International Stammering Awareness Day 2024!

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Today is International Stammering Awareness Day (ISAD), THE day of the year for stammering — a chance for us to make some noise and celebrate our community. Here's what we've got in store for you to get involved with.

• Our helpline & webchat will be open from 10am-8pm today. If you need support, want to practise speaking or just fancy a chat, drop us a line.

Tonight's 'Our Tribe' online event

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Join our online event exclusively for STAMMA members at 7pm this evening. Host Scroobius Pip and a panel of guests will explore our different attitudes to stammering. Roger Pim, our new Chair, will introduce.

Book your place now - click here. The panel includes:

• Nicole Scott, who recently featured on BBC Breakfast
• Paul Aston, artist   
• Naheem Bashir, Stammering Pride advocate
• Bhupinder Purewal, teacher & stammering group leader.

Day of Action against Starbucks, 26th October

On Saturday, 26^th October, STAMMA and the Stammering Pride community call for change in how Starbucks treats people who stammer.

Many in our community have faced difficulties and ridicule when ordering in coffee shops. After hearing from over 1,500 of you, we shared a guide full of recommendations with all major coffee chains. Most responded, but not Starbucks. 

Starbucks' policy of asking customers for their names to write on cups creates barriers for people who stammer which is why we're asking for a discussion about making their stores more inclusive. 

Bring Family & Friends

Bring everyone on Saturday at 11am at one of the Starbucks branches below to order a coffee. Let Starbucks hear our stammering voices and show that our voices matter. 

London 

You've got two options in London:

Meeting at: Starbucks, 13b Hanover Square, London W1S 1HN

Look out for Patrick, Laura & Naheem (pictured below). Patrick says, "We'll gather in Hanover square from 10:40am. We'll be wearing stammering/STAMMA related T-shirts and have the stammering pride flag so you can identify us".

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Laura (left) with Kristal, Patrick & Naheem

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Marin

Meeting at: Starbucks, 3 Tower Place, London EC3R 5BT

Marin (pictured), leader of the STAMMA Entrepreneurs network, is planning to meet in East London. 

Look out for Marin at the Tower Place Starbucks on the day. He says "I'm 6.5 feet tall and bald, so it's hard to miss me".

Liverpool: 

Meeting at: Starbucks, Ranelagh St, Liverpool L1 1JW 

Look our for Hilary & Lesley (pictured below). Hilary says, "I'll be outside Starbucks from 10:50am (opposite Central Station) and inside from 11am-12noon. Please phone/text me on 07890 398216 so that I know you're coming".

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Hilary (second left) and Lesley (right)

Grimsby:

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Wendy

Meeting at: Starbucks, Cleethorpes Road, Grimsby DN313BP.

Look out for Wendy (pictured). Wendy says, "I will arrive at 10:45am and wait outside, not far from the entrance. 

'You can recognise me from my blue hair, and I will be wearing a yellow STAMMA lanyard".

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John

Glasgow

Meeting at: Starbucks, 27 Sauchiehall Street, GS 3AT.

If you're in on near Glasgow, John from the Scottish Stammering Network is planning to meet.

Look out for John (pictured) at the branch in Sauchiehall Street at around 11am.

Doncaster

Meeting at: Starbucks, Silk Road, Doncaster DN2 4LT.

If you're in Doncaster, Bob and other members of the Doncaster Stammering Association will be meeting at the Starbucks on Silk Road. Look out for Bob, pictured below. 

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Bob

Other ways to join in 

• Download, print and drop off our letter at your nearest Starbucks. 
• Show support online: Use the hashtag #StarbucksDayofAction. Like and share our posts on our Instagram, X & Facebook feeds.

Distraction Pieces podcast

STAMMA CEO Jane Powell features in Scroobius Pip's podcast Distraction Pieces for a special ISAD edition. Have a listen: find links for your favourite podcast provider.

Have a great ISAD everyone!