A year in the life of Doncaster Stammering Association self-help group

The following are extracts from The DSA Meeting Log 2009:

DSA Chair Bob Adams (left) with BSA Chief Executive Norbert outside 10 Downing St. See 'December' below.

January

First meeting of the year:
Discussed future plans over hot drinks in Café @ The Point.
Caught up on what each other had been doing over the previous weeks.

February

Welcomed new members.
Explored new exhibition in Gallery; took turns discussing the work (Inspirational, as it was the story of people who had had issues with alcohol & heroin, & how they had overcome them)

March

Played 'Secret Agenda' - talk about laugh!!!! Excellent game focussing on observation & communication.

April

Wonderful evening of percussion (djembes & full drum kit) & didgeridoo. Ended with member performing 'live' to Who backing track - Keith Moon lives on!

May

Started planning for town centre awareness raising event.
Warm enough to go outside into 'The Arts Park' for circus skills session.

June

Doncaster town centre awareness & fund raising event! First time for several members to be 'out' as people who stammer. Everyone buzzing at the end of a long, highly successful day. Members felt proud of wearing BSA t-shirts in public. Raised a few £s for BSA.

July

Nice & warm so Frisbee session in Arts Park. Used the projectiles (including the flying cow pat - bullshisbee!) as way to make eye contact & projecting our voices.
Bob ran workshop in N.Yorkshire over 3 days with a fantastic group of young people from various parts of Europe who had gathered for an ELSA event.

August

Conducted the 'body language experiment', exploring how changing our body language changes our moods.

September

BSA National Conference - some 'old hands' & some 'first timers' travelled down for a weekend of fun! Several workshops run by group member. Highlight of the weekend, when 1 of the members went on stage for the open mike - fantastic!

October

National art event 'The Big Draw' taking place at The Point. Members discussed the work & added to it.
Group reviewed 'Black Swan Green'.

November

2 members travelled to Leeds Metropolitan University to address 40 Speech & Language Therapy students. Great response. NB This was the first time 1 of the members had spoken to a group larger than 8!
Theatre trip to The Circus of Horrors. Front row seats ensured the experience was intense - particularly when Bob was pulled up on stage to address the whole theatre!
Travelled to Hull to pay respects to the late Peter Kissagizlis.

December

Bob travelled to the BSA Reception held at 10 Downing Street (pic at top of page).
Members created 'The Block' (pics below) as part of an exhibition inspired by Rachel Whiteread's installation in Turbine Hall, Tate Modern.
End of year bash - eats, drinks, plenty of chat & the film Riding Giants (the history of big wave surfing). Excellent end to the year.