The hunt is on for inspiring people like London teenager Lauren Press and St George’s Hospital Auditory Implant Service whose outstanding achievements supporting deaf children and young people were recognised with a national award.
Lauren, from North London and the St George’s team, based in Tooting, were the first ever winners of the Claire Campbell Outstanding Achievement Awards launched in 2023 in memory of inspirational mum and dedicated supporter of improving opportunities for deaf children
After the success of the first awards, applications are now open for the 2024 awards to celebrate what deaf children and young people can achieve, and the adults that support them.
Claire Campbell was a passionate advocate for deaf children having the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers. She was a committed volunteer and ambassador of charity Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) – whose aim is for all deaf children to have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers – as its Chair of Trustees from 2013 to 2020, and right up until her death in November 2022.
AVUK, which supported Claire’s two deaf children to learn to listen and speak, is delighted to again be launching the now annual award in her name and memory reflecting her dedication, compassion and support.
At the launch of the 2024 awards this month, Claire’s husband Chris said: “The 2023 awards were such a perfect way to honour Claire and as a family we were overwhelmed by all the entries which demonstrated truly outstanding achievements both proving what deaf children and young people can achieve as well as adults who are going above and beyond to support.
“It is clear that Claire’s passion and legacy to ensure all deaf children can achieve their potential lives in on so many wonderful individuals and teams. All of the entries were inspirational in the work they do, proving over and over again that being deaf does not have to be a barrier to any aspiration. I can’t wait to see even more amazing entries for 2024 and I know that choosing the winners is going to be as tough a job as it was last year.”
Children and Young Person Outstanding Achievement Award 2023 winner: Lauren was diagnosed as profoundly deaf soon after she was born and wears cochlear implants. She was supported to learn to listen and speak with Auditory Verbal therapy and this summer sat three A Levels.
Nominated for the award by her school for her “drive and motivation and dedication to helping others understand deafness and to help improve outcomes for all deaf children.” Lauren won the award proving what deaf children can achieve alongside backing calls for more early support for deaf children to achieve their potential. Lauren has spoken at both the House of Commons in Westminster and London City Hall highlighting the importance of early, effective support for deaf children to develop language and communication. She has also spoken about deafness at school assemblies and supported fundraising efforts.
Adult Outstanding Achievement Award 2023 winners: St George’s Hospital Auditory Implant Service in Tooting, South London, were nominated by the family of a deaf teenager who highlighted the work of David Selvadurai, Dhaval Mehta and Tash Gerrow. The nomination said: “We applaud each and every one of them for going above and beyond in positively impacting, changing and continuing to support so many children and young people throughout their hearing journeys. Our son is testament to that, and they have had an enormous impact on him throughout his entire hearing journey.”
Award-winning charity AVUK works with the families of deaf children who want their child to learn to listen and talk. Its evidence-based, family-centered Auditory Verbal therapy programme helps deaf children process sound they receive from their hearing technology, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, and supports them to develop language so they can learn to talk like their hearing friends.
Claire was dedicated to helping other families have the same opportunity to access the specialist early support her children benefited from.
Auditory Verbal UK Chief Executive, Anita Grover, said: “It was inspiring to read all of the entries we received last year and we are delighted to be launching the award for the second year andmaking it an annual event.
“These awards are a fitting and lasting tribute to Claire who was unwavering in her support for deaf children and their families, and the work of AVUK. She helped so many people, many of whom she had never met, but reached with her kindness and compassion. She shared her own family’s experience of getting support and always championed AVUK’s vision that all deaf children should have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers.”
Entries are open now until September 20th, 2024.
Children and Young Person Outstanding Achievement Award
This award will recognise a deaf child or young person with hearing loss who, like Claire, has gone above and beyond to demonstrate that deaf children can achieve their potential.
Nominations must include specific obstacles the child has faced and what they have achieved. Entrants cannot nominate themselves, but can be made by anyone else, including:
Deaf child or family they have worked with
Fellow professional
Fellow parent or caregiver
Adult Outstanding Achievement Award
This award will recognise an adult, such as a professional, teacher, parent or caregiver, who, like Claire, has gone above and beyond to support a deaf child or children to achieve their potential and/or challenge the perceptions of what deaf children can achieve.
Nominations must include details of the support that has been provided and examples of how the nominee has gone above and beyond to support deaf children and young people to achieve their potential. Entrants cannot nominate themselves, but can be made by anyone else, including:
Deaf child or family they have worked with
Fellow professional
Fellow parent or caregiver
