Learning to sign

Staff from Specsavers across Scotland are learning sign language so they can better communicate with hearing impaired patients.

A total of 15 employees are in the process of completing a 12-week Introduction to sign language course with the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

The group, comprising of staff from 10 practices, enrolled on the course after expressing an interest in sign language to support them in their day-to-day roles interacting with patients.

The course is supported by Glasgow Clyde College and funded by the Scottish Apprenticeship Levy.

On completion, staff at the East Kilbride, Greenock, Hamilton, Kirkintilloch, Lanark, Motherwell, Newlands, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow Fort and Glasgow Trongate branches of Specsavers will receive a certificate in British Sign Language.

Senior lecturer at Glasgow Clyde College, Kyle Bettley, said: “I’ve been blown away with the enthusiasm of the Specsavers staff and how quickly they’re developing their signing skills. The course is a great opportunity to increase deaf awareness in partnership with a company that is proactively seeking to enable people living with hearing difficulties, and help them to have a positive experience in its stores.”