Report by MHARI KELLY

THE talk of the town - that's Northwich Infirmary's new speech and language therapist Penny Tatt.

She helps around 120 patients who have speech difficulties, problems swallowing or those who have suffered a stroke.

But Penny says that once her patients have reached a certain stage of recovery they are then left to their own devices, unless volunteers come forward to provide support during the long recuperation process.

"It can be very frustrating for people who have had strokes," Penny said. "A stroke takes a split second but it has a devastating effect on the victim and the family.

"And support is sadly lacking in the community."

Penny says that volunteers are desperately needed to visit stroke patients at their homes once a week to help them with speech therapy.

She explained: "Once my patients have reached a certain stage of rehabilitation, it means I can pass them on to a volunteer from the Stroke Association.

"These people are a great help because without them many patients would have little support. Once they are discharged from hospital they are left on their own in the community."

Elizabeth Wenham, of the Stroke Association, added: "Volunteers are vital to our work.

"They try to carry on where the speech and language therapist has finished off. Without their help many people would have nowhere to turn."

Qualifications aren't necessary to become a volunteer as full training is given.

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