Stammering Support Group wins grant

WARRINGTON Stammering Support Group (WSG) are celebrating after being awarded over £2,800 thanks to the Community Grant programme offered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Based at Halliwell Jones Stadium, WSG were awarded £2,864 which paid for ten group members to attend the British Stammerers Association (BSA) conference on employability. The grant also allowed new members to attend a Star Fish Course which provides them with effective speech therapy and free lifetime support.
Support Group Leader and founder at WSG, Yinka Dolan comments: “Over four million people in the UK suffer from communication difficulties. WSG was formed in a bid to help those in the local community suffering with a stammer or similar problems. It is important that people are aware of techniques and support that may help them.
“For years we wanted to provide members with the opportunity to attend the BSA conference to improve their employability skills and encourage attendees to find permanent or better roles, but we simply couldn’t afford it. That was until we contacted the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.”
The BSA conference aims to help attendees overcome the many obstacles those with a stammer face when attending job interviews, dealing with workplace demands as well as helping to improve their confidence within a professional environment.
Yinka adds: “Each person who attended the conference commented on how it has helped to build their confidence and encouraged them to take that one step further to improving their lives. We simply cannot thank the Coalfields Regeneration Trust enough for giving us this opportunity.”
Head of Operations (England) at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andy Lock said: “Warrington Stammering Support Group is yet another strong example of the great work that is going on within the coalfield communities. We are so pleased that we are able to identify and support organisations that have a lasting and positive impact on those they engage with.”
Due to the success of the programmes delivered through the funds, including Warrington Stammering Support Group, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has extended the grants available with the announcement that a further £250,000 will be added to the funding pot of £1m, which was made available to community groups and organisations from April 2014.
WSG are inviting members of the local community wishing to improve their employability skills, to join them on Saturday 28thFebruary for a Public Speaking and Interview Workshop, for more information visit www.warringtonstammeringsupportgroup.org.uk.