‘Speak with IT’ support people with Aphasia to regain their speech using computer therapy programmes. Currently supporting a number of people in South Leeds they are keen to hear from potential new Volunteer Speech Support Workers to meet growing demand from people with Aphasia.
Aphasia often occurs when people have had a stroke or brain injury, damaging the communications centre of the brain and affecting speech and the ability to communicate with others. The charity aims to supplement the work of speech and language therapists and charities such as Stroke Association. They work closely with speech therapists at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
Charity Manager, James Major explains how Speak with IT works.
“We receive referrals from speech and language therapists at the hospital and through Stroke Association and other groups. We aim to pair someone with Aphasia with a volunteer who lives locally to them within one month. The volunteer will meet with the client and their carer on average once a month for one and a half hours in their own home. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to your community, develop new skills, and the time commitment required is relatively low.”
The charity is currently witnessing a growth in demand for the service and has a waiting list of people requesting support in South Leeds with one volunteer leaving the charity at the end of the month.
“We are keen to hear from new Volunteer Speech Support Workers in South Leeds. We currently have one volunteer working in this area but with one volunteer leaving it leaves us a bit short!”
To apply to become a Volunteer Speech Support Worker visit www.speakwithit.org and complete an application form or call James on 01924 562228 for an informal chat.
