Speech and language therapists, service users and politicians from across Wales are joining forces to create a 25 metre banner to champion the wide-reaching economic and social benefits of speech and language therapy services.
Part of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ (RCSLT) ongoing Giving Voice campaign, the Banerwr Project – the Welsh word for ‘standard bearer’ – sees a banner touring the seven health board areas of Wales. Therapists and services users at each stage are decorating a new panel with stories and messages about how speech and language therapy has changed their lives. The growing banner will then be passed on to the next area as part of the “Bayeux Tapestry meets Olympic torch relay” project. When it reaches its full 25 metre length it will be taken to Senedd for a special event on 18 October.
RCSLT country policy officer, Dr Alison Stroud, said: “Banerwr is about getting therapists and services users across Wales to add their voice to the Giving Voice campaign ahead of a national event at Parliament. Wales can demonstrate a lot of good practice and we are keen to add our weight to the Westminster event in October, when the work of speech and language therapists from across the UK will be celebrated.”
The RCSLT Giving Voice campaign aims to increase understanding of the role of speech and language therapy and to demonstrate how tackling communication and swallowing problems reduces avoidable costs and waste in the NHS, local authorities, the criminal justice system and the wider economy.
Assembly Members from across Wales are being invited to help decorate the banner when it is in their area, giving them an opportunity to meet people with communications impairments and to gain a better understanding of the importance and positive impact of speech and communications on everyday life.
The banner left Bridgend earlier this month (5 September) by helicopter, thanks to the support of private pilot Clive Harris. It was waved off from the police helicopter pad at Waterton Park, Bridgend by some 45 service users of all ages and therapists who created their section of the banner along the theme ‘Communication Throughout Life’. The banner was met at Pembrey airfield by service users who have used speech and language therapy to cope with their learning disabilities.
The transfer from west Wales to Powys took place by motorcycle side car and the newly extended banner was then abseiled down the Elen Valley Dam by therapists for mid Wales. The next hand over is due to take place between Powys and North East Wales at the forthcoming Communications Counts event at Owain Glyndwr University on 22 September.
The banner then makes a trip up Snowdon (24 September) before heading south in preparation for the its final stages in Gwent and Cardiff, and hand over at the Senedd on 18 October.
Alison Stroud explains: “The banner is being taken around Wales and some inventive and fun events have been planned for the handovers. The serious message comes when you look at the stories behind the themes on each segment of the banner. Speech, language and communications problems can be disabling and cause enormous social, mental and economic hardship for sufferers and their families. Early intervention by speech and language therapists has been shown to unlock the potential of these people and save money for already stretched NHS services.”
The RCSLT’s campaign highlights that in Wales speech, language and communication disability are widespread, and that support must be readily accessible.
Dr Stroud concluded by saying: “This project demonstrates that communication is not always spoken. We are helping people tell their story and then pass on that message.”
The Banerwr Project will travel throughout Wales during September and October, adding to the banner in Powys, Wrexham, Snowdonia, Caerphilly, Gwent and Cardiff, culminating in an event at the Senedd, before travelling to Westminster on 18 October.
