• More summer photos from Chris Cross and Bob Speight .(See Photography and Software Group below) .
• Welcome to NETA 's revised web site. It now includes our new banner and logo which matches our greener stationary . In addition the new layout makes it easier follow without excessive scrolling and allows better siting of photos . We are currently de-bugging our editing software and you may spot a few anomalies in the text.
• The Art and Aphasia exhibition was held at the Newcastle University Ex Libris Gallery 12th july through to 16th July and will now move to its second venue. See article and hyper link below.
• A new leaflet "NETA -Supporting Aphasia" is now available and is being put into circulation . The leaflet has been produced with the aid of a grant by The Co-operative Membership.
• NETA issued its first new style News Letter,complete with new NETA header and new Logo . Unfortunately the gremlins got at the section about the 2010 Walk2Talk , which will be held on Sunday the 25th April 2010 and NOT the 26th April.
• Stroke News: An anouncement by the media news networks on 27th Jan 2010 of a reccomendation by National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE)-see below.

The art and aphasia project is a joint project with the North Tyneside aphasia support service known as CHANT (Communication Hub for Aphasia in North Tyneside) and the Fine Art department of Newcastle University. CHANT is a 2 year project headed by a speech and language therapist Dr. Kath Mumby.

http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse-display.shtml?p_ID=512646&p_subjectCategory=383

Dr. Kath Mumby and Dr. Rose Hilton have worked closely in developing the art and aphasia project as a joint venture with a view to developing skills and confidence both for people with aphasia and for the undergraduates and local authority staff working with them.

The exhibition of the artworks produced, accompanied by quotes from participants about aphasia and about the art and aphasia project opened at the Ex Libris gallery at Newcastle university ,opening on the 12th July it ran for four days. Showing a wide range of skills ,the exhibition is a record of the artists experiences and their efforts to overcome their difficulties together with the sense of community developement. The exhibition was well attended and very well presented . The exhibition is the culmination of the project and also an opportunity to publicise the work of NETA, the CHANT project and to inform a wider audience about aphasia.

The Exhibition will move on to the next venue at Segedunum at Buddle Street ,Wallsend , NE28 6HR for six weeks from 27th September to 5th November. The third venue will be North Tyneside Council Headquarters at Quadrant West, Cobalt Business Park , NE27 0QJ, where it will run from 15th November to the 10th December2010..

The CHANT programme is a three way partnership between the local authority, NHS and The Stroke Association commissioned by the local authority to promote participation and return to meaningful activity for people with aphasia and their families. In many ways, the CHANT project is based on our experience and programme development within NETA. The credit for the success of the art group in NETA which has been running for 2 years in 6 week courses is due to Sue Ruddy our voluntary art group leader.

Trustee Eileen , with her partner Pete Dodds saw the launch of their gig on in support of NETA at the Cluny2 on Sunday,15th November. The "Music for NETA, The Cluny 2 " charity event was hosted in the Cluny2 at Lime Street , Newcastle upon Tyne , and kicked off at 1.00 pm . Parking facilities were good and the Cluny2 was fully accessible.Several of the trust members attended together with a considerable audience. With a nine and half hour long programme ,refreshments were going to be needed. Good beers , tea and coffee were available at the Cluny2 and Cluny bars and tasty food available at the Cluny , so we settled for a long and enjoyable programme.

A galaxy of artists appeared to make a really enjoyable gig for everyone including the kids.The stars appearing were: Ashlea Pearson, Bam & Anna, Bill Stewart, Blue Grass Plus, Clear Blue Skies, Fiddles & Frets, Gordon ,Jim Jon, Mooni, Nell Dorney , Paul Jackson , Paul Liddell , Pete Dodds, Pipe Dream, Red Box, Steve Daggett, Terry Gorman, Tom Fielding.

A wide range of music which was appreciated by all age groups .All in all the evening proved to be most enjoyable.All proceeds went to NETA's fund.

Neta wish to thank all the artists , many of whom managed to slot the gig in with their other apearances and the volunteers who put the effort in to make this a successful and memorable event.

