TALK - Supporting recoverers after stroke

Registered Charity No: 1072526

DYSPHASIA is a devastating residual effect of a stroke both for the patient/recoverer and their families/carers. Lack of confidence and frustration often result but TALK is able to offer both practical therapeutic help in stimulating speech and word finding and a sympathetic environment. We aim to help our recoverers who have speech and language problems to attain their maximum possible recovery in all aspects and to become as independent as possible.

TALK was established in 1998 having taken over the running of dysphasic support in the Guildford area from the Stroke Association when their funding ceased.

TALK is a registered charity: various grants, fundraising events and personal donations allow the maintenance of the service and the employment of a part time coordinator. Presently, it has a membership of around 70 recoverers and equal numbers of volunteers, steadily rising. In the main, our referrals come from local speech and language therapists and other health professionals, but self referrals can be accepted.

We aim to help our volunteers in their ability to aid the recoverers at their workshops by providing 2-3 therapist teaching sessions annually along with other initial training and video sessions relevant to helping recoverers with dysphasia.

There are five groups across the county of Surrey and a sixth workshop to be set up in September 2006 within the Spelthorne area (venue and funding still to be decided):

• Monday afternoon at the day centre, Manor Road, Walton on Thames
• Tuesday morning and afternoon at St. Catherine's Hall, Chestnut Avenue, Guildford.
• Thursday morning at the Vyne Community Centre, Broadway, Knaphill, Woking.
• Friday morning at the day room, Cranleigh Hospital

The weekly workshops are held school term time only. Recoverers work one-to-one with a volunteer as far as possible. The session has a different theme each week and is a lively, stimulating environment with the emphasis on communication in some form. Everyone participates as much as they are able and each session is organised with a variety of ideas and input. These sessions help conversational skills and provide a sympathetic springboard to re-enter the social world. We do not offer tea and sympathy.

Other activities during the term are organised: outings (weather permitting) to local venues, music therapy: both instrumental and audience participation and various other therapies.

A home volunteer service is offered for recoverers who are unable to access our weekly workshops for various reasons. Their visits are closely monitored under the guidance of the speech and language therapist and the TALK co-ordinator.

All our home volunteers have had police CRB checks as have all new volunteers from January 2006.

Jane Langley, Co-ordinator, 01372 471088 M: 07876 740 530 email: Talksurrey@tesco.net website: www.Talksurrey.org.uk