Guardian Public Service Awards 2017 digital and technology winner: Airedale NHS foundation trust

Airedale’s stammering therapy project is making a real difference to patients who would have otherwise been unable to access help

‘I’m sad about all the missed opportunities for friendships,” Alex said before starting speech therapy. “I’ve tried to escape from my stammer. I’ve failed.” A month later, the 27-year-old had a different outlook. “The world suddenly seems full of possibilities,” he said.

Another patient, Nadim, 47, had been petrified of saying his own name, but was discharged happily after four therapy sessions, saying he was no longer scared of his stammer. And soon after his first session, Liam, 29, took his young children to the park. It was the first time he had dared go out with them on his own, finally free of the fear he would be unable to ask for help if something bad happened.

I’ve had people saying they’ve been trying for years to get help ... People have told me this has changed their lives

Related: How technology is changing speech and language therapy

Continue reading... November 29, 2017 at 03:25PM