• Holly Durham , a Speech and Language Therapist , who took part in the 2009 Great North Run in support of NETA , unexpectedly won The Journal /Ricola prize. The Journal ,in conjunction with the Swiss confectioner Ricola , set up a prize draw for participants in the GNR , which enabled the winner of the draw to top up the money which they earned for their charity . To Holly's great surprise , she won it. On Monday 2nd November , Holly , Dr. Rose Hilton (Co-ordinator of the NETA Aphasia Support Centre ) and Janet Speight ( Trustee & Chair for NETA) were presented with a cheque for £1,000 by Ruth Douglass of Ricola at Newcastle General Hospital. See full report and photo by The Journal on line at : www.journallive.co.uk
• In addition to the prize ,Holly won a years supply of Ricola sweets.
• The North East Trust for Aphasia wish to thank Holly , The Journal and Ricola for the donation, which will be of great assistance to the NETA Aphasia Support Centre .

• Announced by the media news networks on 27th Jan 2010 . A recommendation by the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence that doctors and nurses should check all patients for the risk of blood clots looks as though it wil be taken up by the NHS.This is aimed at reducing the 25,000 deaths per caused by blood clots.
• January 20th 2010 saw the launch of a local initiative -Communication Hub Aphasia North Tyneside or C.H.A.N.T.It is a service which offers support and training opportunities to people who have had a stroke . In particular it caters for those of us who have long term aphasia , their partners or carers , with the aim of "getting their lives back".This new support service was attended to the point of "a full house". C.H.A.N.T. also runs courses for people who may wish to become a volunteer to support people with aphasia or learn more about aphasia , how to engage and communicate effectively with people who experience it. C.H.A.N.T. also is working with partners in North Tyneside Adult Learning Alliance to offer tailor made courses for people with aphasia (such as IT basics) . In conjunction with support from students in Fine Art at Newcastle University , a course is being planned called Aphasia and Art .NETA and its Trustees wish every success to C.H.A.N.T. For more information please contact : Dr. Katharyn Mumby(SLT, Project Lead), Mobile Number : 07554 334 981,or E-mail: Katharyn.Mumby@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk .Or Sarah Taylor(The Stroke Association , Communication Support Coordinator) , Mobile No.: 07534 915 763 , or E-mail : sarah.taylor@stroke.org.uk

• On 25 Nov 2009 , The Newcastle Evening Chronicle ran a half page spread by Zoe Burn about spotting the symptons of a stroke. The article highlighted the new online test launched by the NHS to help people to recognise the signs of a stroke . The site can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/actfast/stroke.aspx . The article included an interview with Dr. Mike Guy, Medical Director for NHS North of Tyne , working on behalf of Northumberland Care Trust,North Tyneside Care Trust(PCT) and Newcastle PCT.
• On 6th October 2009 ,our regional newspaper , The Journal ran an article about an Alnwick man Gordon Freeman . The article by Sara Nichol tells about 59 year old Gordon's determination to get back fitness gym and regain his speech . Try to put our hands on a copy of The Journal and read about Gordon.

Jane Thomson & Jill Williamson on behalf of Hexham Lions presenting the donations to Georgie Cruddas of SixtyEightyThirty and Janet Speight of NETA. The presentation featured recently in the Hexham "Courant"

NETA thank Hexham Lions for a magnificent effort of fund raising .

Janet & Bob Speight took up the offer of an invite to visit the new city library in June which had just opened . For those of who liked or disliked the previous building , few could be unimpressed with the new one . On the day of our visit , the promotional actors were touring the various floors and managed a wave to your intrepid photographer.

The first thing that hits you is just how bright, light and spacious the new building is .Much of the walling is in glass , which is decorated with a pleasing butterfly artwork . Views across the city are good at the higher levels and excellent from the viewpoint on the fifth floor.

Access is excellent , with two main entrances , one in the Square (where the original entrance was ) and another at street level .All floors are wheelchair accessible . All floors are accessed by a staircase at the east side of the building. Alternatively , two lifts service all floors . First time users may be a little confused with the lifts , which can be accessed from both sides at the ground and fifth floors , but only on one side at the 2nd ,3rd, and Fourth floors . Some of NETA’s customers have had one or two problems in this area which we will be taking up with the Council & Library staff.

