Thanks to Debbie Mason and Anna Prince for sharing information about a play currently staged at the Bristol Old Vic theatre, about a 12 year old boy who stammers. The whole theatre company have been keen to engage with the stammering community and SLTs. Anna, Debbie and STAMMA have been involved in the consultation process. The performance is being globally streamed : 24th – 26th March 22 So don't miss the opportunity to watch a 5* production ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An audience roaring with laughter and love from the first minute
What's On Stage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Unmissable
UK Theatre Web ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A roller coaster of emotion
Bristol Post ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ inventive and expressive
Everything Theatre ★ ★ ★ ★ Boundingly imaginative
The Times ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It's some kind of wonderful
The Guardian 'Sonny is twelve. Living with a stammer, he is finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’s not forget the biggest beast of them all – small talk. A comic book hero of Sonny’s own creation helps him to soar above his bleak reality – but language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the Headteacher, he soon finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks. Dive head-first into the wondrous and heartbreaking Wonder Boy , written by the “fresh and fearless” (Evening Standard) Ross Willis ( Wolfie ) and directed by the Olivier-award winning Sally Cookson ( A Monster Calls ).' Find out more or book your tickets here:

We are thrilled to let you know that the Talking Out Residential will be running in October 22 and they are now accepting referrals. As ever, places are limited, so please refer quickly. More information can be found on the website: www.talkingout.co.uk Who
The residential is open to any young person who stammers, who is of secondary school age and who lives in the UK.
When
Sunday 23rd October to Friday 28th October.
Where
The residential takes place at Bewerley Park in North Yorkshire. Families need to be able to drop off and pick up from the Centre.
How much
The residential is fully funded by Action for Stammering Children, so there is no cost to families or SLT services.
How to refer
In order for a referral to be accepted we need to receive a referral form completed by the young person’s parent or guardian. They also ask for a referral form from an SLT to accompany this if possible. Referrals can be made via the website:, or by following this link: Questions
If you, or a family would like to talk to one of the team, please email admin@talkignout.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively please text Teresa Howarth on 07783943735 and she will arrange a time to speak by phone. Thanks to Ben for sharing this exciting news! Ben Bolton-Grant Speech and Language Therapist Talking Out Ltd ben@talkingout.co.uk

STAMMA shared an update on We need to hear and see people who stammer on TV & radio all year round, not just a day. Check it out and leave a comment: International Stammering Awareness Day 2022 We are coming up to International Stammering Awareness Day - and are about to hit 25,000 signatures. Brilliant, thank you for signing. Can you help give it one last push on your social media channels. BE SEEN & JOIN US if you can and present this petition to the BBC in London and BBC & ITV in Manchester at 12:00 on 22nd. Email mail@stamma.org for details.
BE HEARD. Ring a radio station over the ISAD weekend and take part in phone-ins. Whether it's Gardener's Question Time, Women's Hour, or the breakfast show on your local radio station. STAMMA are running two online group briefings on Zoom on Wednesday 12th October to support and train anyone considering doing a phone-in: If you've signed because you saw STAMMAs ad in the cinema, do consider signing up and helping us create space for people who stammer, stamma.org/join. We also provide information, a helpline and webchat service if you need support or information.

ACTION FOR STAMMERING CHILDREN have shared their exciting schedule for International Stammering Awareness Day 2022: Wednesday 19th Oct, 17.30 – 20.00 – Stammer Stories Live This will be Stammer Stories’ first live podcast recording to celebrate International Stammering Awareness Day 2022. The event will be hosted by William Laven who will be joined on the sofa by TikTok sensation Mimi Darling Beauty. More details and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stammer-stories-40-live-with-mimi-darling-beauty-tickets-425670189997 Friday 21st Oct, 1pm – 3.30pm – My Stammering Child film launch The release of My Stammering Child will take place in Hull Minster with guests including Nick Hewer, President of RCSLT, and Leeds United professional footballer, Luke Ayling. Free tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/my-stammering-child-film-premiere-tickets-427576451677 Or livestream the event on the day via YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/c/HumberTeachingNHSFoundationTrust Also, on Tuesday we held a free online event with the author, Anne-Marie Conway, about her new book ‘How to be more Hedgehog’. In case of interest, here is the link to the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsL6Uixxc2E

Sharon Millard has shared information about a steering group she is part of. It is being led by the James Lind Alliance, working with Action for Stammering Children. The aim of the project is to identify the top 10 most important areas for research in stammering. The group is seeking the opinions of SLTs, people who stammer or have stammered, parents of children who stammer, friends, colleagues, relatives and professionals working with people who stammer (eg teachers).
Please find below the link to a questionnaire where you can nominate your top three research priorities. Please do take the time to do this, your views are important!

