Voice Banking:

Preserving ‘You’

Ataxia UK offers funding for voice banking through SpeakUnique. This service allows people with ataxia to create a personalised synthetic voice that can be used on a communication device if their speech becomes harder to understand.

Depending on your needs, there are three options:

• Voice Build – for people whose speech is unaffected now but may change in future.
• Voice Repair – for those already noticing changes such as slurring or breathiness.
• Voice Design – for people who can no longer speak clearly, using voice donors or old recordings to create a new voice that feels like your own.

A life-changing experience

“It has been a life-changing experience not being able to speak as I developed what is thought to be SCA 27B—rare, like me! I’ll be able to talk again, and argue with David—which I’d given up on because it was just too much effort.”

— Laura, Voice Design user

How the SpeakUnique services work

The process is flexible and can be done at your own pace. Once your voice is ready and approved by a speech therapist, we can cover the cost. If you don’t have access to a therapist, please contact our Helpline and we’ll support you through the process.

Voice Build

A synthetic replica of your own voice for use on your communication device. Ideal if your ataxia is likely to impact speech in future but you’ve not yet had significant symptoms.
Click here for the full Voice Build guide.  

Voice Repair

For people who’ve already noticed changes (e.g. slurring, breathiness, difficulty articulating). Voice Repair restores clarity in your synthetic voice.
Click here for the full Voice Repair Guide. 

Voice Design

For people with no intelligible speech. Design a new synthetic voice based on characteristics you choose (regional accent, age, gender). SpeakUnique may use two nominated “voice donors” or old recordings of your own voice to create this.
Click here for the full Voice Design Guide. 

Recording Your Voice 

• Voice Build / Voice Repair: Create a SpeakUnique account and record between 150–400 sentences. You can split this across multiple sessions if you get tired. You’ll need a PC or laptop with an external microphone.

• Voice Design: SpeakUnique ideally asks you to nominate two voice donors with voices similar to how you’d like to sound. In some cases, old recordings of your own voice can be used.

Once recording is complete, SpeakUnique will create up to five versions of your synthetic voice for you to try and choose from. There’s no rush—SpeakUnique stores your voice free of charge until you’re ready to download it.

Your synthetic voice can be used on Apple, Android, or Windows devices.

Paying for the Service

Once a speech therapist confirms you’re ready to use your synthetic voice, you can apply for Ataxia UK funding via your SpeakUnique account. If you don’t have a speech therapist, contact the Ataxia UK Helpline and we’ll help you through the process.

Step-by-step

1. Visit the SpeakUnique website: https://www.speakunique.co.uk/
2. Decide which service is right for you: Voice Build, Voice Repair or Voice Design (you can discuss this with your speech therapist).
3. Create a SpeakUnique account.
4. Record your voice (Voice Build/Repair) or contact SpeakUnique to discuss Voice Design.
5. Listen to your synthetic voice options and choose your favourite.
6. Ask your speech therapist to confirm you’re ready to use your synthetic voice.
7. Apply for Ataxia UK funding via your SpeakUnique account.
8. Download your synthetic voice to your chosen communication device.

Questions? Browse SpeakUnique’s FAQs, or contact the Ataxia UK Helpline on 0800 995 6037 or help@ataxia.org.uk.

The Gift of Speech

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Ataxia UK has been able to run the speech therapy course and provide funded voice banking with SpeakUnique since 2022. These services have already made a real difference to people living with ataxia—helping them preserve their voices, practise new skills, and regain confidence in daily conversations.

We’re delighted that new fundraising has secured the continuation of the Gift of Speech for at least the next two years. But to ensure we can keep offering these vital services into the future, we still need your support.

Make a donation to Ataxia UK.