Scheme Manager learns sign language to help tenant
22 March 2004

Brenda Gregory (Extra Care Scheme Manager) with Doreen Scriven (tenant) signing ‘Hello'

A Scheme Manager of an extra care sheltered scheme in Martock has learnt sign language so that she is able to communicate easier with one of her tenant's.

Brenda Gregory who is the Scheme Manager for a South Somerset Homes' owned scheme at Bearley House has completed the Sign Language Stage 1 at Stanchester School after following the completion of a Deaf Awareness course at Yeovil College. Following this she was presented with the Learner of the Year Award.

Brenda explained more about why she learnt sign language. “I have a profoundly deaf tenant called Doreen who having lost her husband I thought may be feeling a little isolated. Although she is a very good lip reader I wanted to do more for her.”

Doreen Scriven, a tenant at Bearley House said, “To have done all this work just to help me makes Brenda a very special lady.”

Brenda Gregory (Extra Care Scheme Manager) with Doreen Scriven (tenant) using sign language to talk about her husband.