Ireland’s first hybrid Aphasia Conversation Group, located in Donegal, has won a major national award.
Aphasia is an acquired language impairment and the most common cause of is stroke. One in every three people who have a stroke will experience aphasia and it is estimated that approximately 100 people every year in Donegal are affected. Aphasia can affect understanding of language and/or the words and sentences used.
As a consequence, aphasia can result in social isolation and low mood, since it is more difficult to have conversations. This can impact negatively on friendships, relationships, occupations and past times.
The Donegal Aphasia Café was recognised last week at the HSE Bright Spark Awards, where frontline innovation is celebrated and rewarded.
The national Best Health and Social Care Profession (HSCP) Lead Project was awarded to Dr Louise Sterritt and team members Larry Masterson, Denise Duggan and Rory Kavanagh for Ireland’s first hybrid Aphasia Conversation Group.
Also known as an Aphasia Café, it was established in Donegal in October 2022. It was the result of planning and collaboration between Dr Louise Sterritt, Senior Speech and Language Therapist, and Larry Masterson, Aphasia Advocate and Stroke Survivor and Thriver. The initiative was facilitated and supported by Denise Duggan, Donegal Speech and Language Therapy Manager, and Rory Kavanagh, Community Health Network Manager Donegal North.
Mandy Doyle, HSE CH CDLMS Head of Service, Primary Care congratulated Dr Sterritt, her team and all involved in the Aphasia Café.
“This group is a first of its kind in Ireland and is of enormous benefit to the community. I am delighted to see all of the hard work and commitment that went into it acknowledged on a national stage,” she said.
Dr Louise Sterritt explained the fortnightly meetings alternate between face-to-face meetings and online.
“This hybrid format has made the meetings more accessible to people living with aphasia all across Donegal. Some members prefer face-to-face meetings whereas others prefer joining from the comfort of their home,” she said.
Currently the monthly face-to-face meetings take place in the Central Library, Letterkenny. However, the group hopes to travel to all the networks in the county as an aphasia café ‘roadshow, further increasing both accessibility for all as well as awareness of the group.
For further information on the group or for information on the next meeting dates, contact Louise on louise.sterritt@hse.ie or 087 1047333.
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