A COLNE man who has a problem with his speech has helped to launch a new scheme to make the lives of other suffers easier.

Bruce Jowett, 34, has been urging people to ‘get the message’ by launching unique calling cards for people with communications difficulties.

Keen cyclist, Bruce marked the launch of the service by leading 25 cyclists on a 50-mile ride around Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley at the weekend.

He said: “Over the last couple of years I had experienced a few nasty incidents, with people thinking I was taking the mickey out of people with more severe disabilities, or thinking I’m slurring my speech because I’m drunk.

“I’ve had trouble getting into pubs and clubs because bouncers think I’ve had too much to drink, and in stressful situations like that it’s even more difficult for me to make clear exactly what my condition is. It can be very embarrassing.

“I visited my GP at first to ask if there was any sort of scheme available to help, but there was nothing available.”

Staff at the Community Equipment and Disability Advice Centre, at St Peter’s Health and Leisure Centre, in Burnley, decided to provide bespoke cards explaining service users circumstancs after hearing Bruce’s plight.

Occupational Therapists who run the CEDA Centre teamed up with the East Lancashire Lions to fund the scheme.

Sarah Heyes said: “People with severe allergies or other acute medical conditions have had keyrings and pendants containing medical information for a long time so lots of people are used to seeing them.

“We were surprised to find that there was no similar scheme to help people communicate, but communications difficulties can be very wide-ranging, and linked to a whole host of different conditions.”

The cyclists set off from Reedley Rugby Club on Sunday, before joining the Accrington Lions’ charter lunch.