WHAT SNOW!!!
January 11, 2010
Snowy Britain from Space
Despite the terrible weather we have managed to keep Centenary House open for business, due to the heroic efforts of our staff who have still managed to get into work. As always, our priority is the safety and well being of the people who use our services and this has been a key factor in making operational decisions that impact on our customers. For this reason, as well as transport problems, a wide variety of activities have been cancelled. It has proved impossible to keep Shire View open for services due to the adverse weather conditions making the access road and surrounding area so treacherous. However, we hope to resume services as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we have been contacting people – particularly the elderly and vulnerable – to ascertain whether they are safe, warm and have sufficient food/supplies as well as sending our staff out to people’s homes to provide a “friendly face” in these difficult times.
Any service-user experiencing difficulties or needing further information contact: Michelle Astbury on 07775 444017 (for Shire View) or Zoe Major on 07775 444006 (for Centenary House)
Rob Young, the Chief Executive of coHearentVision (the working name of Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People), says: “activities at Shire View will almost certainly remain cancelled this week with staff/volunteers concentrating on home visits to the most vulnerable/elderly of our customer groups. Particularly in relation to DeafBlind and people with a sight loss, Michelle will continue to put in place a program of visits this week. Our first priority will continue to be the safety of customers, volunteers and staff. Other Day Centre’s in the Region remain closed (or with limited operations) and we are liaising with them on a daily basis. Transport remains a problem and we are not in control of most of these resources however, Council minibuses are managing to collect customers they can get to safely. Our Communications Unit is open for customers who can get here (although only one has arrived so far today!). The Cyber Café at Centenary House is open: if you are in the area – come in and warm up have a hot drink!
Access to Shire View remains a problem. Centenary House much less so! However, one of the biggest dangers to individuals safety is probably the few yards from their front door to the kerbside as well vehicular access to side roads in residential areas where snow/ice remains a barrier to safe movement! Having now visited various customers, our risk assessment is to err on the side of safety by not encouraging people out of the warmth, safety and comfort of their homes. Given the profile of many of our customers, even the smallest fall/injury could have drastic long-term health and confidence effects. We are being equally cautious in relation to our Youth activities!
In the meantime, the home visits are providing social contact and enabling us to support vulnerable people with a sensory loss.
The situation is very weather-dependent and we are monitoring that situation very closely. Whilst it is easy to criticize decisions that have to be taken in advance, rather like some school closures, we will “play safe” for as long as we determine that such a policy is in the best interests of our customers.
If there is an improvement in the weather we will be trying to coordinate a “lunch trip” later in the week for customers who are more able to get out of their homes.
Our Department Managers and their staff are really doing a great job in relation to our main centre-based activities. Social Work, equipment support, sensory awareness training and Interpreting assignments are all being done to the best of our team’s ability. There have also been tremendous efforts to clear snow/ice from CH and SV.
Zoe Major (0777 5 444 006) and Michelle Astbury (0777 5 444 017) remain the main points of contact for up-to-date information regarding Centenary House and Shire View respectively”.
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