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IN TOUCH – SUPERMARKET SHOPPING AND EDUCATION IN LOCKDOWN

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TX: 16.06.2020Ìý 2040 -2100

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PRESENTER:Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýPETER WHITE

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PRODUCER:Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýJULIA PAUL & LOUISE CLARKE-ROWBOTHAM

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STUDIO MANAGER:Ìý JOHN COLE

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Peter White

Good Evening.Ìý Tonight, in the 13th week of lockdown, many visually impaired people are still struggling to do a regular shop.Ìý Could an initiative starting this week, finally be the answer?

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Carly Holder

I also to say, we're going to be doing a full body workout, with exercises...

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George Williams

So make sure your back is straight, your bum down and your needs forward.

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Peter White

And how the students training to become sports coaches are managing to keep their courses going now that there college is closed.Ìý

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But first, it was a problem right from the start of lockdown and for many visually impaired people it still is, getting your weekly shop, especially food.Ìý Even for those with the confidence to get a store or supermarket, the new problem of social distancing put many people off!Ìý For many more, just getting to the shops at all wasn't an option.Ìý If you didn't already have an arrangement for an online delivery, it was was anile and impossible to get one.Ìý And for some time, there was no recognition that blind and partially sighted people, whilst not having one of the conditions regarded as qualifying you for special help, had an extremely strong case for it.Ìý Well, the RNIB say they were being swamped on early by hundreds of requests today for information, and joined with other visually impairment charities to campaign to persuade DEFRA and the supermarkets to take action.Ìý There has been piecemeal progress since.Ìý Individual supermarkets giving training to staff about how to offer help in the store.Ìý The volunteer services making deliveries, but only now a scheme specifically designed to get food to blind people's door.Ìý Well to tell us about it, I've been talking to the RNIB's Director of Services, David Clarke.Ìý And I asked him, how will this work?

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David Clarke

And the way that people can access priority slots, is by calling the the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999 and we can ensure eligibility and ensure those people get access to those much needed priority slots.

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Peter White

So effectively, you are now the RNIB is the gateway for this system?

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David Clarke

We've literally had thousands of calls with people really really worried about access to food.Ìý Half the amount of people are shopping independently that were before.Ìý 74% of blind and partially sighted people we've surveyed told us that their worried about food and shockingly, one in five have been rationing food.Ìý So in conjunction with our sector colleagues and a number of local regional and national charities, we've been driving for a solution to this problem that enables people who simply can't access food to get access to food.Ìý So we are finally at that point!

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Peter White

So who is eligible for this scheme?

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David Clarke

So anybody who is blind and partially sighted and can't currently independently access food will be able to call the RNIBs helpline.Ìý There will be a series of eligibility questions as you might imagine.Ìý The requests will be triage through our sight-loss advisors, who are professionals in running schemes such as this.Ìý And as a result of that, people will be provided with priority slots. Ìý

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Peter White

But can you give me a bit more of an idea of who is actually eligible, because there will be some people who've obviously not been able to wait for this to happen, have manage to sort it out one way or the other, maybe they've got a volunteer, maybe they've got a relative, maybe they are managing online.Ìý Who are you aiming this scheme at?

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David Clarke

So this scheme is aimed at people who have the financial means to shop and of course, there are lots of other initiatives we're involved in where people don't.Ìý But essentially as you say, lots of people have been relying on volunteers to go and get their shopping.Ìý If people are fortunate enough to have a member of the family who can assist with shopping and that kind of thing and that's all well and good.Ìý But essentially, we want blind and partially sighted people who, who don't have access to independent shopping to be able to do that.Ìý So if those people call us, you know their either registered as blind or partially sighted or they are sort of mid-diagnosis.Ìý Then our professional sight-loss advisors will will judge that very very carefully, and ensure that those who need these priority slots are able to obtain them.

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Peter White

At this stage, do we know who exactly is involved as far as the supermarkets are concerned?

