A COMMUNICATION awareness day has taken place at Barry Hospital to highlight the work of speech and language therapists with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB).

The therapists work with patients who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

Therapist Rebecca Wooller said: “We were absolutely delighted to see so many people stop by our stand to find out about the important work that we do.

“It is important to raise awareness about the treatment, support and care that we provide for adults who have difficulties with communication, to enable them to live well and improve quality of life.”

The Vale community resource service (VCRS) is a multidisciplinary team (MDT) based in Barry Hospital.

The health and social services' integrated team consists of speech and language therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, social workers, reablement support workers and rehabilitation technicians who work closely with voluntary organisations.

They work with people in their own homes to maximise independence while supporting discharge from hospital and helping to prevent hospital admissions.

The awareness day highlighted communication disorders and showed how the multi-disciplinary team can help.

The team held a stand in their department, demonstrating facts about communication, communication aids.

They also held a sponsored silence during their lunch time in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which raises money to support people affected by motor neurone disease and fund research.

A cake sale was held with money raised for the cause.

Communication sessions were held in the afternoon session, helping staff to break down the barriers of communication.