Breathing Space deaf service

Advisers appointed for new web-cam support service

Our ground-breaking web-cam support service for deaf people in Scotland has appointed its first online advisers. 

Breathing Space recently held interviews for two posts and the successful candidates will soon be joining the team in Glasgow. 

People who are feeling down or depressed will be able to contact the advisers via web cam and use British Sign Language to discuss their concerns in confidence. 

Relationship difficulties, mental health worries, stress and anxiety concerns are just some of the issues that can be tackled as well as how being deaf affects people's day-to-day lives. 

The advisers will give advice and can also point people in the direction of appropriate services in their local area through the Breathing Space online support group directory. 

The one-year pilot project is being supported by NHS 24, Scottish Council on Deafness and Deaf Connections and is being funded by the Scottish Government's e-health department. 

Breathing Space national coordinator Tony McLaren said: “The service will be able to help tackle mental health concerns amongst the deaf community in Scotland. 

"It's vital anyone who is struggling to cope can access support no matter who they are or where they live and this new web-cam service can potentially allow thousands of deaf Scots to get the support they need. 

“We’re delighted by the progress the initiative has made and we’re excited as its launch date approaches.” 

Stephen Anderson, operations manager for Breathing Space, said: "This new project will allow deaf people in Scotland to discuss their problems and mental wellbeing with a trained specialist in a safe space. 

“We hope if people feel they need to discuss how they’re feeling, they will get on their computers and chat with our advisers.”