Kate MacLean MSP, with BSA Scotland Convener John Mann.

The British Stammering Association Scotland's Voyage of Discovery Open Day took place in Dundee on Saturday 28th October 2006. This event was a first for BSA Scotland, as it was specifically designed for children and young people who stammer, family members and interested professionals.

Seventy-one people attended, including local MSP, Kate MacLean, who opened the event with a perceptive and highly supportive address. She stressed that stammering should not be a barrier to public office and urged participants to consider a future in politics. One of the highlights of the event, according to evaluations, was the opportunity to hear from three young adults who stammer who related their stories from schooldays to the present and demonstrated that stammering need not impede effective communication and success in adult life. These plenary presentations inspired children, young people parents and professionals alike.

The event was child focused with an emphasis on fun and mutual support. The Hallowe'en themed drama sessions, led by renowned TAG Theatre Company, were rated 'excellent' by all who attended. In an art workshop children created characters to represent their stammers and characters who could help them - much lively interaction on and off the page ensued! The teasing and bullying workshop was packed and ran over as the children were so interested in participating.

It was a delight to see children bonding during activities and chatting throughout the breaks. The prospect of a future BSA Scotland residential summer camp for stammering children in Scotland got a huge thumbs up from several of the boys who feel they have made firm friends and can't wait to meet up again. One boy commented, "It's great. You get to meet other children who speak like you and you know you are not the only one." Parents, who attended sessions on stammering, approaches to therapy, the CD Roms, transition to High School and a discussion group, stressed the value of speaking freely, networking and "finding out that stammering isn't a bar to success in life".

TAG Theatre Company has expressed enthusiasm for developing a joint project with BSA Scotland and, in the light of reactions to the drama workshops in Dundee, a meeting is planned to discuss next steps.

Jan Anderson
bsascotland@stammering.org