A former pub landlady from Blackburn lost her ability to speak following a stroke – but one surprising thing has helped bring her voice back.

A fundraising day has now been launched to raise money and awareness of her condition.

Trish Barnes, former landlady of The Havelock Inn and The Ivy pub in Blackburn, suffered a bad stroke nine years ago, aged 59.

As a result, she developed aphasia, when a person has difficulty with their language or speech due to brain damage.

Trish’s sister, Carole Davis, said she “can’t string a sentence together” and the stroke also impacted her ability to walk.

Carole Davis and Trish BarnesCarole Davis and Trish Barnes (Image: Carole Davis)

She said: “She can’t communicate verbally and has limited words. She can say yes or no and then it’s just mumbles and she can’t string a sentence together.

“It’s frustrating for Trish. She is aware of everything but can’t get out what she wants to say.

"At the beginning she was very depressed but now she has a great care team around her.”

Some research has found that singing helps patients with aphasia.

According to the NHS Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, aphasia patients “often find it easier to sing, which greatly improves their quality of life”.

Carole said music has helped Trish, aged 68, who is able to sing a few sentences from a song.

She said: “Aphasia which takes your voice away but strangely [some people have been found to] still retain the ability to sing.

“If you play a song she knows she can string a few sentences together from that song. We were blown away.

“She used to sing on the karaoke when she was a pub landlady and there were three or four songs she was used to singing.

“Singing makes her smile and we always tell her how brilliant she is.

“She can’t walk yet she has the ability to sing. It is completely amazing.”

The Stroke Association is encouraging people to organise their own Sing4Stroke event to raise awareness of stroke survivors, as well as funds for charity.

Carole will be hosting a singing event at Blackburn pub, The Clifton Arms, to raise funds for the charity Stroke – North West. 

The ‘Sing in their Eyes’ event, which kicks off at 3pm on November 3, will see people dress up and take to the stage to sing their favourite songs.

An Amy Winehouse tribute act can be expected as well as the musical stylings from ‘Blondie’ and beyond.

There will even be performances from headline act, Trish.

Carole said: “She’s been practising and has a lot of sponsors.

“It will be a light-hearted day. As well as raising money and awareness we will be having fun on the day too. It is going to be a big, fun day.”

Carole also said the event is to help people who have friends or loved ones with aphasia. She hopes it can educate people on how to treat those with the condition.

She said: “This is to help other people who are in the situation she is in.

“It’s hard for people who are new to communication with Trish as no one knows what she means.

“People don’t know what to say and we tell them ‘just be normal and have normal conversations’ because she knows what you’re saying. You just need a bit of patience and understanding

“You would be amazed at how many people who have had or know someone who has had a stroke.”

A spokesperson for the Stroke Association said: "One in three stroke survivors will experience aphasia – making it difficult for them to speak or communicate. 

"Mums, dads, grandparents, young people, even children can be left unable to see, speak, or even swallow. Being unable to express yourself can be incredibly frustrating. It can make you feel isolated and lonely.

"But there is hope. Amazingly, singing ability is often preserved in people with aphasia.

Join us for Sing4Stroke and help stroke survivors find their voice again. You can sing together or solo.

"You could sing at home, the office, school or organise your own event. 

"If you’re part of a choir or group, you could dedicate a collection at one of your concerts to the Stroke Association."