Book Club for adults with Aphasia
Book Club – group for people with aphasia
What is the Book Club?
The Book Club is an in-person group for adults who have aphasia (language difficulties) after a stroke.
The aim is to support people who enjoy reading. It gives you the chance to talk about what you have read in a supported and friendly environment. The group is supported by Speech and Language Therapy students.
Who can join?
- Adults who have aphasia (language difficulties) after a stroke.
- You need to able to attend in-person sessions at the University of Reading and be able to arrange your own transport.
- We accept referrals from local voluntary groups and local Speech and Language Therapists.
- You can attend on your own. Spouses or partners are welcome to attend the first few sessions.
What happens in the group?
- The group runs once a year for up to 10 weeks from October to December.
- Sessions are weekly.
- A qualified Speech and Language Therapist runs the group with first year Speech and Language Therapy students.
- A book is chosen before the group starts. We always choose a book that is easily available on Kindle/e-reader, audio book and from local libraries. We also provide:
- Chapter summaries
- Character lists – to help keep track of characters in the book
- Questions about the reading – to support you in understanding the text and support you in talking about the book
- Each week we meet to talk about the book and the chapters you have read.
- Everyone is supported to take turns and communicate with each other in a way they are comfortable with. Some people use their iPads, some use pen and paper. All communication is accepted.
How to join or refer someone
You can:
- Join the group yourself (self referral)
- Ask a family member or friend to contact us
- Be referred by a Speech and Language Therapist or another healthcare professional