Bedford Aphasia Self Help
B-A-S-H
B-A-S-H was formed by the Speech & Language Therapy Department of Bedford Hospital with assistance from the national charity Speakability.
The aim of the group is to allow people with aphasia and their carers to come together as a means of encouraging sociability and friendship between people with similar problems. This helps to build the confidence of those who have aphasia and also helps to spread the experience of dealing with it so that others can benefit.
We elect a committee to run the group and we pay a subscription of £1 per month. Everything is very informal and all members join in and help with various tasks whenever needed.
A programme of activities is published and sent to each member by post and everyone is encouraged to suggest activities for future months.
There may be a talk of general interest by one of our members or an invited speaker, a demonstration of a skill or hobby or some simple games and competitions and time is always allocated for refreshments and general socialising.
There is also a raffle to help raise funds and the whole idea is to create an atmosphere where people can relax and have fun.
Summer outings are sometimes organised to local places of interest and we have pub lunches plus an annual Christmas lunch.
Currently we have 28 members.
For a flavour of our monthly activities, here is a recent programme of events:
Talk on "My life as a prison governor".
Invitation to join in a "Belly Dancing" evening.
Talk on the history of Bedford.
Talk about the battleship "HMS Nelson".
Demonstration on "The art of making greeting cards".
Christmas theme Bring & Buy sale.
Annual Christmas lunch at a local pub.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of each month between 2 - 4pm in St Andrew's Church Hall, St Edmond Road, Bedford, so if you want to get away from the telly and enjoy yourself you would be most welcome.
For further information, including the programme of future events, please contact:
by Dennis Lamb
Bedford