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David Clarke

We've been working with DEFRA very closely.Ìý And DEFRA have managed to allocate priority slots with some of the major supermarkets.Ìý At this time of course, DEFRA's res...responsibilities relate just to England.Ìý So at this present moment in time, this scheme only relates to England.Ìý But our helpline as as I say, we'll be triaging those requests and ensuring all of those people get access to those slots.

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Peter White

David, it's the 13th week of lockdown.Ìý I have to ask you, what took you so long?

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David Clarke

At the very start of this crisis, we were very very aware of what was going on here, because of the amount of calls coming through to our helpline.Ìý And we had to deal with some pretty horrific situations and get immediate help to people and we are still able to do that.Ìý We are able to get immediate help to people who don't have access to food or find themselves needing emergency supplies, so we've worked very hard to do that.Ìý We've transferred our helpline and advice line to working from home and we continue to receive 5 to 6,000 calls a week through that route.Ìý You know we were immediately onto this with the other charities such as 'Visionary' Thomas Pocklington, 'Guide Dogs and ourselves writing to George Usters.Ìý We then followed that up, with a 22,000 signature partition to get this issue on the agenda.Ìý And I think in terms of us asking us what took us so long, I think this is a great example of the way society operates.Ìý And at the point at which we went into lockdown, the issues around blind and partially sighted people getting access to food weren't even on the agenda!Ìý So having got that on the agenda, we then worked with DEFRA to put a scheme in place that enabled people to get access to shopping and be able to shop independently.

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Peter White

But the danger is that we've actually got a scheme only when lockdown is beginning albeit slowly to be relaxed.Ìý It's too long to have waited isn't it?

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David Clarke

Well I certainly totally agree with you that we would have much, much preferred along with our other colleagues in the sector to have had a solution immediately.Ìý And we would have much preferred that blind and partially sighted people were thought about from the very start of this.Ìý This has been a long road and to get change like this and get something in place, 3 months may seem like a long time, but as I say it took us to the middle of April to raise the issues to a sufficient level that we did start to talk about a solution.Ìý And I'm very very pleased that we've now arrived at a solution, but I think it does pose the wider question in terms of societal attitudes, about the fact that blind and partially sighted people need to be included from the very start and considered.Ìý And that's why we've been working also with supermarkets and shops to ensure that people can actually go in store and shop safely.Ìý

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Peter White

David Clarke.Ìý It's still not clear which supermarkets will be involved.Ìý We shall continue to press for this information.Ìý The number of the service 0303 123 9999. And if you try to use it, well do tell us how you get on.Ìý We're remind you how you do that at the end of the programme.Ìý

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Now we heard from some of you about last weeks' item about Scotland's plan to pilot electronic voting, so that visually impaired people could vote secretly and confidently.Ìý But another proposal to adapt the ballot paper itself had been shelved.Ìý Terry Robinson wasn't happy about this!

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Terry Robinson

As the person who proposed the inclusive design for the ballot paper accessible for the vision impaired people.Ìý I was concerned to hear that this had been interpreted as a special Braille device that would cost money.Ìý In fact, the proposal was for a standard ballot paper that would have the top left-hand corner removed, so we could be sure that it was the right way up!Ìý There would be indentations down the right hand side of the paper to indicate the boxes of each candidate.Ìý Alternative media, Braille, audio etc would give the list of candidates.Ìý As a standard paper, this would not cost additional money, nor would it be any more difficult to process than the ballot papers that have been used till now.Ìý I was equally unimpressed by the description of the proposed electronic voting system.Ìý I think QR codes and special voting devices would interest many voters, who would clearly just be looking to use a computer, tablet or phone to vote.Ìý Frankly, I think it's high time we engaged the UK government on this issue, where vision impaired people would be able to vote independently, which I understand is a basic human right.

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Peter White

Well in fact Terry, as you probably know the cabinet office has setup a working party to come up with proposals about this, but with local elections, which were due to take place last month having been postponed, it maybe a while before any proposals can be put to the test.Ìý But you can rest assured; we will be following this story closely ass we will, the issue of guide dog waiting lists.Ìý Among the responses to that item, we had this from Roger Williams.

