More help for Rotherham stroke victims

A NEW project aimed at helping stroke survivors to communicate is looking for volunteers.

The Communication Partners scheme assists people with aphasia–a condition caused by brain damage following a stroke or head injury which affects speech, reading and writing.

It has run as a pilot project for the last three years, working with volunteers to reach people with aphasia who may have become socially isolated.

Gemma Morgan, specialist speech and language therapist, said: "Aphasia is still a relatively unknown disability but more than 250,000 people in the UK suffer from it and it can make life difficult.

"The severity is different for each individual and it can last for weeks, months or years in some cases.

"Our mission is to get as many volunteers trained up as possible so they can visit stroke survivors who have aphasia in their homes.

"This long-term interaction is vital in helping reach out to people who otherwise may become isolated from the outside world."

Led by NHS Rotherham Community Health Services, volunteers will be trained to use non-verbal methods of communication such as gestures, pictures, signs and symbols, allowing aphasia patients to have a conversation and reduce communication breakdown.

NHS Rotherham Community Health Services already deliver speech and language therapy for people with aphasia, at Rotherham General Hospital and in community locations. 

Self-help groups are also available through the Rotherham branch of Speakability, a national charity dedicated to supporting people with the condition.

For more information contact the Voluntary Services Department at Rotherham General Hospital on 01709 304329.