Your Questions about The STARFISH Project Answered

We have answered here some of the questions most frequently asked by people coming on a STARFISH intensive course.
However, you may have other specific questions, if so please ask. You can telephone or email us at any time. It may seem like a small question, but it's important to you, so please ask.

Q - Is this a CURE for stammering?

A - Unfortunately there is no cure yet for stammering. We provide, what we believe is, the most effective method of controlling your stammer that is available today, and we are constantly changing and improving. There are courses that advertise false claims of stammering cures - please do not be misled into believing such claims.

Q - Where are STARFISH courses held?

A - Courses are held at The Burlington Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne East Sussex, in the Southeast of England.

burlington hotel

Q - How long does a STARFISH course last?

A - STARFISH courses last for three days.

Q - How many people are on a STARFISH course?

A - Numbers of new students is always restricted on a STARFISH course, to ensure the highest possible level of personal tuition. By ensuring numbers are restricted, the majority of time on a STARFISH course is spent in one-to-one tuition.

Q - Do I have to keep up with everyone else on the course?

A - No, not on a STARFISH course, as we have said your training and your rate of recovery from stammering is individual. This is not a competition; there is no fear of having to keep up with other people, as on some other courses. On a STARFISH course we ensure that your pace is respected and followed at all times.

Q - On some courses you are asked to stand up and make a speech in a public place, will I have to do this on a Starfish course?

A - No, not on a STARFISH course, we do not believe in asking people to do something that they are highly unlikely to do in their everyday life. Most speech therapists will tell you that they have found that, many people who stammer would, with encouragement stand up and perform in public this way. It is very similar to the example that many stammerers quote that they can act on stage without stammering. But it's not real life, on STARFISH we prefer to work on situations that you regularly encounter with you (e.g. the Post Office, ordering a meal in a busy McDonalds, enquiring about bus timetables etc. etc.)

Q - Are there breaks in the day on a STARFISH course?

A - Yes, we will regularly break during the day, and of course at lunch time, to ensure you stay 'fresh'. We keep a training day to your maximum input level - not to your exhaustion point. Most training days start at 9 a.m. and finish between 5 and 6 p.m.

Q - Is The STARFISH Project available for children who stammer?

A - Yes, We are proud to say, that The STARFISH Project has had great success to date working with children age 12 - 16 years old (accompanied by one parent). However, whilst the course is adjusted with respect to the child, is vital that the child concerned appreciates fully the level of commitment required.

Q - How much does it cost?

A - The total fees for your STARFISH Project intensive fluency recovery course including LIFETIME SUPPORT is £250.

Q - Why is the cost of The Starfish Project course so much less than other courses?

A - We believe that it is wrong to take advantage, particularly financial advantage, of the misfortune of other people. Stammering may currently be your misfortune; we will not take advantage of that. We understand that our beliefs may not be held by the organisers of other courses for stammerers that charge anything up to £1000 (plus accommodation). We have managed to keep the fee of your STARFISH course to the minimum that enables us to cover the costs of running the project. This is exclusive of your accommodation costs (see below).

Q - Where do I stay while on a STARFISH course?

A - We have agreed preferential accommodation rates at the course hotel on a half-board basis. An example of the special STARFISH accommodation rates, single ensuite room - bed, breakfast and 3 course evening meal - £85.00 per night inclusive of VAT at the Burlington Hotel, Eastbourne.

The Burlington Hotel is situated on the Eastbourne seafront post code BN21 3YN.

Car Parking at the hotel Car Park or the nearby NCP park

Nearest Airport: London Gatwick (rail service to Eastbourne).
Nearest British Rail Station: Eastbourne, (trains from London Victoria Station) 10-minute walk to the hotel
Nearest Bus/Coach stations: Eastbourne.

Q - Am I right for the STARFISH course?

A - If YOU want to control your stammer, if YOU have the determination to succeed and YOU want to be treated as an individual, and YOU are willing to follow simple instructions - then the answer is Yes. But it must be YOU that wants to control your stammer, not because someone else wants you to.

Q - Why should this work for me, when other therapy didn't?

A - We believe that because you are treated as an individual on The STARFISH Project then you have the best chance to succeed in your personal recovery from stammering. Whilst everyone on a STARFISH course receives the same full training, we are able to concentrate on any important points that you individually need. This can only be achieved because of the small numbers of people on a STARFISH Project course and the dedicated one-to-one training you will receive. Your personalised, life time support programme will continue to make The STARFISH Project technique work for you in the long term.

Q - Can I come back on further STARFISH courses?

A - You are welcome to come back on any further courses, FREE OF CHARGE, to assist your recovery. This is an open offer to all students, but we do not insist on this - it's up to each individual. We do not place any pressure or rely on people coming on courses to train new people. However, if you would like to you can help in the training of new students, this will enrich your experience and help in making a difference for other people who stammer.

Q - Is there a waiting list to go on a course?

A - We are running courses regularly throughout the year this enables great flexibility in arranging a course for you. If you need to go on a course at a particular time (e.g. work or school /college holidays) we can usually arrange a place accordingly. BUT DO REMEMBER AS WE ONLY HAVE SMALL NUMBERS ON EACH COURSE THOSE PLACES FILL FAST.

Q - How do I contact The Starfish Project?

A - If you would like to discuss the Project, a course place or just chat about stammering, then please ring us on 01825 872038. We do appreciate that the telephone is a problem for some people who stammer. However, please remember that we speak to more people who stammer, applying for a Starfish course, than people who do not. We are only interested in what you have to say, not how you say it. You can also e.mail anne@starfishproject.co.uk, or apply online via our application form.