Description:

Cashiers at Bath Building Society have undertaken ‘British Sign Language (BSL) at Work’ training to improve services for deaf customers in their Bath branches.  A six week training programme was provided by Action on Hearing Loss and signs taught included financial words and terminology relevant to the staff’s needs in their daily communication with customers who are deaf.

Jonathan Cook, Community and Retail Operations Manager at Bath Building Society said: “There are around 8 million people in the UK who are deaf or suffer from hard of hearing and while this is a minority of the population it’s still really important to us that we offer a fully inclusive service to everyone whatever their needs.  Sign language is a skill which has not only improved our customer service but has helped us build closer personal relationships with our deaf customers.”

Michaela Gay, cashier for Bath Building Society who has undertaken the training said: “Something as small as signing ‘Good morning, how are you?’ has made such a big difference.  We have many deaf customers who bank in our branches and engage with us, this training will help us provide a better customer service and meet their needs.”

Cashiers based in the Bath, Oldfield Park, Twerton and Larkhall Bath Building Society’s branches have undertaken the sign language programme.