Shine a light! Nominate someone you know who is making a difference to children's lives

The Hello campaign; national year of communication is inviting you to take part in the ‘Shine a Light’ 2011 Hello campaign awards for developing children and young people’s communication, launched today by The Communication Trust and Pearson Assessment.
Set to become the flagship event of the Hello campaign, these awards (www.helloawards.co.uk) will ‘shine a light’ on the excellent work and achievement by the children’s workforce in developing the communication skills of the children and young people they work with from birth to teenagers. These best practice exemplars will be shared with practitioners across the country to incentivise improved practice in 2011 and beyond.  


Wendy Lee, Professional Director for The Communication Trust, says; “The Shine a Light 2011 Hello campaign awards are unique; they are the first and only national awards scheme to focus on children and young people’s communication. At the heart of the Hello campaign is the fantastic work that takes place day to day by individuals, team and settings across the UK and these awards epitomise just this.  “By shining a light on the inspiring work that is taking place to support all children’s communication and those communication difficulties, we can ensure individuals and teams get deservedly recognised. We also hope to enthuse and spur on others who through the national year of communication are starting to tackle this subject head on in a range of ways – from small grassroots projects through to larger area‐wide initiatives. If you know a person or setting who has gone the extra mile to support communication development, then this may be their time to shine.


Twelve awards are available including three ‘Communication Friendly’ awards, three ‘Team of the Year’ awards, an award for ‘Communication Strategy’ and ‘Commissioning’ as well as the ‘Hello Young Person of the Year Award’. The winners will be celebrated at the ‘Shine a Light’ 2011 Hello campaign awards ceremony taking place at Pearson’s Head Office in London from 3‐6pm on Wednesday 23 November.Simone Gilson, Health and Education Marketing Specialist for Pearson Assessment, says; “Pearson Assessment are delighted to be sponsoring the ‘Shine a Light’ 2011 Hello campaign awards as well as the wider campaign to make children and young people’s communication development a national priority.  "Recognition of excellent and inspiring work is crucial. By celebrating it, we can share the
learning’s with others, use the best practice to shape our future assessments so that they truly meet the needs of those with SLCN, and most importantly build upon this as part of the legacy of the national year of communication. We encourage you to apply no matter what size and scale you are working at. If you think your work is special and making a tangible difference that you can evidence, we want to hear from you.”


Applications are encouraged from a wide range of settings, professionals and individuals – those who work with children and young people, those responsible for planning children’s services as well as parents and young people.  Log onto www.helloawards.co.uk where you can easily complete an application form and tell us how your work meets the ‘qualities’ we have identified. Applications will be considered by a judging panel including communication Champion, Jean Gross.