World of Work

Earlier this month we were invited into one of our local schools to talk to the Primary 7 classes about working in Social Care.

Using the equipment from our Dementia Interpreter Training, we were able to let the pupils experience what it might be like to have some difficulties with mobility, communication and loss of senses such as hearing and sight.

The students all had a turn at wearing the equipment, while a classmate led them around the room with explicit instructions to stay silent. After the activity we asked the students to discuss how the experience made them feel.

Everyone agreed that is was quite scary as they didn’t know if they were going to walk into something or fall and be unable to put their hands out to stop themselves. When asked what the leaders could have done to make them feel safer, they identified that if they had been able to talk to them and reassure them and explain where they were going, it would have been much better.

We also discussed as a group how important is is to be able to trust the person supporting you and how it might feel if it was stranger rather than a classmate who had been leading them around.

The second activity involved placing something between their teeth or clamping their teeth together then trying to read phrases off a card. Their partner then had to try to understand what they were saying.

Other challenges to the situation were introduced, such wearing a face mask, wearing headphones, standing further away, or walking around.

On discussion, the word FRUSTRATED came up a lot. Those trying to talk were getting extremely annoyed that they were not being understood and the ones trying to listen were really upset that they couldn’t work out the message.

As a group we spoke about how these emotions may cause conflict and distress for both service users and support staff and how different methods of communication can be used to make things easier for everyone involved.

We were incredibly impressed by the attitudes of the students. They all demonstrated understanding and enthusiasm throughout the activities and discussions.

Thank you to Grange Primary School for inviting us in and to all the pupils who took part!