Sir.–I would like to share with your readers the very positive experience that one of the members of my group had with the Ikea store in Hampshire.

The lady in question has suffered a stroke, which has left her with communication difficulties – a condition known as aphasia.

She had taken a train from her home in Basingstoke and arrived via the bus at Ikea in Southampton.

After informing one of the staff of her difficulties, her list of items was collected on her behalf, taken to the payment checkout and on to the delivery service where she was ably supported to arrange for the items to be delivered to her home.

I was delighted that Ikea had enabled this particular lady to have such a positive experience. Aphasia and communication difficulties following a stroke are not always known about and understood, but the staff were actively supportive.

It is a shame that we always seem to hear about the negative things that people experience these days, so with that in mind, it is nice to be able to report about Ikea’s great service.

–Paula Wibrew, communication support co-ordinator, The Stroke Association, Basingstoke.