Article

This article reports results from a qualitative study in the U.K. of people with
aphasia who have been involved in volunteering. The study describes their
experiences; explores, from their perspective, the effects of involvement; and
identifies key facilitators and barriers to the successful participation of
people with aphasia in community activity. Data were collected by means of 10
individual semi-structured interviews using supported conversation techniques and
through a focus group involving five more people. All participants had aphasia
following a stroke. Average length of time since stroke for participants in the
individual interviews was 5.6 years (range 3-12 years) and for participants in
the focus group was 4.6 (range 1-10 years). Results are discussed according to
four themes: (i) the effects of the activity on self; (ii) the effects on others;
(iii) the effects on organisations hosting the activity and (iv) perceived
barriers and facilitators impacting on volunteering. Implications are drawn for
the promotion of participatory community activity within the matrix of
therapeutic approaches and considered in light of previous studies that have
reported the conceptualisations of people with aphasia about their lives and
aspirations.

Langue : ANGLAIS