Free training sessions are being delivered across West Yorkshire to help staff and volunteers better understand aphasia and support people who live with it.
Around 85% of people in the UK don’t know what aphasia is. Yet thousands of people across West Yorkshire experience communication challenges linked to the condition every day.
These sessions are designed to close that gap in understanding and build confidence in how people respond in practice.
You can read more about the programme and book a place here.
What the Training Offers
The sessions are led by a speech and language therapist and supported by someone with lived experience of aphasia. That combination is important. It brings together clinical knowledge with real-world insight into what communication barriers actually feel like.
The focus is practical. This is not about specialist clinical training. It is about helping people feel more confident in everyday interactions.
Topics include:
- What aphasia is and how it affects communication
- The real-life impact on individuals and families
- Practical ways to adapt how you communicate
- Using a ‘total communication’ approach
- Creating more inclusive conversations
- Understanding the wider support available in West Yorkshire
Why This Matters in Leeds
Across Leeds, many organisations are already working with people who may be affected by aphasia, often without realising it.
For VCSE organisations, NHS services, council teams, and care providers, communication is at the centre of everything. When communication breaks down, access to support, confidence, and outcomes are all affected.
This training is a simple, practical way to strengthen that.
It aligns closely with the wider focus on accessibility, inclusion, and person-centred support across the city.
Aphasia does not change who someone is, but it can change how they are able to communicate. Small adjustments in how we listen, respond, and support can make a significant difference. This training is a straightforward way to build that awareness and apply it in practice.
Who Should Attend
These sessions are aimed at:
- Staff and volunteers in charities and community organisations
- NHS and council staff
- Care home and support workers
- Anyone supporting people in Leeds, Wakefield, or across West Yorkshire
If your role involves speaking with people, supporting them, or helping them access services, this training is relevant.
Dates and Locations
Leeds
20 May 2026
Voluntary Action Leeds, Stringer House, Hunslet
Wakefield
10 June 2026
Balne Lane Community Centre
Huddersfield
24 June 2026
Huddersfield Mission
All sessions run from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
Places are free, but booking is required:
https://www.aphasiasupport.org/blogs/news-events/aphasia-uncovered
