dyscover – rediscovering communication

Posted 15th November 2019

What an honour it was on Tuesday to have HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO and the Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Richard Whittington visit us and officially present our Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service!

After meeting with the charities leaders and admiring the work our gardening volunteers have created in the courtyard, HRH met and sat in with Suzanne and a supported Conversation Group before meeting with a variety of Volunteers, interested to hear about their different roles and what they enjoy about Dyscover. The award was officially presented to Sue Toothill (our 2nd longest serving volunteer) who did us the proud honour in receiving the (rather heavy) 3D engraved Crystal award.

Posted 7th November 2019

Our wonderful board of Trustees. They met this week for their quarterly trustees meeting, where we were sorry to say goodbye to Lorraine who has given such a lot to Dyscover over the past 3 years.

Posted 1st October 2019

We have teamed up with Paul Graham OT and Amanda Beck project manager from QEF’s mobility service to explore the impact of aphasia on driving. Last week members completed a questionnaire and today we asked their opinion on 1) the assessment process, 2)communicating with the DVLA and other agencies and 3) how easy they and their families have found the return to driving.

10 members have successfully regained their licences after stroke and agree on the huge difference it has made to their independence and confidence.

Paul and Amanda were delighted with how the session went and will be taking the findings back to their colleagues. Several members are keen to take up Paul’s invitation to help with the regular training sessions they hold for their driving instructors.

Posted 1st October 2019

Posted 1st October 2019

Dyscover’s aphasia ambassadors had an informal training session on manning information stands in their Ambassador Group Meeting. Barry McIllroy shared tips and advice with the other ambassadors from his experience of talking to the public on a Dyscover information stand, with tips on how to initiate conversations (greet people with a smile and ask about their day!), and how to talk to the public (be natural, be yourself!). Caroline and Barry talked through the different questions ambassadors might be asked and how to use Dyscover’s leaflets to signpost people to the relevant information.