Communicat ting confidence; A new project i s helping people e gain a greater r insight into those living wit th aphasia. Health h Reporter HELEN RAE finds out more. e.

ANEW project helping people Tyneside w have suffered stroke to get back everyday life and impro the way they commun ate. is in hoa to ove ichich Aphasia is a condition wh impairs people's ability to co municate and is caused by br damage suffered from stroke. omain It can affect all aspects communication including spee understanding what is sa reading, writing and sometim numbers. of ech, aid, mes Many people benefit fr speech and language therapy help their recovery after a stro but often they also need help adjust long term in everyday lif This is where CHANT comes The name Communication H for Aphasia in North Tyneside w chosen by the very people project aims to help. rom y to oke, p to fe. s in. Hub was the orth by angside CHANT is funded through No Tyneside Council and is run Kath Mumby, a speech and la uage therapist with North Tynes Primary Care Trust and Sa Taylor, a communication supp coordinator for The Stro Association.

rah port oke Dr Mumby said: "The aim is support people with long-te aphasia after stroke, and th partners or carers, to help th adjust to their communicat problems and 'get their life bac s to erm heir hem tion k'.

"But to be a real success project needs volunteers. the "We want to use the skills people with aphasia as they are experts. s of the "With support they help tr volunteers and other key people rain e in North Tyneside to have increased insight into aphasia and how to help communication.

"There are no particular qualifications for volunteering: just the ability to be a good listener." Volunteers are trained to offer both one-to-one and group support. They help people make the first steps to further independence, or encourage them at home.

CHANT offers group and individual support for people returning to real life activities in terms of work vocation and leisure. To achieve this CHANT runs short courses to give people confidence and skills before trying something new. Volunteers may also support people trying to use existing services such as libraries and adult learning courses.

Dr Mike Guy, medical director for NHS North of Tyne, said: "Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in England.

"In the event of someone suffering a stroke we have a range of services in the North of Tyne area delivered by specialist staff to treat and rehabilitate patients in hospital and rehabilitation units.

"When a patient is ready to return home, they will be able to access rehabilitation and support in their own home."

If you want to volunteer contact Dr Katharyn Mumby on 07554 334 981 or email Katharyn. [e-mail] or Sarah Taylor on 07534 915 763 or email sarah.taylor @stroke.org.uk.

How to get more information THE Stroke Information Service is for patients, their carers and families and friends in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Have you had a stroke? Do you know someone who has had a stroke? Do you need some information? Information is available on: What a stroke is How to prevent a stroke Who might be able to help Support groups Welfare rights and benefits Health services For more information call or email the Stroke Information Service: Newcastle Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] North Tyneside Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Leave a message if your call is not answered and your call will be returned as soon as possible. All enquiries are welcome.

What is a stroke? A STROKE is a loss of brain function due to a clot or bleed in the brain.

FAST is a simple test to help people to recognise the signs of stroke and understand the importance of fast emergency treatment.

FAST - Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999.

A stroke spreads like fire in the brain and swift emergency action can limit damage and dramatically increase a person''s chances of surviving and of avoiding longterm disability.

A stroke carries the same risk factors as a heart attack such as: high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol. Making lifestyle changes with diet, alcohol consumption, stopping smoking and exercise can lower your risk of suffering a stroke.

Winnie is battling back WINNIE Robinson suffered a stroke 10 years ago which affected her mobility and communication.

The 59-year-old was in hospital for three months and had physiotherapy to help her mobility.

She couldn't walk and had physiotherapy to help the movement in her limbs.

"I was determined one day to walk and I kept going, explained the mum-of-three. "It took a long time to take my first steps again. It was another year to 18 months until my speech came back."

Winnie, of Benton, North Tyneside, was diagnosed with aphasia.

She had always been an average reader but that changed with aphasia which means she struggles to read.

Winnie's speech was also affected by the stroke, although she can make herself understood and enjoys a good chat. She said: "My speech is OK but sometimes I want to say something that doesn't come out.

"My mind is sharp and when it won't come out right it can be soul destroying.

"I have help with my reading and writing." Winnie's husband Michael, 57, helps her each day.

She added: "We work as a team more or less.

"I couldn't be without him - it would be awful.

"He really helps me in everyday life and that is why I think the volunteers on this project are so important in supporting people with this condition.

"I am really pleased with the work they are doing to help me communicate."

150,000 have a stroke each year APHASIA is a communication impairment most commonly caused by the brain damage from stroke.

It can affect all aspects of communication, including; Expressing yourself In speech Writing (including computers) Understanding other people's speech Reading It sometimes affects dealing with numbers too.

According to figures from the Stroke Association, every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke. That's an estimated 150,000 people per year. In North Tyneside alone there are about 1,120 people living with aphasia after stroke (based on population statistics and the National Stroke Strategy, 2007). Due to communication difficulty as well as mobility problems, people can become socially isolated.

CAPTION(S):

HELPING - Sarah Taylor of the Stroke Association explains the CHANT philosophy nts PROGRESS - Aphasia patien Norman Gayner, left, and Norman Blain COMMUNICATION - Speech and language therapist Kath Mumby aims to help stroke patients 'get their life back' TEAM WORK - Winnie Robinson with husband and helper Michael