A bright SPPARC

Abstract

Supporting Partners of People with Aphasia in Relationships and Conversation (SPPARC) was developed in London and is a proven method of improving interpersonal communication. SPPARC brings together carer support and conversational analysis. This article describes a project which investigated whether these positive findings could be replicated in a rural area where distance and population density are different. The first half of the 28 once weekly sessions provides participants with information and support on stroke and aphasia. The second part aims to increase knowledge of conversation, including the use of video recordings. Twenty carers were invited to participate of whom ten were unable to attend through employment and other commitments. Two groups were set up, one in a town with good transport services, and the other in a small rural town. Only two of the carers and their partners were willing to video themselves and one of these was unrepresentative of normal conversation, so video clips from the programme were used to illustrate and facilitate more effective two-way conversation. Evaluations were very positive about the benefits of SPPARC. As a result of the project a monthly evening carers' group has been set up for those who attended as well as others who were unable to attend the daytime programme.