The NETA Aphasia Support Centre was launched in March 2006 under the banner of "Comm-Unity" , following a pilot period in late 2005, and is open to people with aphasia to access it.

• The NETA Aphasia Support Centre was set up to make wider use of the initiatives and methods that have been developed at the North East Aphasia Centre, located in Speech and Language Sciences at Newcastle University. The NETA Aphasia Support Centre enables people who have either attended the North East Aphasia Centre, or people who have not, to come together to further develop their skills or simply to socialise.
• Following extensive discussions with its members, the name "Comm-Unity" was initially adopted for the NETA Aphasia Support Centre.Some two years later, following requests from its clients, Comm-Unity was re-named the NETA Aphasia Support Centre.
• The NETA Aphasia Support Centre currently runs 1 day per week throughout the year, and provides group opportunities to develop communication skills (this can range from talking, sending e-mails and skyping !) and gain support in many ways. Courses have been extended to include writing , debate, art , photography and music on a by demand basis.
• Co-ordinated by its own dedicated, qualified Speech and Language Therapist Dr. Rose Hilton , and Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Kate Mason , the NETA Aphasia Support Centre encourages sharing of experiences, learning from each other and developing real life communication and other skills.
• NETA has provided the Aphasia Support Centre with a computer suite of three machines which is heavily used by people attending . Plans are in hand to promote additional interests.
• Some of the activities offered in the beginning included:
• A regular weekly communication group (2 hours duration) with regular attendees with aphasia.
• A Computer training course - organised and led by two centre attendees who have aphasia.
• A Photography skills course - run by a NETA trustee who has aphasia.
• Regular information ('drop in') days for new members/relatives/professionals.
• Regular 'Relative's group' - for support and discussion.
• Liaison with local Speech and Language Therapy services.
• The success of the NETA Aphasia support Centre has resulted in an expansion of activity groups as listed in the June 2008 Newsletter and timetable . 2011 sees the continuation of these activities .
• New in 2009 , arising from a grant from Newcastle University's Engagement initiative , NETA now operates the Afternoon Cafe' in a new room and on a fortnightly basis .
• As well as providing a service to people with aphasia, the Neta Aphasia Support Centre also allows training opportunities for students training to be speech and language therapists (SLTs).
• The Neta Aphasia Support Centre's approach is on a friendly and open basis and is for the benefit of people with Aphasia, their carers and /or their friends. So feel free to contact Rose Hilton, on 0191 222 8659 (or e-mail Rose on aphasia@ncl.ac.uk who can provide you with full information about Comm-Unity's activities.No referral necessary.

The NETA Aphasia Support Centre and its staff are funded by entirely by NETA.