Communication Service Supporter
Stroke Association
- Age: 18+
- Cookstown/Magherafelt
- Training provided
Hours
12 week Programme - dates and times to be confirmed
About the Volunteer Opportunity
About 30% of stroke survivors will experience communication difficulties after their stroke which can make daily living extremely challenging. Communication service supporters assist stroke survivors whose communication has been affected by their stroke to develop new strategies to aid their communication. In doing so they help people to build their confidence, achieve personal goals and promote independence.
What the role involves:
- Some of our communication service supporters assist stroke survivors in developing their communication skills in small groups under direction of SLT
- Other communication service supporters assist stroke survivors in developing their communication skills online
Who the role might suit:
- To be an effective communication service supporter you need great listening skills and be able to support people in an empathetic and non-judgemental way.
- You need to be willing to learn and use the technique, called ‘supported conversation’, that is used to support people with communication difficulties.
- If you are someone who enjoys conversation, meeting new people and likes to try new things, then this role might be a good one for you.
- Our communication service supporters also need to be able to adapt to the specific needs of the person they are working with in order to support them in the most appropriate way.
Training for this role:
They provide all of their communication service supporters with training so they feel confident in the role and give the best possible support to stroke survivors.
Mandatory training that you need to undertake for this role is as follows:
- The Stroke Association People Induction (2.5hrs online).
- Personal Safety for Volunteers (a two-hour online learning webinar) which is only mandatory if you are visiting stroke survivors in their homes or out in the community.
- Communications Access Course (45 mins online)
- Communication Disability Awareness Training – Aphasia, Dysarthria, Dyspraxia (3hrs). Total Communication Approach to support and enhance communication (2hrs). Both delivered by a NI Speech &Language Therapist
Additional learning opportunities are available to develop your skills and experience: They have a range of other training and information available – if there is something you feel you would like to understand more about, or would like to gain confidence with, do let us know. They also offer ongoing support and expenses where appropriate.
About the Organisation
Stroke is one of the biggest killers in Northern Ireland and a leading cause of disability, with nearly 5,000 strokes occurring each year. There are close to 39,000 stroke survivors living in Northern Ireland.
We’re here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke.
We provide specialist support, fund critical research and campaign to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.
Rebuilding lives after a stroke is a team effort. It takes the determination of stroke survivors and carers, the generosity of supporters and the dedication of the healthcare and research communities to get there.
To help in the recovery of stroke survivors we provide information, support and advice. Our key areas of work include:
Support services
Our support services help hundreds of thousands of people through one of the most frightening experiences of their lives and build a life after stroke. Our support services include but are not limited to emotional support and communication support.
Information
Our information is based on accurate and up-to-date evidence. We ask stroke survivors and their families, as well as medical experts, to help us when putting our information together.
Research
Our research helps to improve treatments, care and rehabilitation, saving thousands of lives and helping stroke survivors make the best recovery they can.
Fundraising
Through our busy events schedule, including Resolution Runs and Bake a difference, our fundraisers work nationally and with local communities to raise much-needed funds to support stroke survivors.
Campaigning
We are the force for change. By listening to and working with people affected by stroke, we drive improvements in stroke care. Through initiatives such as the FAST campaign, developed with the Department of Health, we have been hugely successful in making more people aware of the signs of a stroke and the importance of taking emergency action.
Volunteering
Our fantastic volunteers play a vital role in the recovery of stroke survivors across the UK. We provide training and resources so that our volunteers are well equipped to help stroke survivors with their recovery and rehabilitation.
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Register your interest
Volunteers may be required to complete an Access NI disclosure for some volunteering roles. A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a volunteer position.
