City Volunteering

Say Aphasia

The Say Aphasia charity provides support groups across the UK for people with aphasia; a language and communication disability caused by a brain injury like a stroke. Aphasia affects over 350,000 people in the UK but is little understood or known about by the public. It is the only aphasia charity set up by people with aphasia for people with aphasia; helping them to adapt to their new way of life and regain their independence and confidence.

ABOUT US:

Aphasia occurs due to injury to the brain such as a stroke. It affects access to language, resulting in difficulties following conversations, speaking, reading and writing. People’s language can be affected to different degrees so not everyone’s aphasia looks the same. Imagine for a moment not being able to verbally order a coffee or ask for a bus ticket. This may be what life could look like for someone with aphasia. Aphasia is a lifelong condition and means that the person living with aphasia, their friends and family will need to adjust to a new way of communicating to overcome barriers. This may mean having to write or draw things instead of speaking. Due to the damage in the brain, people with aphasia may find it difficult to process conversions as quickly as before. Aphasia frequently results in loss of employment and a reduced social network, leading to isolation for the person living with aphasia

WHY OUR WORK MATTERS:

We offer a relaxed place of support for you and our family. Whether you are newly diagnosed, or have lived with aphasia for a few years, we welcome everyone.

We provide a place to meet others who are experiencing a similar life change, who can understand what you are going through.

At these social groups you can learn how to adapt to this new way of life, amongst people who can relate to you and offer tips and tricks to make life a little easier.

No matter what type of aphasia you have, you can visit any group and take from it what you need.

"I feel I have purpose when I come to the groups every week. Before I came here, I felt that I couldn’t do much after the stroke"

THINGS WE ARE PROUD OF:

Peer Support conversation groups for people with aphasia . Avoiding the isolation that people often feel following a brain injury. Helping people to reconnect.