Voice Banking for MND and ALS
in the UK: Your Options in 2026
If you or someone you love has received a diagnosis of MND, ALS, or motor neurone disease, one of the most important things you can do in the early weeks is start capturing your voice. This guide covers your options in the UK — and why there is more to preserve than just your synthetic voice.
What is voice banking?
Voice banking is the process of recording your voice extensively so that it can be used to create a synthetic speech system — a computer that speaks in your voice, which you can use with an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device as MND progresses.
The most well-known tools for synthetic voice banking in the UK include ModelTalker, VocaliD, and SpeakUnique (which has worked with the MND Association). These tools are designed to create a synthetic voice for communication.
But this guide is also about something different: capturing your real voice — your stories, your humour, your memories — for your family. These are two separate but complementary goals, and both matter.
The two types of voice capture
Synthetic voice banking
Designed for AAC communication. Requires recording hundreds or thousands of phonetically balanced sentences. Creates a synthetic voice for use with a speech device.
Tools: ModelTalker, SpeakUnique, VocaliD, Acapela My-own-voice
Personal voice archive
Designed for your family. Captures your real voice telling real stories — your personality, humour, memories, values. Searchable by your family forever.
Tools: Vivencia Voice plan — built specifically for urgency
Most families facing MND benefit from doing both. Start both as soon as possible.
Voice banking tools available in the UK
UK-based, has worked with MND Association. Requires minimum voice hours for best quality. NHS referral sometimes available.
US-based free service. Requires recording ~1,600 sentences. Time-intensive but produces good quality synthetic voice.
US-based voice personalisation service. Creates a unique voice blend. Requires several hours of recording.
European provider. Requires approximately 50 sentences. Faster to complete than ModelTalker.
UK-based. Designed for MND/ALS urgency. Weekly guided prompts capture your stories, personality, and memories in your real voice. Your family can search and listen forever. £29.99/mo.
Learn more →When to start
Both types of voice banking are most effective when voice quality is still strong. For MND, speech is typically affected at some point — but the progression varies greatly between individuals.
At diagnosis or shortly after
Start both synthetic voice banking and a personal archive immediately. You have the most time and the best voice quality.
When speech is still clear
Prioritise synthetic banking for AAC preparation. Capture personal stories in parallel — use short sessions to avoid fatigue.
When speech is beginning to change
Synthetic banking becomes harder — push to complete it. Continue personal archive while voice is still recognisably yours.
After significant voice change
Synthetic banking may need to use existing recordings. Personal archive can still capture your stories via text-to-speech with your existing voice model.
What the Vivencia Voice Plan includes
The Voice plan is designed for people who cannot afford to wait. It differs from our standard Keeper plan in several ways:
- ✓Priority onboarding — we start your sessions immediately, not in a queue
- ✓More frequent prompts — capture as many stories as possible, as quickly as possible
- ✓Family coordination — we support family members in helping facilitate and organise sessions
- ✓20 GB encrypted archive — space for years of recordings
- ✓All the features of the Keeper plan (searchable archive, family access, export)
- ✓Pathway to Presence plan AI twin when your archive is ready
Resources and support
- MND Association UK
mndassociation.org — information, support groups, and resources including voice banking guidance
- Dysarthria Support UK
Support and information for those with speech difficulties from neurological conditions
- NHS Speech and Language Therapy
Your GP or neurologist can refer you to NHS SLT for AAC assessment and voice banking support
- Hospice UK
hospiceuk.org — palliative care resources and family support
Start capturing your voice today
The Vivencia Voice Plan is £29.99/month. UK-based, ICO registered. Priority onboarding within 24 hours. 30-day money-back guarantee. Your archive is never deleted — even if you pause or cancel.
Start your Voice archive →