Bringing people with aphasia together

A new support group for people with aphasia, a language disorder which affects our ability to communicate, launches in Bournemouth next week.

Dorset HealthCare’s community speech and language therapy service has joined forces with charity Say Aphasia, to launch the drop-in group in Westbourne on Monday (24 July)

Anyone affected by aphasia – a brain-related problem which can impair speech, reading, writing or understanding what others are saying – is welcome to come along to Westbourne Tower Care Home, 16-18 Poole Road (BH4 9DR), between 10am and 12noon to find out more.

Faye Wright, Communication Plus Lead Practitioner for the Trust, said:

“Aphasia is a communication disability and almost two-thirds of people with it suffer low mood or depression. Having peer support and social opportunities can help reduce this, so we are very pleased this group is opening in the local area.

“We hope many people go along to the drop-ins to meet likeminded people, share stories, laugh and create companionship.”

Say Aphasia was set-up by Colin Lyall following a stroke in 2013 when he was 50, which left him feeling isolated with no one to talk to. The charity is now a nationwide network of support.

The drop-in group will meet every second and fourth Monday of the month from 10am-12noon at Westbourne Tower Care Home.

For more information about visit www.sayaphasia.org/ or contact faye.wright3@nhs.net. Further details about speech and language therapy services in Dorset are available at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/adult-speech-and-language-therapy

L-R Chris Giles who runs the group in Bournemouth with Faye Wright, Communication Plus Lead Practitioner for Dorset HealthCare