A DUNFERMLINE man learned sign language to help his hard of hearing customers.

Mark Boyd, a shop assistant at Bryan Beveridge Quality Butchers on the city's High Street, won the Scottish Craft Butchers coveted 'Extra Mile Award' for his efforts in making life easier and more inclusive for the deaf community.

Nominated by his British Sign Language (BSL) tutor, Maria Gilmour, who believes he has gone "above and beyond" in making the store accessible for those with trouble communicating, Mark is "chuffed to bits" with his award.

He said: "I never expected to be rewarded or recognised, I didn't do this for me – I did it for all those who struggle to communicate in the retail space and who have a right to be treated equally.

"I watched people point to things on their mobile phone or scribble notes on little pieces of paper and pass them over and realised that we could do more. I wanted them to be able to exchange a cheery 'Good morning' and have some one-to-one banter and the only way to do that was to learn how to talk with them through sign language.

"Breaking down the barriers for a silent, sometimes forgotten, minority in our local communities means they no longer have to rely on phone texts or handwritten notes. Instead, they have a friend with a smile to assist them."

Mark started learning sign language in 2020 initially but his studies were put on hold due to COVID. This didn't stop him and in June of this year he achieved his level 1 certificate and is working on his level 2.

"It's a joy and a privilege to be able to support those with communication difficulties," he continued. "I'm so proud to have achieved my BSL Level 1. My tutor was great in tailoring modules to cover words and phrases that we would use in a butcher's shop.

"Yes, I'm still learning and, yes, I sometimes get it wrong, but the customers will laugh and everyone is grateful that an effort is being made so we help each other through the sign language conversation.

"To be nominated – and then to win – the Extra Mile Award is just amazing. I'm thrilled, hopefully recognition for what we are doing in Dunfermline might encourage others to step up and support a diverse range of minorities within our communities."

Nominations for the award came in from across the county but it was Mark who won. Gordon King, executive manager with Scottish Craft Butchers, said: "Mark wanted to make people's shopping experience easier and went the Extra Mile to ensure those needing extra support were given equal service.

"He sums up the ethos of independent local retailers who will make that extra effort to care for their customers and his kindness and commitment to helping others is an example to which others can aspire.

"Mark is a credit to his workplace and profession, a special person to all with communication difficulties and an inspiration to us all."