Converged Gifts iPad To Aid VSA Communication A leading Aberdeen-based ICT (information and communications technology) provider has given a local care home a technological boost as it welcomes a new resident.
Converged Communication Solutions has donated a brand new iPad to Northfield Lodge care home to help support staff to communicate more effectively with a hearing impaired resident. Staff at the VSA owned facility will use the device to aid communication with the resident by using a series of apps and other tools that are freely available to download online.
One of nine care homes operated by North-east social care charity VSA, Northfield Lodge care home provides support for people who have enduring mental ill health.
Prior to the resident moving into Northfield Lodge, management began investigating alternative ways to ensure the resident would have effective means of communication with staff and other residents and feel at ease in their new surroundings.
They identified that an iPad would be a suitable tool and one which could also be used as a training aid for staff in such things as basic sign language. Apps that have been identified as beneficial include those that allow speech to be turned into text and alerting tools which help users to be aware of what is happening around them.
After seeing a post on social media a few months ago, Converged offered to purchase the device for VSA. Established 10 years ago, Converged provides internet connections, telephone systems and IT support services to businesses of all sizes throughout the UK.
VSA’s Scott MacLeod, operations manager for mental health, said: “We are very grateful to Converged for generously donating this iPad. It will be of huge benefit to our new resident and will really support our staff’s communication with them.
“We have identified a number of useful apps that have been developed in recent years to help deaf people. In conjunction with other online resources, the iPad can be utilised as a brilliant and easy to use communication tool for our staff and residents. How it is used will evolve as we work with the resident and it could lead to colleagues at other VSA properties employing the technology in a similar way.”
Neil Christie, technical director at Converged, said: “Our hearing is something that we all take for granted. Utilising an iPad to aid communication with an individual with hearing loss is an inspired idea, and illustrates the important and adaptable role that technology now has in our lives.
“VSA does fantastic work across the North-east and it is great that we are able to support them with this donation.”
Converged Communication Solutions is an independent, Aberdeen-based IT support, telephony and Internet service provider. Established in 2005, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a fully integrated communications company with 22 staff, which includes a strong technical support team. The firm provides businesses across the UK with a single and accountable service for their telephony, Internet and networking requirements. Converged has recently become part of the Aberdeen CORE project that is installing a Gigabit speed fibre network in Aberdeen. More information about Converged Communication Solutions is available at www.converged.co.uk or by telephoning 01224 656380.