UK North
contact details
Those interested in joining our programme in UK North, contact:
Iain Mutch
PO Box 160
Ryton
Tyne and Wear
NE40 3WZ +44 (0)191 413 9100
07761 823 461 mobile
iainmutch@hotmail.com
You can also download the information pack here.
regional director
My name is Iain Mutch. I joined the McGuire Programme in September 2000 at the age of 33. Up to that point my stammer had dictated to me how I lived my life and how I behaved whenever I had to speak. I developed a stammer very early in life, probably at the age of 3 or 4. My time in school. college, university, my working and social life was dominated by the words 'I can't'. If I needed to speak in public or in front of my peers I would always have difficulties. I would block, struggle, try to use tricks and avoid. 
The list of things I was unable to do seemed endless - read out loud, speak foreign languages, take part in drama or debating, participate in school assemblies, ask questions in class, answer questions in class, lead seminars, give presentations, chair meetings, use the telephone, order food and drink...As an adult a series of life events came along that re-emphasised how big a problem my stammer was.
I avoided making a speech when I was asked to be the best man at a friend's wedding; I made an absolute fool of myself in court when trying to swear myself in as a member of a jury; I dreaded my wedding day as I knew I wouldn't be able to say my vows or make the groom's speech and I avoided giving a eulogy at my father's funeral.
Five days after that funeral I was in Bournemouth on my first McGuire Programme course. Enough was enough, something had to be done!
Thankfully, something was done when i joined the McGuire Programme. I rapidly learned how to control my stammer. My tricks stopped and I could say what I wanted to say, when I wanted to say it, how I wanted to say it, for the first time in my life. I didn't have to avoid speaking situations anymore. The 'I can't' had turned to 'I can'! All this wasn't magic, it was down to facing your fears, putting effort in, concentration, application and a fair amount of courage.
Since my first course I've attended many more. I've sustained, maintained and improved the massive gains I made in Bournemouth in 2000.
In September 2002 I became the Regional Director of the UK North region. Every year I organise and run 4 four day, intensive, residential courses to help people who stammer to get the same help that I received in Bournemouth in September 2000.
My stammer rarely bothers me now and it's no longer an influence on how I live my life.
upcoming courses
31 Jul 2013 - 04 Aug 2013, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
The Royal Station Hotel
Neville Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 5DH
Course Instructor: Adam Black
Course Organiser: John ONeill
Tel: 07966 011128
09 Oct 2013 - 13 Oct 2013, Dundee, Scotland
The Queen's Hotel
160 Nethergate,
Dundee,
DD1 4DU
Course Instructor: Graeme Duffin and Patrick McNabb
Course Organiser: Alex Todd
Tel: 07506 324063
upcoming events
13 Jul 2013, York Open Day
York Open Day - 2pm start, Saturday 13th July 2013
Regatta Suite
Park Inn by Radisson York City Centre
North Street
York YO1 6JF
Everyone welcome to this free event
20 Jul 2013, Newcastle upon Tyne Open Day
Newcastle upon Tyne Open Day - 2pm start, Saturday 20th July 2013
Grainger Suite
Royal Station Hotel
Neville Street
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5DH
Everyone welcome to this free event
support groups
Cardiff Support Group. Meetings: Mondays fortnightly. 7.00pm-9.00pm. Christ Baptist Church, Lake Road North, Roath, CF23 5QN
Contact: Alan Jones or Lauren Greasley
East Midlands Support Group. Meetings: Tuesdays fortnightly. 7pm-9pm.
Clock Warehouse, Shardlow, London Road, Derby DE72 2GL.
Contact: Kapil Gohil 07590 892 537
Edinburgh Support Group. Edinburgh Support Group. 2013 Meetings – first Monday each month (with the exceptions of April and May): February 4th, March 4th, April 8th, May 13th, June 3rd, July 1st, August 5th, September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th, December 2nd. 6pm-8pm. Conference room, Central Library, 7-9 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EG.
Contact: Alastair Cameron, 07801 718435
Glasgow Support Group. 2013 Meetings- always the second Thursday of the month: February 14th*, March 14th*, April 11th, May 9th, June 13th, July 11th, August 8th, September 12th, October 10th* and November 14th*. Venue: Queens Park Baptist Church, 20 Balvicar Drive, Glasgow, G42 8QS.
*These dates will take place at the Queens Drive building.
Lancashire Support Group.
Meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 7pm.
Coppull Leisure Centre, Springfield Road, Coppull, Chorley, PR7 5EG
Contact: Paul Paluch 07921 948 433
Middlesbrough Support Group. Meetings: Tuesdays fortnightly. 7pm-9pm.
Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1EP. Enter from Dunning St near post boxes, through archway and left door. Go to reception upstairs. Free parking at Civic Centre car park (behind the Empire,Corporation Rd).
Contact: Matthew Richardson
West Midlands Improvement Days. 10am-2pm.
2013 dates: 12th January, 9th February, 9th March.
Acocks Green Methodist Church, Birmingham, B27 7YE.
Contact: Angie Allbones 0782 558 0169
Newcastle Support Group. Meetings: Wednesdays, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Monthly from 8 February 2012.
All Saints' Church Hall, round the corner, on Linden Road, from All Saints' Church, West Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4ES
Contact: Dave Conley 07816 469650.
Swansea Support Group. Meetings: Tuesdays fortnightly, 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Fforestfach Community Centre, Swansea.
Contact: Matt Smith 07813 654 514
Yorkshire Support Group. Next meetings: Tuesday Jan 8th 2013 and fortnightly thereafter. 7.30pm-9.45pm.
Dewsbury Women's Centre, 7 Wellington Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1LY.
Contact: Alan Rogers 01274 591 626
Yorkshire Improvement Days. Saturdays. 9.45am-12.30pm followed by contacts.
Contact: Andrew Hodge 01482 679 939
