SSAFA Reading develops Nepalese language Covid advice for the Gurkha community

19 March 2021

SSAFA's Reading branch has supported the local Gurkha community by creating Nepalese specific information on the NHS guidance supplied for the Covid-19 vaccination.

SSAFA Reading were concerned when they discovered that many members of the Gurkha community were having difficulties receiving their Covid-19 vaccination because of the language barriers they faced with basic information.

Pam Reynolds, SSAFA Reading, said: “Many individuals were confused about how they should respond to invitations sent to them by the NHS. They would sometimes arrive in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thankfully the NHS staff were helpful and able to guide them, so they were able to receive their vaccination.

“One of the problems we’ve noticed is that NHS guidance notes provided to individuals were in a form of Nepali that the local Gurkha community did not find easy to read and understand.

“In order to avoid further problems with their second booster vaccination, Chandra Burathoki, a SSAFA Reading caseworker, and Bhanu Burathoki, a SSAFA volunteer teacher, created and distributed a new leaflet guide, using the form of Nepali language that the local community could understand.

“These new guides allow the Gurkha community to read and understand the clear instructions about how to book the booster vaccination and attend the clinic.”

The new guide was designed and printed for SSAFA Reading and the local Gurkha community by SecureCloud – a local Reading company who regularly support the Armed Forces charity.