Giving a voice back to stroke victims

Speakability is a charity which helps people affected by this condition, known as aphasia.

The charity celebrates its 30th anniversary this month and a number of fund-raising awareness events are planned across the country.

Gill Carter is fundraiser for the York Speakability self-help group.

Gill suffered a stroke four and a half years ago and lost her speech completely.

But with the help of a speech and language therapist and then the invaluable support of the speakability group, Gill has learnt how to communicate again. "They were also a great help to my husband who became my carer," explains Gill. "Losing your ability to communicate is life-changing, so any help and support was most welcome at a very stressful time for us both."

Speakability works with people who have suffered a stroke or head trauma and lost their ability to communicate.

Gill says: "This can lead to feelings of isolation. The group can be a lifeline for both the sufferer and the carer, we offer support, friendship and outings. The members gain confidence within the group enabling them to cope better in this new and sometimes isolated world."

The York group, which meets on the second Thursday of every month, is fundraising for specialist computer software, called Step by Step, which enables the sufferer to work on the computer at their own speed.

A special event to mark Speakability's 30th anniversary is being held at Westfield Farm, Sheriff Hutton. An afternoon tea with music by the York Merrybank Singers takes place from 1.30pm to 5pm for people who have suffered a stroke or head trauma and their carers.

Everything the group do is self-funded.