STUC. Scottish Union Learning. The learning force behind Scotland's workers.

BSL Video

This video was produced as part of the Sign Here initiative, a deaf awareness and British Sign Language (BSL) project for union members across the Highlands & Islands which started in 2005 and came to completion at the end of 2007. The project was managed by the then STUC Highlands & Islands Skills & Lifelong Learning Team and was supported by UNISON, the public sector union, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the Rail Union Learning project. Eight employers from across the Highlands & Islands were also partners in the initiative. And, the initiative was also supported through the European Social Fund and the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF). This video which was produced as part of the Sign Here project, provides information in BSL about the Sign Here initiative.

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A comprehensive description of the Sign Here initiative can be downloaded here.

For further information on union learning in the Highlands & Islands, contact:
Pam Urquhart
Development Officer - Highlands & Islands
Scottish Union Learning
Unison Building
53 Shore Street
Inverness, IV1 1NF
Tel/Fax: 01463 248 905
or
send an Email

Sign Here Partners

Video Text

The following text is signed on the BSL video:

Welcome to the STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Website.

This video has been preduced to let you know about the Sign Here project - A Highlands & Islands Trade Union Learning Initiative.

During 2005, the (then) STUC Highlands & Islands Skills and Lifelong Learning Team in partnership with Unison ( the public sector trade union) the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the Rail Union Learning project and Highland Deaf Communication Project developed the Sign Here initiative, a deaf awareness project for union members across the Highlands & Islands. The project was successful in gaining funding from the European Social Fund and was also supported by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF).

The Sign Here initiative came about because unions felt their members would benefit from learning to communicate more effectively with fellow deaf workers and deaf people who use the services of their workplace.

During 2005, the Sign Here project organised a Deaf awareness road show aboard the MOLI Bus (Mobile Online Learning Initiative) bus and visited workplaces across the Highlands & Islands. Following the road show 21 x 3 hour BSL taster courses were organised for workers across the Highlands & Islands. Over 300 workers from across the Highlands & Islands participated in the road show and taster courses.

Given the success of the Sign Here initiative during 2005, the (then) STUC Highlands & Islands Skills & Lifelong Learning Team submitted a further application for ESF funding in February 2006 to develop the initiative during 2006/2007. The bid was successful and has the continued support of the three unions, Unison, FBU and the Rail Union Learning project. The project once again received support from the Scottish Union Learning Fund and eight new partners, all employers in the Highlands & Islands, became part of the project. The eight employers are the Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service, Highland Council, Caledonian MacBrayne, Grampian Fire & Rescue Service, First Scotrail, NHS Highland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Scottish Ambulance.

During 2006 and 2007, workers in the Highlands & Islands have been offered the opportunity to take part in one of a number of 10-hour, 21-hour, 31-hour or 51 hour BSL courses, which are accredited through CACDP (Council for Advancement of Communication with Deaf People). Part of the 31-hour course allowed workers the opportunity to learn 10 hours of BSL specific to their workplace.

This video was also produced as part of the Sign Here project.