A PIONEERING project aimed at helping people with speech problems to access shops and businesses has been launched in the North-East.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and the Stroke Association are working with high street brands, including Barclays, to help staff understand aphasia - a condition that affects 250,000 people in the UK.

The Aphasia Aware project, the first of its kind in the UK, is funded by Durham County Council and aims to enable businesses across Durham to be more accessible.

Aphasia Aware is designed to increase understanding of aphasia, a condition caused by stroke or a brain injury that affects a person’s ability to process and use language.

People with aphasia make mistakes in the words they use and often find it difficult to understand words and sentences that they hear or read. Some people with aphasia may also experience dysarthria or slurred speech, which is sometimes mistaken for drunkenness.

The training provides businesses with tools and techniques to help customers including the use of simple language, improved listening skills, the provision of a pen and paper to write things down, and physically helping people to sort their money at tills.

Participating shops can display an Aphasia Aware sign at tills and information points, and customers carrying an aphasia ID card can then show this to let people know that they may require assistance.

Apart from Barclays, several other shops and businesses in Durham are taking part in the Aphasia Aware trial, including BHS, Next, St Nicholas Church cafe and fair trade shop, Boots, Clarks, Durham County Council Libraries, Shop Mobility, and Costa Coffee.

Stroke Association deputy head Louise Hedley said: “Given the massive impact on a stroke survivor’s life, the new flash card, window decals and logos at shopping tills will help assure people that local businesses understand the issues, barriers and frustrations that can come from having a communication difficulty.”