The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
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The Stop Smoking Service has teamed up with Deaf Services Lanarkshire (DSL) to provide a support group for the deaf community of Lanarkshire.
Thought to be the first of its kind in Lanarkshire, the group runs on a Wednesday morning from 10.30 to 11.30 at DSL’s base in the Fountain Business Centre, Coatbridge. Anyone who wants to stop smoking and uses British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language is welcome to join and can drop in. There are always plenty of interpreters on hand to help since all DSL staff is trained in BSL.
Kate McGhee and Michelle Bridges from the Stop Smoking Service run the group session while DSL staff simultaneously interprets. Kate said, “We’ve been running the group since January and so far it’s going very well with really good feedback from the clients. Our aim is to ensure an inclusive approach to providing support and minimise any barriers that might prevent someone from accessing the service. We can also arrange individual support for anyone who needs signing support but can’t make the Wednesday morning class. Anyone interested should text ‘Advice’ to 81066.”
Carol Watson from Coatbridge joined the group three weeks ago and since then has stopped smoking. She said, “The group is really good. I couldn’t have done this without access to an interpreter or the support of the group. I really enjoy coming here – They’re a friendly and sociable bunch of people.”
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