Hello is the national year of communication – a campaign to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills.
The campaign is run by The Communication Trust, a coalition of over 35 leading voluntary sector organisations; in partnership with Jean Gross, the Government’s Communication Champion.
Hello aims to make communication for all children and young people a priority in homes and schools across the UK so that they can live life to the full. The campaign is backed by the Department for Education and supported by BT.
The national year was originally proposed by John Bercow MP – now Speaker of the House of Commons – in his 2008
Review of Services for Children and Young People (0-19) with speech, language and communication needs. The review identified a
“grossly inadequate recognition across society of the importance of communication development.”
In the 21st century, the ability to communicate – to say what you want to say and to understand what other people are saying - is fundamental. Speech, language and communication underpins everything we do, though these skills are often taken for granted.
Babbling babies do not become talkative toddlers by chance. Communication is a skill that we learn and develop and is something we can all improve. But for some children, their daily struggle to communicate means they are shut out of everyday life.
In the UK today, over 1 million children and young people have some form of speech, language and communication need. This can affect them severely and for life. In areas of poverty, over 50% of children start school with delayed language skills. This puts them at a huge disadvantage to their peers as they struggle to learn and make friends.
A child with a speech, language and communication need may have speech that is difficult to understand. They might struggle to say words or sentences or not understand words that are being used. They may have difficulties knowing how to talk and listen to others in a conversation or simply have a limited vocabulary.
Hello seeks to support you wherever you are – in your school, nursery, health centre, parent and baby group or local authority – to help improve the communication skills of children and young people in your area so that they can fulfil their potential.
In Blackpool we will be using the national year of communication to prompt tangible improvements for children, young people and families affected by speech, language and communication needs. This will include more support for parents and carers, earlier identification of difficulties as well as earlier and more appropriate referral to specialist support. There will be lots of activities taking place across Blackpool. If you would like to discuss your child or have some concerns re their speech and communication skills please contact your local Children’s Centre.
Visit www.hello.org.uk to get involved and sign up for regular updates