Are there any ways that I can meet other young people who stammer?

From in-person and online group therapy courses to becoming involved with the ASC community, we offer a range of exciting projects through which you can meet and develop a peer support network with other young people who stammer.

Talking Out Stammering Courses 

Described by a number of participants as ‘life-changing’, we’re proud to fully fund courses for young people who stammer, delivered by non-profit speech and language therapy service, Talking Out Ltd. These in-person and online courses help young people to build confidence, grow resilience and connect with others who understand what it’s like to stammer.

Each year, ASC funds three group therapy courses run by Talking Out Ltd. Young people living in any part of the UK and who are aged between 11-18* years are welcome to apply. The courses take place over 5 days, usually during the school holidays. 

We offer two residential courses each year, which are held in-person and require young people to stay at Bewerley Park in North Yorkshire for the week. These courses combine speech and language therapy and outdoor activities. The third course is held online and follows the same therapy programme but without the outdoor activities. The courses focus on helping you develop your self-esteem, acceptance and resilience, and are a great way to meet other young people who stammer

 *11 year olds must be of secondary school age when the course takes place.

For more information, contact our Support Hub Advisor or visit the Talking Out website. 

City St George’s University Stammering Intensive Courses

This communication and resiliency-focused group course takes place each year usually in July during the summer holidays. It is open to all young people aged 13 to 17 years living in the UK and is run by specialist speech and language therapists at City St George's University. 

The face-to-face 5-day course is run by speech and language therapists who specialise in stammering. The course focuses on developing confidence in communicating, resilience and self-esteem. In particular, young people will:

• Explore ways to experience more effective and enjoyable communication
• Increase their understanding of communication, speaking and stammering
• Meet other young people who stammer
• Explore ways to stammer with less struggle and tension
• Develop greater awareness of their communication strengths and skills
• Practice communication/speaking goals that are important for them in their life
• Build more resiliency around communication.

The course also includes a parents’ session, which focuses on:

• Educating parents on supporting the young person’s resiliency around speaking and communication
• Tackling specific topics that are important for parents, e.g., managing transitions, teasing/bullying, handling stress, etc.

ASC Youth Panel

The ASC Youth Panel brings together young people aged 15–25 who stammer. It’s a place to connect and share experiences with others who have similar experiences. The panel also plays a key role in shaping our organisational strategy and advocacy work, ensuring the experiences of those who stammer are heard where it matters most.

This opportunity may be of particular interest if you’d like to be involved in supporting our stammering advocacy work through the running of awareness-raising campaigns and representing the charity in the media.

Useful links:

• Learn more about how we can help
• Access our Support Pages
• Our Community Programmes