The self-help group allowed me to practise in a safe environment. It allows me to challenge myself without fear and to seek self-improvement. ISA is great to challenge me when I lose touch and practise on my stutter. Great for hearing other people’s [stuttering] problems’, identifying with them and helping each other in a safe environment.

Before I came to the ISA self-help group I never said the word stammer, let alone openly discussed it with anyone. Now I can’t stop telling people about my stammer and how I am dealing with it step by step. And that’s thanks to the self-help group where we can all stammer to our hearts’ content and be proud to do so without judgement and be helped along week by week.

When I came to the self-help group a few years ago, my knowledge of others who stammer was small. Since then I have gained confidence and heard others’ experience and it gives me confidence and reassurance about my stammer. Stammering is about your whole life, not just about your stammer.

Since I started coming to ISA I have had ups and downs. Ups being that I have learned that I am not the only one with this problem, this gives me a little bit of confidence. Down side part of it being that I tend to look in myself or try to be perfect.

The self-help group brings confidence to people that they wouldn’t necessarily have. The great thing about the self-help group is that every meeting is different.

I like going to the self-help group because it means I often meet people who stammer and I know I am not the only one. I was anxious about going to the meeting the first time but everyone there made me feel welcome and I realised I didn’t have to feel powerless about my speech. Being at the self-help group means I can share my feelings about my speech with other people who feel the same.

Facing up to your stammering and working on improving your relationship to it takes a long time, so it is great to have a regular meeting to chart your progress as well as receive and offer support.

Before coming to the self-help group I very rarely spoke about my stammer, now I find it easier and it helps my confidence. It’s so much better to have it out in the open. Talking always HELPS!

It’s very helpful to meet up with other people who stammer and to exchange experiences and feelings. It’s important to know that there are other people who have felt the same way.

The self-help group is a safe place to challenge myself with speaking openly about my stammer.