Press release -
Maidenhead Speakability Group calls out for local volunteers
A Maidenhead support group is calling out for new volunteers to join them and help local people with communication difficulties find their voice again.
More than 350,000 people in the UK have aphasia, a communication disability which can be caused by stroke, head injury or other neurological condition.
Maidenhead Speakability Group is run by and for people with aphasia, supported by the Stroke Association. The group meets every two weeks on a Wednesday between10:00am and 12:00pm, at Braywick Sports Ground in Maidenhead.
Terence Hodgson, 64, from Maidenhead, attends the Speakability Group with his wife Angie. Terence has survived three strokes and has aphasia as a result.
Angie Hodgson said: “At the meetings Terence and other local stroke survivors support each other, share experiences, rebuild their self-confidence and develop new skills. It’s a wonderful group who are all so welcoming and supportive.”
Claire Shropshall, Health Promotion and Engagement Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “We have around 10 group members of different ages and backgrounds who all have one thing in common – they have aphasia. The condition can be absolutely devastating, but with the right help and support, people can make fantastic recoveries, and that’s what the group is all about.
“Support from Maidenhead Speakability can make a real difference to a stroke survivor’s recovery and mental wellbeing. Without the support of local volunteers, we couldn’t be there for people who need help through one of the most difficult and frightening periods of their lives.”
To find out more about Maidenhead Speakability call Claire Shropshall on 01344 306 177 or email claire.shropshall@stroke.org.uk. To find out more about Stroke Association Voluntary Groups, visit www.stroke.org.uk
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