People living with Parkinson’s are finding strength in their voices through a weekly speech therapy group run at Bayside Health Service.
The SPEAK OUT!® program begins with an intensive course of twice-weekly sessions and home practice.
After completing the course, participants can join a weekly maintenance group to help keep their voices strong.
Bayside Health Service Speech Pathologist Taisha Paterson-Burr said the program made a real difference.
“After the intensive course, people are able to come and join one of these groups to help maintain their loud speech,” she said.
Speech Pathologist Kelly Hale said ongoing practice was essential.
“Therapy is all well and good but unless you keep up the practice with progressive neurological conditions, then you start to deteriorate.
“So that’s why we find that voice maintenance groups help people to keep their voice strong,” she said.
Howard Ford said the group had become about more than speech therapy.
“Well, I personally enjoy the company, coming along and joining in,” Mr Ford said.
He said being part of the group helped him to feel supported.
“It’s maybe made me aware that I’m not in the boat alone,” he said. “You’re not going to improve your condition, but you can make the most of what you’ve got.
“The group has very good content and the service is full of really caring, bright staff,” he said.
The program was recently highlighted during Speech Pathology Week 2025, which carried the theme ‘Impact Through Communication’.