BLAENAU Gwent MP Nick Smith hosted this year’s Voice Box comedy awards for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Mr Smith acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event, held at Portcullis House, Westminster on April 30.
Since last autumn, more than 5,000 children have taken part in Voice Box – the RCSLT joke-telling competition.
Eighteen made it through to the final with Chippenham schoolgirl Jasmine Wilkins, 11, winning the top prize – taking home an iPad.
Voice Box is an annual competition, organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and partnered by National Association of Head Teachers. It aims to remind people that there are children in every classroom who need support to help them speak and understand what is being said to them.
More than 10% of children and young people have long term speech, language and communication needs which create barriers to communication or learning in everyday life.
This includes 7.6% of children who start school with developmental language disorder and 2.3% who have difficulties associated with another condition, such as autism or hearing impairment.
In December Nick Smith MP received an RCSLT ‘Giving Voice’ award for his work in raising the political profile of the Bercow: Ten Years On report – an independent review of provision for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Mr Smith MP said: “Working to help children and young people with speech, language and communication needs receive the support they and their families need has been an area of interest to me for many years.
“It’s an honour to host the Voice Box awards, which is a great event with a great message.
“Congratulations to all the children involved and a special well-done to the winners.”