JCPSLP Vol 17 No 2 2015_web

enabling opportunity to learn from others and facilitate a sense of purpose. 6. Shared experience. Each of the above five factors revolved around the final and, arguably, the central factor, that of the shared experience provided by the group. This was reflected in such comments as, “I’m getting the benefit of them struggling as I struggle” (Participant 3) and “Our group is friendly and we feel like we belong, a part of the group” (Participant 1). This experience is broadened here to include friendship, enjoyment, and a sense of group belonging. Discussion This study sought to examine the communication group experiences of group participants and their carers to identify which factors contributed to the success and longevity of a highly successful long-running community communication group for people with acquired brain injury (mainly stroke). It was anticipated that information drawn from the perspectives of a sample of both group participants and carers would allow the creation of a preliminary model for sustainable communication groups that could be implemented with future groups and be evaluated, and subsequently inform providers. Given a key difference between the successful group and the group facing dissolution in the same geographical vicinity was the involvement of an SLP, we were interested in the extent to which this influenced the group’s success or whether the shared experience of the group may be sufficient to maintain the group as a viable entity. While 14 themes were initially identified in the data set, further reflection of the data highlighted 6 broader themes which emerged from the data. These were considered, by their nature, to be critical internal factors as they related to the operation of the group. Underpinning these internal factors, however, were a series of critical external sustaining factors which involved organisational processes. Each of these factors are represented schematically in Figure 1 in a proposed model of communication group sustainability and discussed below. Critical internal factors The first internal factor, the skills of the volunteers , was acknowledged by the participants as fundamental to the

considered critical to the group’s success and which included: 1. Volunteer skills. The first coalescence of factors revolved around the knowledge, skills, and personal attributes of the volunteer facilitators and was viewed as critical to the group’s success, with listening skills rated highly, along with targeted facilitation of communication among people with a range of speech and language impairments. Having the highest number of references in the interviews, the importance of the volunteers in supporting the group success emerged strongly, playing an important role in facilitating a safe group environment and effective communication support and practice. The personal characteristics of demonstrating enthusiasm, empathy, confidence, and interest in group members were considered critical in the context of the unique contribution brought by each. 2. Communication opportunity. The second critical success factor around which several themes revolved was the opportunity to be engaged in communication, i.e., to be understood, to have time given to communicate, and to be supported in practising communication skills. One participant reported, What it does is gives you confidence to talk among other people and to range your thoughts because if you have a brain injury or a stroke your brain is a bit scr- scrambled and see you need a chance to exercise that the way of thinking and to talk. (Participant 1) Equally, the opportunity for social connection and interaction was viewed highly, as was the opportunity to both assist others and take the opportunity to learn from other group members, in particular with regards to strategies. Importantly, three of the four participants with communication difficulties reported increased speech and language skills – which was not the explicit intention of the group – contributing to their motivation to attend. 3. Communication framework. The value of a clear communication framework that informs the philosophy or culture of a communication group drew together a number of themes. Based around the total communication approach, themes relating to acceptance of communication, opportunity for safe and supported practice to improve speech, opportunity to help and learn from others, to be understood by others, and to experience a sense of belonging were identified as key components of a successful communication framework or group culture. Together these factors contributed to increased ease of communication and overall confidence. 4. Group organisation. Themes relating to the routine and structure of the group, regularity of meetings, organisation of the facilities, logistics, such as transport and afternoon tea, group schedules, weekly preparation, and activities coalesced, indicating that effective group organisation was another factor critical to the success of the group. While the volunteers contributed to the smooth running of the weekly groups, the further organisation put in place by the SLP around meeting space, transport, and interaction with other service providers was acknowledged. 5. Environment. Several themes coalesced around the provision of a safe physical and supported social environment with this viewed as critical to the success of the group. With clear overlap between other areas (e.g., involving acceptance, belonging, being understood by others, similar difficulties of others), the environment was viewed as one where people understood, were accepting without judgment and where it was safe to make mistakes,

S u s t a i n i n g p r o c e s s e s Communication opportunity

Communication framework

Volunteer skills

Shared experience

Group organisation

Environment

Volunteer training and support

Recruitment and marketing

Communication strategy and co-ordination

Figure 1. Model of communication group sustainability

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JCPSLP Volume 17, Number 2 2015

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