Members of the BSA Scotland Committee gather outside the Birnam Institute.

'Speaking from the heart' at the Birnam Open Day.

"Ordinary things like ordering a taxi, asking for a coffee or going to the local shop can be an ordeal for the person who stammers every day. I'd like people to consider, how would you feel going about your everyday tasks, thinking: 'God, am I going to get through this OK?'"

BSA Scotland has just held its second Open Day, this time at the Birnam Institute in Perthshire. This highly successful event was attended by approximately 50 participants who included people who stammer of all ages, parents, grandparents, partners, speech and language therapists and teachers. It brought together those already enthusiastic about BSA Scotland and a good number of new faces. All relished the opportunity to get together in beautiful surroundings to share ideas and learn from each other's experiences.

The day opened with an introduction by John Mann, BSA Scotland's new Convenor, followed by short speeches from John McAllion (former MP and MSP for Dundee East and BSA Patron) and Councillor Gordon Hunter (Convenor for Housing and Health at Perth and Kinross Council).

The programme, entitled 'Speaking from the Heart', was built around testimonies from people who stammer, describing different facets of their experience: education, career and being 'covert'. The morning session involved three presentations followed by a workshop that allowed all participants a chance to share their story.

David Lilburn described his experience of medical school and ultimate triumph on achieving excellent grades for his final oral exam and becoming a doctor.

John Mann, our new Convenor, spoke about working for a supportive employer and developing his career.

Claire Pirnie recounted poignant, funny tales about avoiding stammering while buying petrol (always choose aisle eight or eleven or go in the middle of the night!) and described her recent progress towards being more up front about stammering. She attended a European League of Stuttering Association's conference on 'Using the Media - empowering young people' this summer and has never looked back!

In the afternoon the range of workshops included: Avoidance Reduction Therapy, Speaking Circles, Art workshops, Alexander Technique and more. Parents of stammering children had an opportunity to speak to specialist speech and language therapists and other parents, as well as discussing the Lidcombe programme and the BSA's new CD Rom resource for schools, due to be launched in Scottish schools. We are now considering organising an Open Day specifically for children, young people and families as part of our programme for next year as we recognise that we were unable to sufficiently address this focus this time. Partners of people who stammer reported they benefitted from attending and we hope to hold a workshop specifically for partners at a future event.

The day ended with the first Annual Members' Gaitherin' at which Frank Geoghan-Quinn gave a round up of the past year before handing over to the new committee. One participant commented that his fears that the event (and the organisation) might be led by professionals were not justified, saying that indeed, it seemed that, in BSA Scotland, the members have taken over the asylum!

The learning and sharing carried on over the rest of the weekend for those who opted to stay for the informal social programme. In the local folk bar, BSA member John Boyd and his band demonstrated the curious phenomenon - that while someone may stammer when speaking they may sing like an angel! The weekend was rounded off with a five-mile walk-and-talk in surrounding woodlands, during which our sense of community was strengthened, the event was reviewed and plans for the future unfurled.

The event offered new Convenor, John Mann, and his Deputy, Sandra Stewart, their first public audience in their new roles.

The events sub-committee is currently planning next year's activities. Details will be posted as soon as possible.

BSA Scotland thanks Perth and Kinross Council and the Northwood Trust for the generous funding they contributed towards this event.