Community Dysphasia & Communication Support Group

This Scheme is designed to facilitate the provision, by the Trust of facilitated social opportunities for people with all levels of communication impairment following stroke or as a result of fronto-temporal dementia Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)/Semantic Dementia. Concurrently to facilitate opportunities for carers of people with communication impairment following stroke to meet together and develop self-help groups. This scheme will: • Organise and facilitate established Communication Groups with a registered Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist and expert patient in three locations in South Gloucestershire for stroke survivors, people with fronto-temporal dementia Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)/Semantic Dementia and their carers.

• Yate - Ridgewood Community Centre - 18 sessions per group over 12 months.

• Thornbury - The Chantry, Castle Street - 18 sessions per group over 12 months.

• Longwell Green Community Centre - 18 sessions per group over 12 months.

• Group for people with early stage fronto-temporal dementia PPA/Semantic dementia variant - 18 sessions per group over 12 months, Longwell Green Community Centre

• In addition the scheme will: o Facilitate social participation o Help build confidence o Promote social inclusion and prevent social isolation o Promote wellbeing of people with communication impairment following stroke or onset of fronto-temporal dementia PPA/semantic dementia variant and their carers o Enable opportunities to support the maintenance of skills and levels of communication o Provide information and support regarding stroke or fronto-temporal dementia PPA/semantic dementia variant for people with communication impairment following these diagnosis and their carers.