A MECHANICAL engineering apprentice has told how his life has been transformed after he took part in a program to conquer his stammer.

Rashid Mahmood had a severe stammer which he said impacted on his ability to achieve at school and to get a job.

Mr Mahmood, 20, had been treated by the NHS for his stammer but was unimpressed by the results.

After taking part in the McGuire Programme, Mr Mahmood of New Bank Road, Blackburn, said he successfully learned how to manage his stammer and got a job straight after finishing the course.

He said: "Before the course I was apprehensive of what I was saying and embarrassed every time I would stammer.

"When I was in high school I would always hate doing presentations or reading out loud. I couldn't do my English speaking exam."

Since doing the course Mr Mahmood said he now enjoys public speaking.

"I actually enjoy it and the feedback from friends and family is that they can't get me to shut up," he said.

Following the first four-day course Mr Mahmood now regularly attends refresher courses and practises the recommended exercises each day.

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust offers a Speech and Language Therapy Service to help stammerers.

The Trust's speech and language therapist, Elizabeth McLean, said: "We offer one to one therapy sessions with our patients which help them to better understand their stammer and provide strategies and exercises that help them to control the stammer and gain confidence with their communication.

“The effects of having a stammer can vary by individual however some people may experience anxiety, reduced self-confidence or overall wellbeing and avoiding people or social situations."

A spokesperson for the British Stammering Association, said: "Stammering is a serious communication disability with wide-reaching negative impacts on education, job prospects, social life and even mental health.

"Through approaches like the McGuire programme or therapy available on the NHS, many of the negative impacts of stammering can be ameliorated and communication can be improved.

"Early intervention in children is crucial, as this is the only time where fluent speech can be recovered."

For more information visit the website at stammering.org.