Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Can you make a difference to the life of someone who has suffered a stroke?
Volunteers are urgently needed to help make a difference to the lives of stroke survivors in Cumbria.
The Speech after Stroke Scheme gives both emotional and practical support to people who have on-going communication problems following a stroke. The scheme is run by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and a team of dedicated volunteers work alongside the NHS Trust staff to provide the best possible service to patients.
Volunteering not only makes a difference to the person you are helping but can give an enormous sense of satisfaction to the volunteer.
Judy Hall, 75, lives in Seascale and has been a volunteer for the Whitehaven group for 26 years, she said:
"As volunteers we ensure the members of the speech after stroke group feel relaxed and because of this they respond comfortably. We notice great improvements taking place and the members blossom over time. They love coming and, of course, this gives us great job satisfaction knowing that what we do is really appreciated and makes a difference to people's lives. We make every effort as volunteers to give everyone a happy afternoon, members and volunteers alike".
The scheme has groups that meet in Cockermouth, Whitehaven, Millom and Wigton and volunteers are needed in each of these areas. As a volunteer you can give your time on a regular or ad hoc basis and full training is provided.
Volunteers typically help out at support groups, make home visits or hospital visits (under guidance from a speech and language therapist), provide support and guidance for specific interest groups like IT, art and sport or provide help for visits to local attractions like Muncaster Castle and Maryport Aquarium or local garden centres.
The role of the volunteers cannot be overestimated. Alison Tams is the Speech after Stroke Co-ordinator. She said:
"The Speech After Stroke Scheme volunteers give all this help and support in their own time and free of charge. It is a fact that the Speech After Stroke Scheme could not function without them. The support of the volunteers doesn't go unnoticed and the Speech After Stroke Scheme volunteers recently won a Cumbria Partnership Spotlight Award for their contribution to the scheme. "
The Speech after Stroke Scheme is run by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
For more information and to discuss how to become a volunteer please contact Alison Tam, Speech after Stroke Scheme Co-ordinator on 01900 705082 or email alison.tams@cumbria.nhs.uk