
Welcome to the BDA! I am sure you will all want to know who Siobhan is and where she is from. Can you tell us who you are and where you are from?
I am from Wolverhampton and I have just finished a Degree in Law which I enjoyed very much.
Congratulations on completing your degree in Law.
Thank you
Siobhan is here to focus on a project for advocacy which has been funded by a Lottery funding that the BDA received. Can you tell us what the advocacy project will be about?
The Big Lottery has funded a three year project for advocacy. This means I will be supporting the Deaf Community and Individuals who need support to go to an appointment at the Doctors or bank or you have received a letter that you don’t understand I can support you, give you the information and the options available to you, then you can decide what to do. I will also be setting up information sessions where I will bring in speakers to talk to the Deaf Community on information that the Deaf Community wants. The Advocacy project will cover the areas of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. We will recruit volunteers to become advocates themselves which means more coverage for the Deaf Community. The project is planned to start in May 2016.
This sounds very interesting and I look forward to see what happens in the near future. So if you want an update or wish to know more about the advocacy project keep an eye on BDA website or Facebook for updates.
Thank you, Siobhan
You may be wondering now that we have Siobhan and other news about new members of staff, what is the situation with the Derby Office, I am pleased to say that we have finally moved to a new office at The College Business Centre, Uttoxeter New Road, Derby – close to the City centre. You might be wondering what has happened to the old office that was based at Derby Deaf Club, we are going to continue to use the old office as a drop in office so if you need to see Siobhan or myself we can meet there as this new office will expand – why is that, Siobhan?
The BDA are excited to announce that they are recruiting more staff and the old office is too small so this is why we have the new office.
This sounds great. This means that Derby will be the office base for the BDA in the Midlands.
Before I finish I would like to take this opportunity to say a big Thank you to Derby Deaf Club for all the support they have given to me and the BDA over the last four years and the BDA will continue to support the Derby Deaf Club by using the office at the Deaf Club.
Thank you.
Robin Ash & Siobhan Charnay
Access & Inclusion Officers – Midlands