For the historians and family history buffs among us , the new library offers greater freedom to access the Newcastle Collection of old historic books . The Local History Unit on the fifth floor is a great advance over the previous facility, with an abundance of computer terminals and film readers.

The new Cafe area ,sited on the second floor , also has (weather permitting) outdoor seating . An excellent range foodstuffs is available . One of our members with reading difficulty had problems, which again NETA will be discussing with the Library staff at a future meeting .  

The keen eyed among may notice that we have not mentioned the books , so here goes . Much of the library stock is new , extensive and comprehensive . Again , the shelf layout is excellent and subject matter easily found. Help points are numerous on all floors.

We are sure that we have not mentioned all that there is to see and use. So make a note in you diary to visit the new building.   

NETA representatives will be meeting with City Council and Library members and other disabled group representatives next month (October) to discuss improvements.

View from the entrance.

• Members of the Newcastle University Speech & Language students known as the Speech Society kept quiet about a new initiative in support of NETA held on Tuesday 28th April
• Equipped with tee shirts of their own design , collecting buckets and a JustGiving address , The group set out to raise money for NETA . However they found out this wasn't an easy task . Student Ros McVey takes up the reins and writes:
• "On Tuesday 28th April 2009 around 50 Speech and Language Therapy Students held a 12 hour (7am to 7pm) sponsored silence organised by the new Speech Society. We were not only hoping to raise money but also raise awareness about NETA and aphasia. Our experience gave us a feel for what it might be like to have communication difficulties and have to use non preffered means of communicating such as writing and gesture. It was an interesting and succesful experience . At times it was frustrating , particularly when given potato wedges instead of a cup of tea in the cafe' and when people who spoke to us as if we were deaf ! It was necessary to be face to face with whom you were communicating and took so much energy that we often avoided saying more than necessary. At times we felt stupid and by the end of the day we felt thoroughly exhausted. But it was all worth it as we counted donations from around the University and from kind friends and family which totalled just over £2,300 !"
• This was a really magnificent effort by the Speech Society which begins to bring home the difficulties that people with aphasia face . The donation is much appreciated by the the NETA trustees .

• Have you any old mobile phones or spent printer ink cartridges ?
• According to the media there are at least a million old and disused mobiles phones in Britain. By re-cycling them you can help save the planet and indirectly make a contribution to NETA's funds.
• Ink cartridges for your printers need oil in their manufacture. every spent cartridge consigned to a landfill site directly and indirectly costs money. It makes much more sense to re-cycle them.
• Contact Bob Speight by phone on 0191 2678906 or by E-mail to : robert.speight@talktalk.net with your name address and post code ,and we will send a pre paid addressed envelope in which you can send your old mobile phones and ink cartridges to the re-cycling company
• For each phone or cartridge , NETA will receive a donation from the re-cycling company . Every little helps.
• For more information click on www.neta.org.uk/services .

As the result of a grant which was kindly made by The Tavistock Trust , NETA's Aphasia Support Centre were able to purchase a large format printer for the Photo Software Group . This widens the scope and quality of edited photo prints made by group members and adds further interest to the course.

NETA's Aphasia Support Centre and its members wish to thank The Tavistock Trust for making this purchase possible .

Click here www.neta.org.uk/NETA Aphasia Support Centre for the latest information about the range of activities available .

Passionate about aphasia?

Interested in supporting people with aphasia in the North East ? ....then read on

NETA(the North East Trust for Aphasia is a small local charity which aims to support people with aphasia in the North East. The trustees are mostly people with aphasia or their relatives.

We are keen to recruit some new trustees . Ideally these will be people with aphasia or their friends and famillies, but we will consider other interested people .

This would involve

• Attending meetings(approximately every 1-2 months).
• Working with other trustees to develop our fundraising events.
• Raising the profile of aphasia .
• We need people who are able to give some time and/or expertise.There is no payment involved.

To discuss or to apply call Julie Morris on 0191 284 1714 or e-mail : julie.morris@ncl.ac.uk

We will ask you some simple questions or to fill in some details and will consider your application with others we receive.

