Talk: What we do

What we do

Dysphasia is a devastating residual effect of a stroke for the patient/recoverer and for their families and carers. Frustration and lack of confidence often result but TALK offers practical therapeutic help in stimulating speech and word finding and a sympathetic environment.

We aim to help our clients with speech and language problems to achieve the maximum possible recovery and to become as independent as possible.

Who are we ?

TALK was established in 1998 and took over dysphasic support in the Guildford area when funding for the Stroke Association stopped.

TALK was awarded the Queen’s Award for voluntary service 2005.

Referrals
Our referrals come from speech and language therapists and other health professionals, but self-referrals are accepted.

Funding
TALK is a registered charity. Grants, fundraising events and donations fund the service, and the employment of a part-time coordinator. It has a membership of around 80 recoverers and a similar number of volunteers. Both are steadily rising.

Volunteer training
We support our volunteers with induction training and by providing 2 or 3 therapist-lead training sessions and video training sessions each year, all closely focussed on the needs of the recoverers.

Our Groups
There are six groups across the county of Surrey.

The weekly workshops are held in school term time only.

The workshops
Recoverers work one-to-one with a volunteer as far as possible. Each session has a different theme and is a lively, stimulating environment with the emphasis on communication in different forms.
Everyone participates as much as they can and each session is organised with a variety of ideas and input. These sessions help conversational skills and provide a springboard to re-enter the social world. We do not offer tea and sympathy.

Other activities during the term are organised outings (weather permitting) to local venues, music therapy: both instrumental and audience participation and various other therapies.

Home Visits
A home volunteer service may be available for recoverers who are cannot attend our weekly workshops. Visits are under the guidance of the speech and language therapist and the TALK coordinator.
All our volunteers have had enhanced CRB checks.

For more details contact Jane Langley the Talk Coordinator
phone: 01372 841003 or Mobile 07876 740530 or