The Power of Communication

GTDT have continued to deliver courses to hundreds of learners during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of which was a 6 week online British Sign Language for Beginners course.
Sign language is a way for the hearing impaired to communicate with most people. When you sign you not only express the words, but your body language and feelings too. Benefits of sign language include improving your peripheral vision and reaction time but more importantly allows you to improve and emphasise the way you communicate.

This course provided all of our learners with a CPD Certified Certificate as well as in some instances introduced learners to a new culture and community. One of our learners enrolled as she has a niece who is deaf and she wishes to be able to communicate with her. Another learner wanted to secure a job as a Teaching Assistant within a Special Educational needs setting so felt that this qualification would enhance her CV to land her dream job.

One learner Shaun used to work with someone who was deaf and was never able to fully communicate with them. He has also recently found out that he is slowly losing his hearing so he decided to enrol on the course to learn skills and knowledge around British Sign Language.

Shaun really enjoyed the course, when we were talking to him during his last week on the course he said "I really enjoyed being on this course, especially because it was online so it gave me the flexibility to complete it on the days and times that suited me. It was a lot of information to take in and I advise anybody who is considering taking the course to take their time and go over each section a few times before taking the assessment. I have not undertaken any educational courses for many years so I am proud to have finished this course and have received my certificate. I plan to continue learning sign language and am now open to taking other educational courses too."

Covid 19 - sharing the message with the Roma communities

We all know that in the last weeks there was been a small increase of coronavirus in the Princes Park area amongst all age groups. We were thinking about the vulnerable groups that leave around the area like the Roma communities. They need to have access to this information to stay safe and to protect themselves and their families.

We work in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Our Liverpool and take 2 videos one in Romanian and the other one in Romani. Please click to see: Romanian and Romani

Today we organise an  "awareness walk" about the COVID-19 information in the Roma Community. Was nice to see them and to share the message. It was great to have a chat, keeping the social distance.

We are still here to ensure that their receive the right message about COVID-19 and how they can do their bit and to follow these simple steps: wash your hands regularly and keep 2 metres apart, to keep safe all the community.

Lock Down Deliveries

Last week we delivered our last food & hygiene packs to vulnerable and shielding residents. We started doing these packs back in March when lock down was first introduced and we never anticipated that we would still be doing it until the end of July.

We wouldn't have been able to do any of the deliveries without the team of volunteers that we had who came together and really helped us out so we just would like to say a HUGE thank you to you all!

L8 Slow Food - Slow Cooker Project

Our L8 Slow Food - Slow Cooker Project came about following discussions about the food and hygiene parcels we have been providing as part of our COVID-19 support to local residents.

As we prepared for the lockdown restrictions to start easing, we had to think about how we support people as our delivery services tapered down and we try to get back to a more normal way of operating.  We know that the people we have been supporting have needed a bit of extra help for a whole host of reasons whether they have been shielding, furloughed or adjusting to the whole family being at home all day.  So the idea for a slow cooker project was born - as a way of saving money, creating a more sustainable way of cooking for the whole family, learning new recipes and healthy eating tips.

We have created a distance learning course using our Liverpool Adult Learning Service community learning funding that provides learners with a FREE slow cooker, recipe cards and FREE veg bags.  Learners will how to cook with their slow cooker, but also:

• how slow cooking can save money
• basic food hygiene tips
• basic herb and vegetable growing skills
• how to cook healthy meals for one or for a family using a slow cooker

And the response was incredible!  Over 65 people took part and we already have a waiting list for the new academic year.

Our learners have provided us with the following comments and pictures.

"I just want to say that the presentation booklet GTDT did for the slow cooker course is fabulous and very professional and the shop where the veg came from has got a convert!"

"Just thought you might like to see my second attempt at slow cooking (first was a veg curry which was good but I had forgotten the oil so it was a bit dry).   The Lasagne however was great. My daughter is encouraging me by eating it! And she says it's amazing!"

"This is really safe to use compared to my cooker and with my health problems will make cooking a joy again, instead of a chore"

"Can I please say a big thank you for my slow cooker and delicious vegetables! Such a wonderful initiative and valuable for the health and wellness of our community!"

COVID-19 Cases in Princes Park Ward

There has been an increase in coronavirus cases in the Princes Park area amongst all age groups. 

Advice is now being given to people living in the area about reducing the risks of spreading the illness.

Director of Public Health, Matt Ashton, said: “You, your family and friends may feel fine but without realising it, members of the community including young people could be spreading Coronavirus. We all need to do our bit to ensure the people we love and care about don’t catch the virus, become very ill, or die. Stopping the spread of the virus also ensures that Liverpool doesn’t have to put in place a local lockdown.”

To help get life back to normal as soon as possible, people are being asked to do their bit and follow these simple steps:

• Wash their hands regularly
• Avoid crowds and importantly socially distance when mixing with people from other households - this includes not having family gatherings in people’s homes
• Keep 2 metres apart where possible when out and about
• Wear face coverings on public transport and in shops, and when you can’t keep 2 metres apart.

For Muslim communities celebrating Eid, here is some extra guidance:

• Time: Allow enough time between congregations and keep khutbahs short
• No hugs: Give Salaam or Eid greetings without hugging or shaking hands
• Gatherings: If you are meeting other families, keep the numbers to a minimum and meet outdoors

Crucially, stay at home if you have symptoms, don’t mix with other people and get tested. Symptoms include any of the following: a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Everyone with symptoms, regardless of immigration status can book a free test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus,  or call a new dedicated phone number 119. It’s really quick and easy to do, but remember only to leave the house to get this test.