It was wonderful to see over 100 of our members were able to join us and Professor Vivian Sisskin to discuss the Social Model of Disability and it's application to Stammering Therapy on Thursday last week. It was a really interesting study session and one with lots of food for thought and clinical impact. If you were not able to attend but would like to listen to the talk, it is now available in the members area on our website: https://www.dysfluencycen.co.uk/studydayvideos If you have not yet signed up for membership and want to view the video, please head to the membership page to sign up for your 12mth subscription. This video will be available on the website for 3mths and so will be accessible until 25/01/2022 at which point it will be removed. If you would like to start a discussion with other members about this topic or any other topic, please head to the chat forum on our website and share your thoughts: https://www.dysfluencycen.co.uk/membersforum Save the date for our next study day which is currently being planned and will be on 22nd February 2022. Enjoy and take care!

Thank you to all our members who attended the 2021 AGM meeting today (21/20/2021) at the beginning of our study day meeting. As promised here are the committee member reports to give you an overview of all the wonderful work that has been going on with the CEN over the last year. If you have any feedback/questions related to the AGM please get in touch at nationaldysfluencycen@gmail.com.

Debbie Mason is a specialist Stammering SLT and is currently Clinical Lead for the regional NHS Adult Stammering Service at North Bristol Trust. Until 2020 she was joint Clinical Lead for the Paediatric Stammering Service in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Debbie is also a Hypnotherapist and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner with trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. She weaves these approaches through her work with clients with Functional Neurological Symptoms (FNS) to help them uncover the resources they need to be well. Debbie is currently doing a project on Best Care Pathways for SLT Clients with Functional Neurological Symptoms at North Bristol Trust. North Bristol Trust is home to the Rosa Burden Centre, a specialist regional centre for the assessment and treatment of people with FNS and has inpatient and outpatient programmes. Debbie is particularly interested in the “Positive Intention” behind symptoms and has used this principle to help clients resolve symptoms. This study day will aim to explore: Terminology – Functional / Psychogenic. Are we clear what we mean? Current Evidence Base – What do we know? Assessment and Diagnosis Therapy – What Works? Resources Client stories. Debbie can share stories of clients with successful outcomes. Please bring stories of any clients with successful outcomes that you would like to share. We will have break-out rooms so that SLTs can discuss their own thoughts and experiences.
We will also be hearing from Dr. Jennifer Chesters on her findings from a Covid Project. Jennifer is a Senior Research Associate in the BSLTRU, and a Speech and Language Therapist and Neuroscientist by background. She completed a Psychology degree at the University of St. Andrews, where she developed an interest in the neural basis of communication. She went on to qualify as an SLT in 2008, through the Speech and Language Sciences MSc course at UCL. She has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist in Learning Disability, Forensic Mental Health and Dysfluency services. The day will run from 09:30 - 15:30 online through ZOOM and will include tea/coffee breaks and a lunch break. The day will be recorded and the video will be available for CEN members to watch on the website for 3 months afterwards. Book your place now on our website www.dysfluencycen.co.uk

Huge thanks to Kirsten, our current Signal Editor: We are very grateful to Kirsten Howells for the many hours of hard work and dedication she has given to producing every edition of Signal over the last 3 years. As Kirsten's term comes to an end, we are able to offer up this opportunity to someone new. Please follow this link to hear more about the role from Kirsten:

Dear Members, Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of our team! We have a vacancy in the National CEN Committee: The role of COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY (previously Membership Secretary) This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a supportive, like-minded group of people, who are passionate about working with people who stammer and supporting speech and language therapists in increasing their knowledge and skills. Being part of the CEN committee allows you to learn, to network, and to prioritise some valuable CPD time. What will this role involve? · Supporting members with any queries. · Supporting registration of members on Study Days. · Sharing information with the membership · Moderating the Facebook CEN group. · Writing and updating website blogs. · Managing the National CEN inbox. What is the commitment? Committee membership is a 3 year role, which will add to your professional profile, CV, and CPD. There are 2 half-day online committee meetings per year and in addition each committee member is requested to submit an end of year report, summarising activity within their area. In recent years, the CEN has moved committee meetings and study days to an online platform, and we have developed a fantastic new website. These changes have resulted in a significant increase in our membership from across the UK and beyond. How can I apply? If you would like to apply, please submit a brief statement to our Chair, Ali Berquez, via email at ali.berquez@nhs.net , providing some information about you, your current job role & interests, and let us know why you would like to take on this role. If there is more than one applicant for each post, the committee will be asked to cast a vote on the applications received. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the role of Communications Secretary, please contact Debra, our current Communications Secretary on 07902281387, or by email at: debraacraven@hotmiail.com. Please feel free to distribute this email around your local SIGs, CENs, and colleagues. We are looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

