Press Office

August

Strokes of the Brush: Art and Aphasia

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An art project which helps give people with aphasia more confidence is going on tour.

The North East Trust for Aphasia (NETA) art show Strokes of the Brush: Art and Aphasia allows people to hear about stroke illness from those who have experienced it first hand, and challenges its members to brave talking to strangers.  
Aphasia is a complex communication impairment that affects about a third of all stroke patients and their families. It affects the brain’s language centre and all modes of verbal communication may be involved. For some it is a short term condition, but for others it may persist and can be life changing.

“Aphasia can be an isolating condition for the whole family,” explains centre co-ordinator Dr Rose Hilton, of Newcastle University. “There may be families who know someone with aphasia, but who do not realise that there are many people who have aphasia and that life can still be good for them.”

The project’s aim is to highlight artwork produced by the NETA Aphasia Support Centre art group, and to also inform people about aphasia stroke services in the North East and how to avoid strokes through lifestyle changes.

Strokes of the Brush: Art and Aphasia is funded collaboratively between NETA, Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences and Newcastle Institute for Creative Arts Practice.

The project will run across the North East until November 2015. Dates and venues confirmed so far are:

Further venues are being arranged. You can see more about NETA and aphasia at their website or on Facebook.

published on: 10 August 2015