Teens Challenge course benefits from mentor scheme

by Claire McNeil, speech and language therapist

Fluency Trust courses combine speech therapy with outdoor activities.

The Fluency Trust residential courses have been running now for 15 years. The Teens Challenge course run at Skern Lodge Activity centre has been specifically designed for young people, and outcomes have shown positive results for the students who attend. Previous students of the course made the SPEAK DVD in 2008 and this has helped in supporting many young people who stammer.

Over the past 2 years we have started a mentor scheme where a student from the previous year returns to support the new group. This has proved to be really helpful. We have had many positive comments from both the students in the Teens Challenge course and the younger children in the Blockbuster course. It has been extremely beneficial for students to see what progress can be made a year on from attending the course. Having a peer demonstrate strategies and talk about the highs and lows of learning to manage stammering can truly inspire new course students.

In 2010 we had Jack return as a mentor. He was a star and provided tremendous support and inspiration to all who attended both the Teens Challenge course and those who were taking part in the Blockbuster course. He kindly shared his thoughts with us after the course.

Jack's View

The first year I felt anxious about going on the course as there were regular therapy sessions three times a day, every day, which was very different from the group therapy sessions I'd occasionally had during the school holidays. By the end of the first day I was surprised by how tired I was and strangely looking forward to the sessions rather than the activities although the activities were extremely fun. Throughout the week I found that I was using what I had learnt in the sessions in both the activities and our down-time. The activities took my mind off my stammer and I found that I could speak more fluently when I was not thinking about it. When in Exmoor after the course I was able to order my own food as well as other things using what I had learnt. My initial expectations of the course were minimal compared to the awesome things I got out of it. I instantly benefited from what I'd learnt which made me want to return as a mentor.

Coming back as a mentor allowed me to see how much I had actually grown in confidence as well as a person since the previous year. Coming back a second time was strange as by mid-week I was talking to the younger Blockbuster group about easy stammering, giving examples and explaining the difference between an easy stammer and a hard one. I didn't care whether I stammered; I even hoped I genuinely did for authenticity. I feel like I have come away from the course a second time still having improved on my techniques and my attitude towards my stammer.

Even though, through the past year, I have had my ups and downs with my stammer I have been able to revisit what I have learnt from the course to help me get back on track. I would recommend the course to anybody.

More information on courses, including dates: www.thefluencytrust.org.uk

From the Spring 2011 edition of Speaking Out, page 12