We have been so blessed having Oli Cheadle and Rachel Everard on the NAT CEN committee for the last 3/4 years doing a superb job at organising study days and handling our finances. It's time for them to step down from the committee which means we have some vacancies and are very excited to welcome some new members on to the team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a supportive, like-minded group of people. It is an opportunity to learn from each other, to network and to prioritise some CPD time. All of us, without exception, would say that the experience has been valuable and good fun. What roles are available? There are two roles available from September 2021: Study Day Coordinator: Oli Cheadle’s term is due to come to an end in September 2021. There are three Study Day Coordinators on the committee, each of whom organises one Study Day per calendar year. Our current Study Day Coordinators, Ali Berquez and Steph Burgess, will remain in post and will work alongside you to organise the upcoming study days. Responsibilities: Planning and organising study days following input from members and the committee; Organising venues/online platforms; Organising speakers including travel and accommodation (where applicable); Negotiating payment for speakers (with support from Committee); Advertising study days (flyer); Welcoming speakers and introducing them on the day; Ensuring events run to time; Collating and evaluating feedback; Organising ‘thank you’ tokens (where applicable). Treasurer: Rachel Everard’s term as Treasurer is also due to come to an end in September 2021, leaving a vacancy. Some previous experience is helpful but is not a requirement. Rachel will provide a detailed handover and explanation of all CEN documents and processes to the new Committee member. Responsibilities: Monitoring membership/study day fees; Paying expenses and speakers’ fees; Keeping accurate and up-to-date accounts; Providing receipts as required; Sharing financial information as required. What is the commitment? Committee membership is a 3 year role, which will add to your professional profile, CV, and CPD. There are two Committee meetings per year and in addition each Committee member is requested to submit an end of year report summarising activity within their area. Travel to attend the committee meetings is funded by the CEN (depending on finances available) and a subsidy may be requested to attend the study days to ensure that there are enough of the Committee there to facilitate the day. Recently, as you may be aware, the CEN has moved meetings and Study Days to an online platform, which has allowed us to cut costs. How do I apply? If you would like to apply, please submit a brief statement to Kevin Fower via email at info@stammerspecialist.com before 1st September 2021 , summarising in no more than 500 words your professional background, the role you are applying for, and why you are interested in the role. Submissions will then be reviewed by the committee, with a final decision expected before the end of September 2021. If there is more than one applicant for each post, the Committee will be asked to vote on the basis of these applications. If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please call me on 07966 599984 or email me at info@stammerspecialist.com Best Wishes, Kevin Kevin Fower Chair National Dysfluency Clinical Excellence Network

We have a vacancy in the National CEN Committee: The role of COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY (previously Membership Secretary) This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a supportive, like-minded group of people, who are passionate about working with people who stammer and supporting speech and language therapists in increasing their knowledge and skills. Being part of the CEN committee allows you to learn, to network, and to prioritise some valuable CPD time. Committee membership is a 3 year role, which will add to your professional profile, CV, and CPD. There are 2 half-day online committee meetings per year and in addition each committee member is requested to submit an end of year report, summarising activity within their area. In recent years, the CEN has moved committee meetings and study days to an online platform, and we have developed a fantastic new website. These changes have resulted in a significant increase in our membership from across the UK and beyond. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the role of Communications Secretary, please contact Debra Craven, our current Communications Secretary on 07902281387, or by email at: debraacraven@hotmail.com If you would like to apply, please submit a brief statement to our Chair, Ali Berquez, via email at ali.berquez@nhs.net , providing some information about you, your current job role & interests, and let us know why you would like to take on this role. If there is more than one applicant for each post, the committee will be asked to cast a vote on the applications received. Please feel free to distribute this email around your local CENs, and colleagues. We are looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!