An Irvine community hub worker has been dubbed ‘an angel sent from heaven’ after teaching herself sign language to help a deaf pensioner cope with life in lockdown.
Vineburgh volunteer Diane Dean began delivering shopping and medication to Robert Whiteford a fortnight ago after his worried family got in touch.
Now she spends her spare time brushing up on her signing skills so she can engage with the Vineburgh Court resident, who is also recovering from a broken hip, during her regular visits.
Robert’s son Ronnie is full of praise for kind Diane.
He said: “Diane is an angel sent from heaven. Honestly, she’s an absolute godsend.
“I’ve been worried sick about my dad, he’s very vulnerable, but she’s put my mind completely at ease.
“I can’t thank her enough for what she’s done.”
Diane, 41, said: “My heart just went out to Mr Whiteford. He’s in his 70s, lives in the sheltered housing by himself and his family are over in Ireland.
“He’s got carers who are in and out the house, but he’s pretty cut off from things.
“His family are understandably worried about him and his son Ronnie contacted the hub to ask if we could help.
“I’ve been bringing him his shopping and medication and just thought it would be nice to have a proper conversation with him.
“Whenever I get a spare minute at home or at the hub I get Youtube loaded up on my phone and look up British Sign Language to learn."
Diane and Robert have already struck up a great rapport, thanks in large to a friendly football rivalry.
“I’m an Irvine Meadow fan and he’s a massive Auchinleck Talbot supporter so we’ve been having a laugh about that,” said Diane.
“I was ribbing him about Talbot the other day and he signed me telling me to go away – or words to that effect!”
Diane even arranged for Talbot to send a few special mementos Robert’s way after learning of his superfan status at the East Ayrshire Club.
“Ronnie told me that his dad inspired the famous Talbot ‘Eeka, peeka, pukka, po’ chant when he used to go to the games and sing the songs.
“He’s a bit of a legend over there and I think there was even talk of him getting his own statue.
“My friend Michelle Deans told me her uncle Morton Wright was involved with Talbot so we took it from there.
“Morton was kind enough to send over a team top, a polo neck, a scroll from one of their cup wins and a badge. Mr Whiteford was over the moon!”
