Charity celebrates 10 years with an appeal for Halifax volunteers

Speak With IT is celebrating 10 years of supporting people with aphasia with an appeal for volunteers in Halifax.

The charity supports people with aphasia to work on communication goals using therapy apps on an iPad and supported conversation. Volunteers provide one to one support in the home and over video call.

Aphasia often occurs when people have had a stroke or brain injury, damaging the communications centre of the brain and affecting speech and the ability to communicate with others. The charity aims to supplement the work of speech and language therapists and charities such as Stroke Association to improve communication and help combat loneliness.

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Charity Manager, James Major explains why this is an important year for SWIT: "The last year has been really difficult for everyone but especially for people with disabilities like aphasia. There is a strong link between disability and social isolation and the pandemic has made the situation worse.

"It feels right that to mark our 10 year anniversary we are returning to what is our charity’s USP – providing face to face communication support for people with aphasia. This is a positive step forward and we need volunteers from all part of Yorkshire to get involved and help people with disabilities like aphasia re connect with wider society.

"As we tentatively emerge from lockdown, the charity is currently witnessing a resurgence in demand for the service and has a waiting list of people requesting support.

"We are keen to hear from new Volunteer Speech Support Workers from across Halifax to meet demand. It would be a great opportunity for someone who wants to give back to their community or who has an interest in speech and language therapy.

"The hours for this opportunity are flexible, beginning at 2 and a half hours per month with travel expenses covered."

The deadline for applications is Friday, May 28. For more information on how to become a Volunteer Speech Support Worker visit www.speakwithit.org/volunteer and complete an application form or call the Speak With IT office on 01924 888608 for an informal chat.