Update: as at late June 2011, the self-management project is coming to an end. A new 'stammering toolkit' website will be available soon. The article below is from Autumn 2010.

I can happily report that BSA Scotland has emerged from its extended hibernation and is now ready to deliver its new self management project. Funding has come from the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland and a project team is now in place. Between now and the end of March next year my colleagues, Frances Knapp, Vikki Taylor, Martin Brough and I will be concentrating on three main areas:

Facebook Link here to BSA Scotland on Facebook. Or search on Facebook for British Stammering Association Scotland. Feel free to use it and keep looking for news and events. Twitter Follow BSA Scotland on Twitter @bsa_scotland and use the hashtag #scotstam

Open Days

There will be 3 Open Days across Scotland -
Highlands and Islands Open Day in Inverness on 23 October 2010
Strathclyde Open Day in Glasgow on Saturday 12th February 2011.
Edinburgh and the Lothians Open Day in Edinburgh - 19th March 2011 (postponed from December 2010)

If you would be interested in leading a workshop at any of these events, please contact me at the BSA Scotland office. Vikki, who has previously been a volunteer on the hugely successful and well received BSA Scotland Summer 'scools, will be assisting at the Open Days.

Advice and support for self help groups

The second area is providing advice and support to new and existing self help groups. Scotland currently has only two functioning self help groups, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We know that groups used to meet in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Forth Valley but proved difficult to sustain. We need to find out why and put in place a system which allows groups to be both viable and durable. If you are currently involved, or have previously been involved, with a self help group I would be delighted to hear your experiences - good, bad or indifferent. If you would like to set up a self help group in a place where one hasn't existed before - Ayr, Perth,Dumfries, Melrose, Lerwick (the possibilities are endless) - please get in touch and I will try to help in any way I can.

Self-management and new technology

The third area is developing a self management strategy for people who stammer and making the best use of new technology to access sources of support and advice.

Frances, who has an extensive background in social research, will be working on the strategy and will be looking for input from people all across the UK with direct experience of stammering. Further details will follow soon and Frances will also be attending the Open Days to launch and promote the strategy.

Martin is hard at work assessing the feasibility of using Skype and video conferencing as a means of accessing self help groups for those who, because of geographical dispersal or other commitments, are unable to attend meetings. He is also establishing a Facebook presence for BSA Scotland and resurrecting the Scottish telephone support group.

As you can see BSA Scotland has hit the ground running on its re-emergence and we are all anxious that we make the very best use of the time and resources available. Although the project is only funded until next March, we are sure that we can make a profound impact on the stammering communities. If you'd like to be part of it, we'd love to hear from you.

Frank Geoghegan-Quinn

September 2010