Aphasia (sometimes called Dysphasia) is the medical term for loss of speech and language caused by damage to the language centres of the brain.  It comes as the result of a stroke, head injury, brain tumour or neurological illness such as M.S. or Meningitis

A person with Aphasia may be unable to speak, to read or to write.  Intellect is generally unaffected – people know what they want to say – but they can’t find the words.  An estimated 250,000 people have Aphasia in the UK and around 30,000 new people will experience Aphasia every year.

Speakability is the UK`s national charity supporting people living with Aphasia (whatever the cause) and their carers, by offering a Helpline, publications, training resources for carers and a national network of Aphasia Self-Help Groups. 

The charity was founded as ‘Action for Dysphasic Adults’ in 1979 by Diana Law who had personal experience of Aphasia. Speakability also campaigns for better services and greater understanding of Aphasia by encouraging its supporters to be the ‘voice’ of those who have this communication disability.

Throughout the year we work with Speakability to support a number of projects and campaigns.

If you would like to contact Speakability please contact the Chief Executive, Melanie Derbyshire here or visit their website here.

Says Darrell Kofkin, Chief Executive of Global Marketing Network, about it`s decision to support Speakability:

"We work in a profession that is hugely dependent upon our ability to communicate effectively with people. Imagine the consequences if we were to lose that ability? Speakability helps thousands of peope each year and we are delighted to be working with Speakability to help raise their profile and awareness."