Being able to communicate is the essence of being human, but for people with aphasia words are often stuck inside their heads. The frustration of knowing what you want to say, but struggling to say it, is very hard to fully appreciate.


The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. Every 11 minutes in the UK three people will have a stroke and one in three people who survive will have aphasia (which can also be caused by other brain injuries). No two people are the same, but aphasia can affect a person’s ability to speak, to read and to write, as well as to deal with numbers. Many with this disability feel isolated from the world and lonely, and, at its worst, the effects can be devastating, with a loss of career, friends, family and community life.


People with aphasia want to reconnect with everyday life, and this is where the Oxford Drop-in helps. Launched in autumn 2012, the Drop-in welcomes people with aphasia so that they can come together in a relaxing environment, share stories, offer ideas, support each other and rebuild confidence. Simply meeting up in a friendly setting to catch up with others in a supportive environment is an invaluable lifeline to many. The approach is supported by local doctors, speech and language therapists and community stroke reviewers in Oxfordshire.


People from all walks of life come to Drop-in. ‘Peer leaders’, who themselves have aphasia, run the groups and they are supported by volunteers and ‘peer mentor’ Nicola Davies. As Nicola says: “What I really love about the Drop-in is that those who have aphasia lead the group. They know personally what it is like to live with aphasia and this makes all the difference. With the training and expertise offered by Connect to all volunteers we are able to reach out and support people across Oxfordshire who have communication difficulties.”


Drop-in is always keen to welcome new members. The group meets from 2pm to 4.30pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Summertown’s North Oxford Association Community Centre, in Diamond Place. Sessions are free and friends or family are welcome too.     
Contact Chrissie Wright for more information.


Call 01865 604 329
Email chrissie.wright65@gmail.com
Visit Connect, the Communication Disability Network website at http://www.ukconnect.org