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Roger Williams

I've been on the waiting list for a new guide dog for over a year now, plus the time it took to get on the waiting list, which was an additional 8 months.Ìý When I enquire why a dog has is not been found me, I'm repeatedly told that none has proved to be suitable.Ìý In spite of asking for the reason as to unsuitability, I'm not given any details.Ìý Although, I've not had a guide dog for some 9yrs due to circumstances in my personal life!Ìý I have had six dogs previous to 2010, one being in 1969.Ìý I cannot see how the association can anywhere near being able to satisfy any increased demand due to the regulations regarding social distancing.

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Peter White

And Andrea Salt from Cardiff questioned on assertion in particular made by guide dogs in our interview with them!

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Andrew Sale

I have now been waiting for my second dog for the past 18 months.Ìý Listening to your interview, I was given the impression that guide dogs I'll quote 'prioritising returning guide dog owners'.Ìý However, before lockdown happened, I was told this was not the case and that it was not considered fair for first time guide dog owners to be put at the end of the queue.Ìý As I don't have anybody sighted in my household, the past 18 months without a dog has been challenging, particularly in regards to both my independence and work life.Ìý I'm a keyworker working for NatWest.Ìý It must be said that everyone at the bank has been absolutely amazing in supporting me in the workplace, allowing me to hold their arm if I need it and supporting me to social distance safely.Ìý Had I had a guide dog however, I would have been able to do these things for myself as well as travelling to and from work safety and independently.Ìý All of this makes me feel unacknowledged by guide dogs, who seem to be assuming I can cope between dogs getting by through a combination of supportive colleagues, resilience and good fortune.Ìý When in reality, my quality of life over the last year and a half has suffered and has dipped even further with the lockdown restrictions.

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Peter White

Thank you.Ìý And do keep your responses coming.Ìý Details of how you do that at the end of the programme.Ìý

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Carly Holder

I also to say, we're going to be doing a full body workout, with exercises...

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George Williams

My carrying upstairs bit starting off with 30 squats then...

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Carly Holder

So if you feel your tiring, it's better to go on your knees and stop.

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George Williams

So make sure your back is straight, your bum down and your needs forward.

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Carly Holder

INAUD you would run out of INAUD.Ìý I hope you enjoyed this and found it useful.Ìý

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Peter White

That was Carly Holder and George Williams' budding sports coaches with part of their online training routine.Ìý Now normally, Carly and George would be doing this as an element of their sport studies course at the Royal National College in Hereford.Ìý The College offers a wide range of locational courses for visually impaired students over the age of 16, but of course the residential college is currently closed.Ìý So how do you carry on with a course like theirs, which surely depends on face to face teaching and touch?Ìý Well it's a question I put to Carly and George.Ìý Carly first!

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Carly Holder

So our course is sports coaching and a lot of it is practical side, so leading sessions and also doing the theory side in terms anatomy and physiology.Ìý The way we've sort of gone forward with it is electronically, so doing our sessions like we have for the wider community, but also having our lessons over things like Zoom.

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Peter White

So what we heard there, were exerts really from the videos you've made, which illustrate the kind of coaching you do?

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Carly Holder

Yeah exactly!

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Peter White

And your teachers can see those and see how you're doing?

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Carly Holder

Exactly! And it provides us a chance to get the feedback as well, so we can improve on the way we coach.

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Peter White

So George, tell me a bit about your video and what we heard you doing there?

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George WilliamsÌý

My video was a fitness routine trying to promote other people from the college and the wider community to do fitness during lockdown and show that you don't just have to go on a run or a bike, because for VIP people that's that's quite hard.Ìý You can do a quick circuit where you need no equipment and you get the same benefits.

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Peter White

What are you hoping to do with the skills your learning now?

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George Williams

I'm hoping after I've finished the college to go to university and study sport science or sports coaching, so I can eventually my my dream job would be coaching in footballÌý

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Peter White

Coaching mainly visually impaired people or across the board?