• Taking up the reins from Helen Nazlie , the NETA Aphasia Support Centre's new Co-ordinator is Dr. Rose Hilton , who took up her appointment on 3rd January 2008 . Rose moved to the north east in 1980 , having worked as a speech and language therapist for several years. Rose obtained her doctorate from Newcastle University at the University's Speech Dept.. Rose has specialised in neurological disorders such as stroke and head injuries and now runs the Speech and Language Therapy Service for Adults in North Tyneside as well as her clinical work.In 1996 , Rose started up the first Aphasia Clinic in Newcastle , jointly with the University and which led to the current Aphasia Clinic and eventually , to the North East Trust for Aphasia. In May 2008 , Rose presented her first report to NETA Trustees and outlined the proposals listed in her first Newsletter and the activities tabled on the NETA Support Centre page .The Trustees of NETA and the Punters give a warm welcome to Rose and look forward to working with her in the NETA Aphasia Support Centre.

• Aimed at people with aphasia and their carers , the NETA Aphasia Support Centre Computer Group is into its fourth year of operation .
• The Group aim is to help develope computer skills for communication through the use of E-mails and the Internet.
• The Group is informal and friendly. If you have not used a computer ,do not worry , basic tuition is given under the guidance of Reg Hunter.
• Why E-mails and the Internet ?
• E-mails can give instant correspondence between those who have E-mail facilities. This has obvious benefits for those with speech problems.
• The Internet can offer a wide range of benefits to those who can access it . Do you have a hobby? - try the internet and find more information and contacts. Interested in genealogy or family history?- try the Internet and find out how much easier it is to access records and make new contacts with family and friends. Shopping ?-find the cheapest buy.Get up to date news -faster than you can get it on the telly. The information on the Internet is almost limitless-you may even find your name is already in there!
• The Computer Group is headed up by Reg Hunter . Reg has aphasia and describes himself as a friendly and sociable computer "nerd" . Reg's background is in Information Technology and he has been with the NETA Aphasia Support Centre for some two years.Reg is also a member of the original NETA web site team which designed this web site.
• If you would like to try the internet out or learn how to send E-mails , then give Rose Hilton a call on 0191 2228550
• The NETA Aphasia Support Centre Computer Group has three computers which were provided and funded by NETA.

• A project started by Janet Speight and funded with the aid of a grant from the Tavistock Trust. Some time after her stroke ,Janet was persuaded to take a Higher National Certificate in Photography at Newcastle College which lasted two years. Janet completed the course ,choosing as her final project "The Ouseburn from Start to Finish". Janet takes it from here:-
• "In June 2006 I finished a HNC course in Photography and so I decided to run a photography course together with Comm-Unity.I have aphasia myself and I understand the problems which people have .
• The course members learn about "how the camera works" and lots of tips to take pictures. Half of the sessions are involved in practicing the lessons and visiting exhibitions of photography at galleries. After the course finishes , we meet to visit places such as the Quayside or Saltwell Park, with our cameras".
• The course is restarting in September ,2009 . If you want to join a friendly camera club - you will be welcome whether you are a beginner , or an old hand with a traditional camera or digital camera interest. Contact Janet on 0191 2678906 or e-mail Janet on : robert.speight@talktalk.net or call Rose on 0191 2228550 or e-mail Rose on : rose.hilton@ncl.ac.uk
• In addition there is a suite of three computers (provided by NETA) to help make your photographs look even better.

• The collage of photographs made up of photographs by the first Photography Group has been prepared and is now hanging in the Speech and Language Therapy Building .
• 

Some of the members of the first photo group- Rodney,Alan, David,John & Reg , with the collage.

• Janet finalised plans for a new Photography Software Course , which began operations in September of 2008 . The Software Course received a grant from The Tavistock Trust which enabled the group to purchase a large format printer which allows members to print their edited photos up to A3 size and on a variety of textured surfaces .
• Another Photography Course begins later this year (2009). The Photography Software Course has now been finalised will be listed in the NETA Aphasia Support Centre June 2009 time table . Click on www.neta.org.uk/NETA Aphasia Support Centre for more information and timetable.

