Hello and thank you for taking time to read our newsletter.

Member quote: "[I come to the group to] learn how people live with aphasia, and having a laugh at aphasia speed." - Mark Chappell, Skipton.

 

 

NEWS

FAREWELL

We say goodbye to Mark and Caroline Chappell, who have been running our group in Skipton for the last 6 years.

These two incredible people have achieved so much over the years; and I mean SO MUCH.... 

 

Santa Fun Run to raise awareness and money...

 

 

Interactive Art exhibitions to raise awareness of aphasia...

 

Recorded conversations with Peer Leaders to raise awareness and understanding...

 

Epic Christmas Parties!

 

Thank you Mark and Caroline for your dedication to Say Aphasia and the aphasia community.

  

 

NEW GROUP

THAME

We welcome our new peer leader, Kate Wilcox and her husband, Steve Wilcox who will support the group.

 

 

 

ART EXHIBITION

Janine North, our peer leader in Hayling Island, curated an art exhibition of her work at Oxmarket Gallery in Chichester.

Following the deaths of her father, mother, and daughter, within the space of six years, and while recovering from a stroke in 2019 and learning to live with aphasia, Jan began using art as a means of escape and healing.

During a sleepless night, she instinctively began painting with wild abandon, finding peace and emotional release in her creative expression. This moment marked the birth of her "Crazy" series, a powerful collection of 22 Neurographic Art pieces, with more still emerging.  

Neurographic Art, developed by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev in 2014, combines creativity with neuroscience. By drawing fluid, intuitive lines and shapes that mirror the brain's neural pathways, the technique activates neuroplasticity, allowing the mind to form new connections and promoting emotional healing. For Jan, this artistic style became a pathway to self-discovery and well-being.  

Her passion for supporting others led her to join SayAphasia, a charity close to her heart, that helps those with communication difficulties. After attending their support group in Chichester, Janine established her own peer-led SayAphasia group on Hayling Island in April. In support of the charity's mission, she has pledged to donate at least 10% of the proceeds from this exhibition to SayAphasia.  

Jan’s artistic exploration continues to evolve. Starting with acrylics, she has since embraced oils, inks, and watercolours, always eager to experiment and push creative boundaries. Through her art, she channels her emotions and experiences, finding both solace and joy in the process.  

Her motto, proudly displayed on one of her "Crazy" paintings, perfectly captures her spirit:  

"Never give up on the things that make you smile."  

Jan’s work is not only a testament to her talent but also an inspiring reminder of art’s power to heal, connect, and transform.

   

 

FUNDRAISING

Super Swim

Our Service Manager Lauren and Sussex Speech and Language Therapist, Kirsty Maguire took on an epic swimming challenge.

 

They swam as a team alternating a 1km swim every hour for 24 hours.

Every hour on the hour one team member swam 1km in the outdoor pool at Hillingdon Lido in London.

Swimming through the night was long and cold, but they did it! Raising £2,500!

 

   

 

Knitting and Nattering for Aphasia

Lisa Thomas the Clinical Lead for Stroke Speech & Language Therapy at Evesham Community Hospital organised a knitting fundraiser, raising £200. We cannot wait to see what they made!

 

GRANTS & DONATIONS

The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia has granted Say Aphasia money to ensure the charity has the resources to continue to grow and thrive with essential support from our dedicated team. 

 

The Rotary Club of Skipton Craven are paying for our venue fees at Skipton Town Hall for 12 months from January 2025.

 

Colin did a presentation for the Inner Wheel Rotary Club who donated £1,000.

 

Abbeymead Rovers FC Walking-Football members, during the month of June, donated £1.00 every time they took part in the walking football session.

This fundraiser was initiated by their own player Chris Greenhough, our Gloucester peer leader. They raised £200.

 

NETWORKING

SUSSEX

Sussex University ran a research project called “Knowledge Exchange and Impact Sussex Public and Community Engagement Project”. Our Hove volunteers attended their event to raise awareness and share their experiences of living with aphasia. 

 

Colin Lyall has also been part of the steering group for the Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (ISDN) Rehabilitation and Moving Forward with stroke Collaborative Oversight Group to ensure a better service for stroke patients in Sussex.

 

Emma Jupp the Senior Manager in Clinical Outcomes is helping to promote Say Aphasia within the Sussex Stroke Wards.

 

DARLINGTON 

Pete, our peer leader in Darlington has continued to offer inspiring presentations across County Durham.

The feedback is always positive! "The presentation was wonderful and really gave us insight into how we can help those with Aphasia". Sean Myers, Area manager.

"The presentation was really engaging but more importantly you were personally really inspiring. The feedback from the managers has been around how much they have taken away from your session to help others." Nina Rose Head of Branches.

Pete has presented to: Darlington Borough Council, Healthwatch, Age UK, Newcastle Building Society, Darlington Building Society, U3A, Mondelez.

Pete has also spoken on the podcast, On The Tip of My Tongue and on ITV Tees radio.

SALISBURY

Speech and Language Therapist, Nadine Crook did a talk about Say Aphasia to her local speech therapy team.

 

INTERNATIONAL

Hanka, our Say Aphasia ambassador, went to Italy to visit Giuseppe Bobbo, who she met at the Association Internationale Aphasie (AIA) last year. She listened to his Aphasia choir and visited the drop-in group. There she gave her talk and then did Tango therapy. It was great fun for everyone!

  

 

 

GROUP NEWS

Day trip in Darlington

Day trips are invaluable to our members, as it offers the opportunity to build on confidence with becoming more independent after a stroke or brain injury.

People with aphasia often lose confidence going out alone, as tasks like ordering food or telling a bus driver their destination become real struggles; causing frustration, embarrassment, confusion and can be very tiresome. 

It's often easier to learn how to handle these situations when surrounded by peers.

 

 

Exeter - a poem from a member with aphasia 

Living with Aphasia

I will live with Aphasia for the rest of my life
And sometimes I won’t understand you
I may want to ask you for help now and then
But my words are just not able to get through

Inside my mind I seem to understand
Just what you are asking me to say
Then I can’t remember why I’m here
I sometimes wish I could just hide away

There are people that often look at me
And find it strange when I ask for a hand
They can’t see the confusion I’m having inside
Why can’t they please try to understand

I’m not stupid but I do have Aphasia
And it may be hard some days for me to survive
Yet just a little bit of support in my life
Will mean I’m here, I’m staying, I’m alive

  

BBC Radio Sussex & BBC Radio Surrey Make A Difference Awards

From Monday 15^th September, BBC radio are going to be celebrating Colin Lyall on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey.

Here are the dates:

Monday 15^th September: Featuring Colin Lyall

HOW DO PEOPLE WITH APHASIA FEEL ABOUT OUR SUPPORT GROUPS?

We asked our members to rate how much they agree with the below statements.

1 meaning they don't agree, and 10 meaning they do agree.

If you would like to tell us how we are doing, please get in contact via email, WhatsApp, or phone Colin Lyall on 07796 143118.

 

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Shop online and raise money for Say Aphasia with Give As You Live

  

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