International Stammering Awareness Day 2002
22nd October

UK Public is showing a greater interest in stammering

Millions of people throughout the United Kingdom now have a greater understanding and empathy with stammerers thanks to Pop Idol sensation Mr. Gareth Gates. The aim of this year's International Stammering Awareness Day on October 22nd is to cultivate an understanding of stammering. This is the fifth year the world has united to tell others about the complex issues of stammering. However this is the first year that the British Stammering Association has embarked upon a day of campaigning. Our campaign centres on informing work colleagues and schools a little more about the problems facing adults and children who stammer. We are trying to raise awareness and much needed funds at the same time. Steve Burnett (Marketing and Development Manager) states:

"Because of the vast amount of media attention stammering has had in the past few months we have seen a marked increase in the people calling our helpline and support service. We have been able to help young children by assisting with therapy choices as well as providing information, reassurance and a listening ear to parents of stammering children. Our service is open to all ages. We aim to assist all who stammer from young children to older adults."

This marked increase in usage of our service has prompted us to introduce the Bring a Pound to Work and School campaign on International Stammering Awareness Day 2002. Work places and schools throughout the UK will be collecting pounds for the BSA and through this a greater awareness of issues relating to stammering will be brought to the public's attention as well as raising much needed funds for our work.

Norbert Lieckfeldt, Chief Executive of the British Stammering Association, who himself stammers says "The British Stammering Association is the only national charity helping the 800,000 adults and children in the UK who stammer. Stammering can severely affect the social, educational and professional development and our helpline and campaigns are geared towards giving out accurate and unbiased information on how to access help."

The Stammering Awareness Day began in the USA. Over the last four years it has grown into a truly international day. There will be an international online conference, and events range from picnics in San Francisco, meals in Bombay to education campaigns in Cameroon as well as our own £ to Work and School campaign.

The BSA is actively working in all parts of the UK. Listed below are some details of our work here in the UK

ENDS

Notes to Editor

For further information, see BSA media contacts.

The British Stammering Association was established in 1978 to help the 800,000 stammerers in Britain, almost half of them children, and their families. Today it is still the only organisation in Britain registered as helping all stammerers from onset in childhood to adulthood. It does this by researching various projects and lobbying parliament to implement recommendations or by setting up helplines, self help groups, counseling services, training programmes and information services.

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