Remembering Frank Geoghégán-Quinn

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Frank (courtesy of Communication Inclusion People)

We are deeply saddened to learn that Frank Geoghégán-Quinn, who was heavily involved in the operation of our old Scottish branch BSA Scotland, died in July last year, aged 54. Here, speech & language therapist and former Scottish Development Manager of BSA Scotland Jan Anderson pays tribute.

I first met Frank as a young man in 1995 when he joined a short course for people who stammer through Edinburgh Council's adult education programme. Frank went on to support the establishment and ongoing management of the self-led 'Edinburgh Stammering Support Group', which ran successfully for many years. 

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Frank (second left) and Jan (middle), with other members of BSA Scotland (courtesy of Jan Anderson)

Frank was a key contributor to the organisation of the first British Stammering Association (BSA, now STAMMA) Conference in Scotland, at Carberry Towers in 1996. In 2004, he was first Convenor of the Scottish branch of BSA (BSA Scotland) and made a huge contribution in the five years it operated, being involved in successes including a further conference in Stirling in 2004; Open Days across Scotland for children, young people and adults; the first 'Walk and Talk' weekends; three residential outdoor activity courses for Scottish stammering 'tweens' (called Stammer 'S' Cool); a drama project and more. Frank volunteered his time and skills generously, only latterly assuming a short-term funded role.

Frank was loyal and dependable. Without his passion and commitment, BSA Scotland would not have flourished as it did.

Frank was extremely bright, articulate, funny, caring, sensitive and a great listener. He was a skilled writer — creative but also fastidious in his attention to detail, whether writing for the newsletter (called Blether) or contributing to policy documents and funding applications.

Frank was loyal and dependable. Without his passion and commitment, BSA Scotland would not have flourished as it did. He shunned the limelight but underpinned its success — he was appreciated, respected and well-liked by everyone. 

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Frank with members of BSA Scotland (back row, right, in the first picture, and centre-left in the second)

After BSA Scotland closed, Frank maintained his commitment to volunteering and passion for supporting people facing communication barriers. He volunteered at events, then joined the Board of Edinburgh-based initiative 'Communication Inclusion People', playing an active role until 2024, when he stepped back due to poor health.

Frank will be remembered affectionately by a great many people. Unfortunately, he struggled with poor mental and physical health throughout his adult life and died too soon.

Frank Geoghégán-Quinn (1971-2025).

Thank you to Jan for sharing her memories of Frank. And thank you to Frank for his devotion and contribution to the stammering community. He will be sorely missed.

You can read a tribute that Frank himself wrote in 2024 about Pete Hancock, another figure who was instrumental in setting up and running BSA Scotland.

Read more about BSA Scotland on Our History Page.