Stack of lenticular clouds over Northumberland.

(1) Evening sky, Wesgate ,Weardale , July

• You, as an individual might like to get involved with NETA as a volunteer or as we say, a "Friend".
• You may be someone who has Aphasia, or that you know of someone who has Aphasia and that you would like to help in some way.
• It could be just making the tea or passing the biscuits at the Aphasia Centre or the Support Centre, or helping to organise any of the NETA events. You might even like to organise a fund raising event yourself !!
• If you could give a couple of hours a week to support NETA, the Aphasia Centre or the Support Centre, your help will be welcome. So give us a call soon.
• Call Bob Speight , Trustee on 0191 2678906.

• Never bought anything on-line ? Now is the time to try it.www.buy.at/NETA is a secure site and makes it easy for a first time on -line buyer to try their hand.The range of goods and services available is quite surprising. You pay no more than you would at the shop plus you have the opportunity to see what bargains are on offer.
• Each purchase makes a contribution to funds that help support NETA's aim to provide more care and well being for people with Aphasia in the North East Community. So tell your friends, families and work colleagues to use www.buy.at/NETA every time that you buy on the Web.
• Latest addition to the buy.at/NETA site is IKEA. So tap in the site address and see what is on offer from this ever popular company.
• It is worth tapping into www.buy.at/NETA to see what offers are currently available .
• If you want to find out more about buy.at/NETA, have a look at the Services page, or contact Bob Speight at 0191 2678906 or e-mail robert.speight @talktalk.net
• Holidays-thinking of having a short winter break or a longer period away? Making travel arrangements ? Browse from the comfort of your own home and have a look at what is available through buy.at/NETA.Book through the travel firms via buy.at/NETA and you will be supporting NETA.Have a look and see what is on offer!
• If you have difficulty in getting through to the Site , alternatively log onto : http://buy.at . When the www.buy.at Home page appears ,type in : NETA in the search box at the top right corner and press "Enter" which should bring you to the buy.at/NETA page. A very wide range of quality goods and services are available through the www.buy.at/NETA facility.

• News Items for this page. Do you have some news you would like to put in this page? Give Bob Speight a call on 0191 2678906 , or e-mail your news to him on : robert.speight@talktalk.net

• The new logo is now incorporated in our new web ste header . Associated with the new banner/logo are other updates to the web site which we have been looking at .
• With an expanded team including Reg Hunter, Sue Ruddy and Jill Williamson , we are continuing to re think the web site with Heather Curry .
• The original NETA Web Site (including the original Logo) was designed (using existing skills) by members of the Web Site Team, comprising Eileen Charnley, Gordon Doney, Reg Hunter and Steven Hogg, all of whom have aphasia. The original team are shown on the right in action at the computer suite at the Support Centre.
• The first NETA Web site logo was based on an original painting (which can be seen at the Support Centre together with other of the group artworks) by Linsey Hepple and modified by Eileen Charnley to blend in with the NETA letterhead. After three years we have just re vamped the header and logo to a simpler and greener format which corresponds to NETA's stationary..
• The Web Site Team is also be responsible for the regular up dating of the web site. We are looking for volunteers who want to join in managing the web site . If you are interested in joining the Team,or if you have a story to tell or an article you would like to see printed ,please contact Bob Speight on 0191 2678906 or e-mail :robert.speight@talktalk.net

• Discussions are underway to see how we can improve computer access for more of the punters , ie by providing better mice , large letter keyboards and possibly a touch sensitive screen.

• NETA takes this opportunity to thank the various people and organisations who have contributed or are contributing to helping NETA attain it's objectives:

Charity:

• Tavistock Trust

Organisation:

• Careability
• The Speech Society.
• Women's Guild.
• Hexham Lions

Corporate:

• Barclay's Bank.
• John Lewis Partnership (Newcastle).
• Marks & Spencer.
• Nexus.
• Northern Rock
• Newcastle United.
• Gateshead Council and Staff of Gateshead International Stadium
• Newcastle City Council and Staff at the Leazes Park
• In addition we would also like to give a very big "Thank You" to all the very many (emphasis on the many) people who participated in and supported our sponsored events.