My story

Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page! My name is Jennifer Smith. I am hearing. I recently started learning British Sign Language as part of my Deaf Studies degree course at Bristol University. (You can find me on Twitter: @word_in_hand).

On Sunday 8th July I ran the British 10k in London to raise money for SignHealth (http://www.signhealth.org.uk/). Thank you to everyone who sponsored me! Without your support I doubt I would have finished the run, particularly as it rained so heavily that day! 

It is not too late to donate to SignHealth! My page will remain active until 31st December 2012. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. I would love to reach my £300 fundraising target!

Why have I chosen to support SignHealth?

There is very little health information available online in BSL as it is generally assumed that written English is accessible to everyone. This important information should be available to Deaf BSL users in their first language. SignHealth work to improve access to health information. SignHealth's website includes BSL videos giving information about a range of health issues.

In GP surgeries and hospitals, Deaf patients are often expected to rely on lip-reading or written English (particularly in emergency situations). Clear communication between patients and medical staff is crucial to avoid potentially life-threatening misunderstandings. Difficulties in accessing BSL/English Interpreters can lead to Deaf people having no choice but to use a hearing relative to 'act as interpreter' in what should be a private conversation between a patient and their doctor. SignHealth's online interpreting service (http://www.signtranslate.com/) enables clear communication between Deaf patients and medical staff, preventing misunderstandings, without comprimising privacy.

Sign Health also offer one-to-one psychological therapy, conducted in BSL, with a therapist who has an understanding of Deaf culture.

Within the British Deaf community, tales of bad experiences with GPs and in hospitals are worryingly common. Unfortunately, these shocking stories seem to be accepted as 'the norm'. This situation is unacceptable! This needs to change!

SignHealth carry out research into Deaf health.

SignHealth campaign to improve access to health information, and healthcare, for Deaf people.

SignHealth provide vital services and support to the UK Deaf community. 

How can you help?

£5 will pay for a week worth of meals for a Ugandan child to attend SignHealth's specialist Deaf School.

£10 will buy a webcam to help a health professional and Deaf patient to communicate.

£20 pays for an hour of outreach support for a Deaf person with mental health issues.

£50 could cover the cost of overnight essentials for a Deaf woman and child escaping abuse.

I am aiming to raise £300 for SignHealth. I would greatly appreciate your donation, of any amount - it all adds up!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast, and secure. All donations are sent directly to the charity.

If you are a UK taxpayer, ticking the Gift Aid box will allow SignHealth to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation, at no extra cost to you.

Thank you for your support! :-)

Jennifer

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BSL Videos:

Click on the thumbnail in the gallery below to see my (attempt at a) BSL video about fundraising for SignHealth.

 

Video clip of SignHealth on See Hear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Xna3eObXI  


Other video clips from See Hear:

- Deaf people's experiences with the NHS:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00c07f4

- Mental health issues within the Deaf community: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mcvcs


BSL video clip - SignHealth's 'BSL Healthy Minds' service:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebj0nh8Q7bU&feature=related


BSL translation of recently published 'Deafness might damage your health' article: 

 http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2811%2961670-X/fulltext 

Article by Andrew Alexander, Dr Paddy Ladd, and Steve Powell (SignHealth's Chief Executive). BSL translation presented by Clive Mason.

 


My gallery 3

My Teams

My company

My charity

SignHealth

SignHealth

Charity Registration No. 1011056

SignHealth is the National Healthcare Charity for Deaf People. SignHealth are committed to bringing better healthcare and equality of service provision to Deaf people through campaigning, working in partnership with other organisations and the provision of specialist services for Deaf people. These services include health promotion, counselling, advocacy, outreach and supported living.

Donations 24

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Good luck!!! You're going to do a great job :)

Donation by Henna on 24/06/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good luck Jennifer. I hope the run goes well and that you reach your target.

Donation by David, Jean and Tommy Cooling xxxx on 05/06/12

Donation by Philippa Smith on 10/05/12

£10.00

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Good luck Jen, Keep those legs moving! :D x

Donation by Frances Everingham on 04/05/12

£3.00

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Have fun, good cause! :)

Donation by Abigail Vallis on 04/05/12

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Good luck, Jennifer.

Donation by Michiko Kaneko on 04/05/12

Donation by Anonymous on 26/04/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good luck, Jennifer! Really well done for doing it. Hope you have fun!

Donation by Karin Hurst and family on 22/04/12

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Donation by Stephen and Judith Joy on 17/04/12

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Donation by Peter and Kate Jaques on 17/04/12

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Donation by Barbara Wilkinson on 16/04/12

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Well done for fundraising Jennifer and Good Luck for the run. Enjoy it!! love from The Goldsmiths

Donation by Jayne Goldsmith on 13/04/12

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Good luck with your fundraising. Well done for raising money and good luck with the run. Love Gavin, Becky, Callum, Tilly and Oscar

Donation by Rebecca Tisshaw on 08/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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We hope you'll meet your target. Best wishes for the run.

Donation by Dale & Jan on 06/04/12

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Donation by Viv and George on 04/04/12

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Donation by Marion Pickup on 02/04/12

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Good luck with the run love from Grandma

Donation by Grandma on 24/03/12

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Donation by Helen May on 22/03/12

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Donation by Helen Trill on 22/03/12

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Good cause. Hope you make it without too many aches & pains afterwards! Have fun :) Auntie Linda & Uncle Mark x

Donation by Mark Deacon on 21/03/12

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Good Luck Jennifer!

Donation by Maggie Dunwell on 21/03/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Sorry it can't be more, GOOD LUCK JENN!

Donation by Amy Claridge on 21/03/12

£3.00

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Good Luck Jennifer - it's a good one to do, with crowds the whole route. Enjoy!

Donation by Ellie White on 20/03/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good luck with the 10K - we will be thinking of you! We hope you reach your target for this great charity. lots of love Mum and Dad

Donation by Mum and Dad on 19/03/12

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£251.00
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£251.00
  • Gift Aid£42.50

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.