Afasic is involved in a number of campaigns to improve speech and language provision for children and young people and to highlight the issues around speech, language and communication needs. Afasic works with other voluntary organisations, national and local government, researchers and practitioners, parents, children and young people themselves to identify, disseminate information about and encourage the implementation of good practice in supporting children and young people with speech and language impairments.

Hello Campaign – National Year of Speech, Language and Communication
2011 was designated the “National Year of Speech, Language & Communication”. This offered a massive opportunity for Afasic to raise the profile of speech, language and communication disabilities and also much-needed funds.

The aim of the year was to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills. The campaign was being run by The Communication Trust, a coalition of over 35 communication charities (of which Afasic is a founding member); in partnership with Jean Gross, the Government’s Communication Champion.

Afasic Chief  Executive, Linda Lascelles,  said “This special year gives Afasic a one-off opportunity to raise awareness of this hidden disability and the impact that it can have on those affected. Afasic will work as hard as it can to make the most of this opportunity and to reach as wide an audience as possible to ensure that children, young people and their families get the support they need.”

Support for the Hello campaign from political figures and celebrities:

Good communication is the first step to confidence, friendship and learning – David Cameron, PM

If you can’t communicate it is like being imprisoned. We need to unlock the prison of SLCN and set children free – Elizabeth McGovern, actress

Read more about the campaign:

  National Year of Communication - Hello Campaign (394.5 KiB, 513 hits)

  Hello Campaign - Press Release (551.5 KiB, 279 hits)

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Better Communication
Better Communication is the Government action plan published in December 2008. It follows the recommendations of The Bercow Review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. Since the publication of the report there has been various debates, articles and statements referring to it.

  Better Communication (575.3 KiB, 739 hits)

The independent cross government review, led by John Bercow, MP, himself the parent of a child with a speech and language impairment, highlights the significant numbers of children and young people with SLCN and how this radically affects their life chances.

  Afasic press release (26.5 KiB, 303 hits)

  Bercow Review (1,019.7 KiB, 4,501 hits)

  Bercow Review Summary (360.3 KiB, 4,302 hits)

  Afasic position statement (20.0 KiB, 347 hits)

Government response press release
Parliamentary debate – 21 July