Speaking for themselves

Going shopping or grabbing a bite to eat are simple tasks for most of us. For children and young people with communication difficulties, even these everyday tasks can be hugely challenging.

KCHFT’s Kent and Medway Communication and Assisted Technology Service (KMCAT) challenged families with a child who uses Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA) to join them at an event at the Ashford Designer Outlet to try out their devices.

Therapy Assistant Practitioner Natalie Prior who ran the event said: “Families of VOCA users often tell us they don’t feel confident about their child using their device with members of the public but we’re delighted to say all this changed after our special event.

"All our families had a great day completing a scavenger hunt and selfie challenge with help from members of the public and outlet staff and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined in with the fun."

Parents and carers told us how nice it was to meet other VOCA users, share their experiences and show communication devices off to people who may never have seen one before.

One parent told us: "I think it's very useful as an eye-opener to members of the public who have never seen communication devices in use.

"It shows our children and young people do have a voice and do have cognitive ability, even though they may be non-verbal." She added.

The young people who took on the challenge are already excited about next year's event. One told us: "I want to do it again. When is the next one? It was fun."

Security guard Ashley really summed up the mood of the day. He said: "You give these kids a voice…how beautiful is that?”

We would also like to say a huge thank you to Pizza Express for their kind donation of food on the day and the businesses that donated prizes to our free draw: The Big Cat Sanctuary, Brunch and Brew, The Kenward Trust and The Ashford Designer Outlet.