ISSUE 9
WORKSHOP CYCLES: JANUARY / MAY / SEPTEMBER
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Achievements
• Volunteer Recruitment
• College Collaboration
• Tenacity!
• Upcoming Workshops
Contacts: Faye Wright / Catriona Lee:
dhc.communicationplus@nhs.net
ACHIEVEMENTS FROM MAY C+
We have seen some remarkable achievements this quarter. Below is a short summary:
- Mr PW (1) – (Workshop 2) – Spoke out loud in front of strangers for the first time since his stroke. He engaged with the homework materials, wrote and drew for the first time in two years
- Mrs ME (2) – Followed a recipe and made a tart for the first time since her stroke
- Mrs JW – Learned why she was unable to communicate properly and learned how to come to terms with her aphasia
- Mr LT – Greatly enjoyed an opportunity to talk about his hobbies with people who understood his difficulties
- Mr RM (3) – Gained reassurance at using his total communication methods and inspired another member to try AAC in his next workshop. With his regained confidence he is looking to join more groups to help others with woodwork.
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT UPDATE
We have now successfully provided face to face volunteer training for three volunteers. We have Nicoletta joining the C+ workshop Alderney for the September intake and Mark has now also completed his full induction process to become our first volunteer to provide 1:1 telephone support. Nicoletta will be supporting group facilitation and providing assistance to those who need more support with communication. Mark will be boosting confidence using the telephone by providing general conversation, games, activities and quizzes.
AECC COLLABORATION
All very exciting! We will be working with AECC from January. Whilst C+ will be able to hold workshops at the Pokesdown college, students can also benefit from working with people with aphasia post stroke. It will be a great environment for C+ participants and a wonderful opportunity for AECC students to be involved in long term community provision. A big thankyou to Lucie Rochfort.
TENACITY – DETERMINATION – NEVER GIVE UP
Georgia has completed three workshops blocks spanning four years. In her first workshop, her goal was to get out of her wheelchair and by the end of the first workshop she walked from the door to her seat (approximately 3 meters) and sat down, unaided. She wanted to start joining groups to support her communication and talk to as many people as possible.
By the second workshop she had gained enough confidence to re-join a social group she used to run prior to stroke, join a new exercise group for people with neurological injury, and start to use the telephone independently.
A very emotional last workshop saw Georgia complete a mile walk. She has grown in confidence so much that she now wants to give back and is looking to start a new group for people with communication disability in Bournemouth. Watch this space…..
“Georgia demonstrates an enormous amount of determination and courage. She is inspirational to others in rebuilding their lives after stroke and encompasses the whole essence of what Communication Plus strives towards. We are exceptionally proud of her…
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
September 2022
– Kinson (Pelhams Clinic) starting Monday 12th September – (3 places remaining)
– Poole (Alderney Hospital) starting Thursday 15th September – (Full)
– Blandford (Blandford Hospital) Friday 16th September – (2 places remaining)
January 2023
– Portland Hospital (3 places remaining),
– Pokesdown (New AECC collaboration!)
– one other location; referral dependent. Dates and Times TBA.
APHASIA CHOIR
Bournemouth – 2nd Block! Weekly on a Thursday for 6 weeks. November 10th-15th December. 1-2pm.
If you have any enquiries or referrals please do get in touch: dhc.communicationplus@nhs.net