Ani Pesola has been volunteering for Speak With IT since February 2020, just before the start of the Covid pandemic. She has supported 3 people during her volunteering with the charity, mainly over zoom due to restrictions. Enid Scholey from Sheffield was the first person with aphasia Ani met in person.
Enid suffered a stroke in 2018 which left her with the language disorder Aphasia. Enid has expressive aphasia and verbal apraxia. This means that her speech can be slow and effortful at times and marked by word finding difficulties.
Ani and Enid have been working together since December 2021 and have weekly appointments at Enid’s home in Sheffield.
Explaining her reasons for volunteering with the charity, Ani said: ‘Originally I wanted to gain experience working with adults with speech, language and communication needs as I was planning to pursue a degree in speech and language therapy.’
‘Over my time volunteering, the experience has included the amazing interactions you get to have with people, the knowledge you get to share with other volunteers and the problem solving you have to do – it is a constant learning process.’
Returning to face-to-face meetings has been great for all concerned. Zoom was accessible because the charity loaned an iPad to Enid which had zoom and a number of therapy apps pre installed but there is nothing like face to face interaction. Enid, who trained as a nurse and worked as a health visitor for many years, particularly enjoys the dedicated time she spends every week with Ani where she can practice talking in sentences.
‘She’s helped me saying phrases.’ Enid says when asked what the best thing about meeting with Ani is.
Enid’s husband John is equally happy with the support provided by Ani and the charity. He has recently signed up to join the charity’s new online carer support project.
‘It’s good that there is another person supporting me as well. Speak With IT has done a great job. The volunteers give people time to speak and having a dedicated hour on a one to one basis is great.’
When asked what advice she would offer to new volunteers, Ani says:
‘Often, we are working with older people who have a lot of life experience and wonderful stories to tell, and we are in a privileged position to share those experiences with each other. Speak With IT offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to have real conversations over generational, cultural and political borders. Learning to really listen to what another person has to say has to be one of the most important lessons working with someone with aphasia can teach you.’