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George Williams

And I'll do it across the board.Ìý I did my work experience with a football team which was able body and I found it quite interesting, because...

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Peter White

Right!

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George Williams

...the way people coach me is different how you would coach someone that can see.

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Peter White

And were they surprised to find that they were being coached by a visually impaired person?

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George Williams

No they kind of embraced it.Ìý I explained my background on football, so they knew I played football cos I play blind football instead of able body.Ìý And I think they found it beneficial to them as well.

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Peter White

And Carly, what, what about you?Ìý What are you aiming at with this course?

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Carly Holder

I think overall, I want to sort of draw on my experience to work with children and young people.Ìý I know that coaching is a very important part and sport is a very important part of any sort of child development or team work and those sorts of things, so I think it's always good to have the understanding both from a player point of view and from a coaching point of view.

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Peter White

Also with us is Lucy Proctor, who's the Executive Principal at The Royal National College.Ìý Lucy first of all, face to face hands on training is surely particularly important for visually impaired students.Ìý I, I'm just wondering how to maintain effectiveness of teaching during lockdown.

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Lucy Proctor

It's a real tribute to both the students and to the staff that we've been able to do as much as we have during lockdown.Ìý So the first thing that we did, was make sure that everybody had the equipment that they needed and our I.T. teachers spent time making sure that the students were able to access remote learning.Ìý Lots of different platforms to suit the students and to suit the particular subjects that their learning.

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Peter White

But it must still be quite difficult in the sense that you know certainly if you're teaching somebody totally blind to do something.Ìý The natural thing to do would be to perhaps put your hands or your body the way that you want it to to be, so that they can get an idea because they can't see what you're doing.

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Lucy Proctor

It's certainly been a challenge.Ìý And I think what the students were referring too in terms of the importance of the audio description; it really does make you think about things differently both the teachers and the students and how you can communicate in different ways.Ìý Because of course, we're also thinking about September and what it's going to be like being back on campus.

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Peter White

Will you be able to start up with courses again in the autumn?

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Lucy Proctor

We're definitely looking at face to face for September, but realistically it'll be some kind of blended approach assuming social distancing is still up and running, whether its 2 metres or 1 metre.Ìý It's unlikely that all of the students will be on campus all of the time, so we're looking at how we can manage things safely for them and for the staff.Ìý And because the remote learning has been working well!Ìý We're in a fortunate position to be able to do that combination of face to face work, setting students some work to take home with them and then they can come back onto campus.Ìý

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Peter White

Yeah and if I could just go back finally to Carly and George about that!Ìý And George first of all, what about social distancing, I mean I went to a visual impairment special school. I remember the way we used to tear about and run down corridors and how do you think that's gonna be to be enforced?

George Williams

Especially someone with no sight, I think it's gonna be very hard to socially distance when you're walking about.Ìý I think in lessons, if people tell you where to sit that should work!

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Peter White

Carly what about you, how do you feel that will work?

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Carly Holder

I think it's difficult to say, because while when I go out at the moment, some people have the understanding of 'I can't see them' so they have to go round me and my dog.Ìý But at the same time, you know it's so much harder when two people can't see each other to then before your too close or things like that to sort of realise, or for someone who hasn't depths perception to think their 2 metres apart or 1 metre or however far they need to be apart but actually their not!Ìý But I think with the RNC they will give the guidance that is needed and they would never put a student in a position where they would feel uncomfortable.

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Peter White

So we're all in a big learning curve that's very clear!Ìý Carly Holder, George Williams, Lucy Proctor thank you all very much indeed.Ìý And that's it for today, but do you keep your reactions coming.Ìý You can email us at 'intouch@bbc.co.uk' or you can go to our website at 'bbc.co.uk/intouch'.Ìý You can download tonight's programme from there and many previous programmes as well

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And that's it from me Peter White, Joint Producers this week a team effort Julia Paul and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham and Studio Manager John Cole, what a team! Goodbye!

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