The Harrogate Aphasia Cafe is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10.30 - 12. The role involves supporting people after stroke or head injury who have communication difficulties. As a volunteer, you would be expected to help by supporting people with communication difficulties to engage in conversation. Training will be provided by a speech and language therapist and we aim to have a team of volunteers supporting on the day.
We’re looking for people who could spare just a few hours a week to make a huge difference to the lives of those with aphasia. Prior experience is not necessary for this role as training and support is given, however you will need:
• Good communication skills
• Ability to be calm in the face of difficult situations and able to escalate safeguarding concerns, should they arise, to the appropriate named contact.
• IT literate and able to work independently
• Friendly, positive and patient
• Available for just a few hours twice a month
• Over 18 years of age
The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10.30 - 12 at Knaresborough Road Health Centre in Harrogate.
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Aphasia Support match people with aphasia (speech and communication difficulties) with a trained volunteer who will support the person to work on their goals using a variety of computer therapy programs available on Windows, iPad and Android devices, alongside supported conversation techniques.
All our volunteers are trained by speech therapists on the various computer therapy programs we support as well as supported conversation techniques to assist with befriending our clients, who are often elderly.
Speak With IT lends equipment and software to people so that they can test and determine which program best suits their needs. Our volunteers visit clients in their homes or online over Zoom videocalls (depending on availability and preference) to support them as they try the various therapies, giving family members and carers a little respite.
