A STAMMERING activist has revealed the ways in which people will be able to celebrate Stammering Awareness Day with a twist. 

Today marks International Stammering Awareness Day 2020 and with coronavirus and lockdown affecting events across the board, the normally bustling schedule has been replaced with a digital alternative.

Adam Black, 31, has lived with a stammer for over 23 years and has turned his hand to helping others live with the condition working with The McGuire Programme and Scottish Stammering Network. 

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Adam said: "This year we'll be showing assemblies in school just like last year but it will be video assemblies. 

"It has been a very odd year to try to keep the awareness there and keep those with stammers in contact for support. 

"At such an anxious time, it is very important for us to not forget about this."

Adam, a teacher at Williamwood High School, says that alongside the digital assembly for school kids, there will be an 'equalities chat' Zoom call for adults and a training Zoom call also. 

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He said: "During lockdown, we have been able to keep up weekly support group through technology but it does make it difficult. 

"In our normal sessions we are able to teach breathing techniques, but this is difficult to do so over a video call. 

"Not only that but we encourage people to get out and chat to people in public as part of the support sessions and we realise that people will feel anxious about people coming up to them and speaking at the moment, especially if breathing techniques are being used."

The Stammer Awareness Day events will also see a joke workshop, hosted by Adam, take place. 

Adam said: "People can bring along a joke, a piece of poetry or reading. 

"It's really an hour for people to just take out of their day and I guess in a way take their minds off of everything that is going on at the moment.

"It will hopefully be some escapism for people."

For more information, you can visit the Scottish Stammering Network's website.