Speech therapist honoured for work with stroke victims

The 29-year-old was awarded The Stroke Association’s 2011 Life After Stroke award for Excellence in Stroke Care by X-Factor singer Stacey Solomon, at a ceremony at Claridge’s Hotel in London last night.

Judges agreed that Ms Morgan demonstrated “tireless commitment” to “raising the quality of care for people experiencing difficulties after stroke”.

She was commended for “Communication Partners”, a project she developed which trains speech and language therapy students and volunteers to hold supported conversations with stroke survivors who have communication difficulties.

Ms Morgan was nominated by stroke survivor Christine Welburn who was left unable to speak, read, write or follow instructions after her stroke. However, 18 months later, she has made a “great recovery”, becoming more confident and speaking in full sentences.

Ms Welburn said: “The enthusiasm and commitment that Gemma has shown towards the project has had a ripple effect within the Communication Partners team.

“She never fails to recognise the input that others are giving the project and she shows the clients real empathy and understanding when clients are often distressed and frustrated.”

Ms Morgan said: “I am so overwhelmed and proud to have won this award. It is recognition for what the stroke survivors, volunteers and staff involved in the project have achieved.

“Not only have we been able to help stroke survivors improve their communication, but they are meeting new people, taking up new activities, becoming more sociable and increasing their confidence as a result.

“Many of the volunteers hadn’t had experience of working with stroke survivors, so it’s really encouraging that they are giving up their time and learning about such an important condition.

“We are making improvements all the time – Sheffield University has made it a formal placement and we are trialling a conversation group run by volunteers. The project is funded until July 2012 by the North Trent Stroke Strategy Project, but I would love to see it commissioned as a new service.”