I felt a sense of belonging at the Youth Exchange

I had never heard of a camp for people who stammer before, and I thought it would help me in various personal and professional aspects of life. I was really interested in getting an insight into how other people view their stammer and their experiences, and how each person's culture influences the way they were brought up with a stammer. I also hoped to be part of the stammering community and make life-long connections with people from different countries.

A common thread

It was more than I had expected. It was such an amazing and life-changing experience. It seems to me like there was a common thread among everyone there. We had all faced difficult experiences in our childhoods, at home or at school — experiences of not being treated equally, being bullied or punished. I noticed that we had all experienced shame, embarrassment and guilt regarding our stammers and how we viewed ourselves because of it. This made me feel like I was not alone on my journey with stammering and my own experiences and feelings. 

I was really interested in getting an insight into how other people view their stammer and their experiences

What I enjoyed most were the National Evenings. There were participants from Spain, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and the UK, and every evening a different country presented their national music, information, food and drinks. They were fun evenings in which I got to know more about different cultures.

I also enjoyed the mindfulness sessions that took place every morning, in which I learnt how to link stammering with mindfulness techniques and how practising to be in the present moment can impact stammering more positively. In another session, I created my own mask by drawing and painting it to represent what my stammer looked like to me (see the picture at the top). I had never visualised the thoughts I had about my stammer and how I tried to mask it before. The overall theme of 'Outside the Mask' resonated with me. 

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Attendees at the Youth Exchange 2024 (courtesy of Stamily)

What I got out of it

In general, the Youth Exchange was well-organised and consisted of creative activities that helped me to step out of my comfort zone. It helped me view my stammer from a different, more positive, lens, and consider that it is OK and totally normal to stammer. It helped me realise that there was nothing wrong with me, and how to be my authentic self, in the end reshaping my previous negative associations of embarrassment and guilt.

It helped me view my stammer from a different, more positive, lens, and consider that it is OK and totally normal to stammer.

I feel equipped now to advocate for the rights of people who stammer and to speak up for myself if anyone lacks understanding. I would like to continue to help challenge the stigma around stammering in my personal and professional life. I have already started speaking more openly about stammering with my friends, work colleagues and family members. If I, as a social worker, come across a family in which anyone stammers, I am going to actively listen to them without focusing on how their speech is delivered and I will share my own experiences with them.

Since I've been back from the Youth Exchange, I now find myself not consciously making an attempt to conceal my stammer or substitute words anymore. I am trying to no longer hide my stammer in real-life situations and normalise it.

I felt a sense of belonging at the camp and that has encouraged me to continue being part of the stammering community and attend similar gatherings. It was inspiring to see everyone's different perspectives towards their speech and how everyone supported each other in any way possible.

The support staff, particularly Catherine from STAMMA, were extremely supportive and helpful with planning the trip. In general, STAMMA has done a fantastic job by organising and funding young people to have this experience.

For anyone thinking of going on the Youth Exchange for the first time, I would suggest to go with an open mind, open heart and an eagerness to learn and to re-shift your thoughts. It was like stepping into a new world, a safe and non-judgemental world.

Fancy going to the Youth Exchange 2025?

We're currently hoping to help 3-4 young adults go to the next Youth Exchange on the 21^st to 29^th July 2025. If you are a young person who stammers aged between 18 and 30, keep an eye on our website or become a STAMMA member for free/join our mailing list so we can let you know how to apply for a place.

Read more reflections from the Youth Exchange by Liv and Liss & Marilena.