Presentation of the Schmid-Giovannini Award for Outstanding Auditory-Verbal Therapy to Jacqueline Stokes, 20th June 2002

Back to meet the team: Jacqueline Stokes

June 20 was a very special evening for AV^UK when a gathering of friends, family and colleagues met at the Said Business School in Oxford. The occasion was the presentation of the Schmid-Giovannini Award for Outstanding Auditory-Verbal Therapy, and we were extremely privileged to have Susann Schmid-Giovannini, the founder of the award, with us to present the award in person.

As a backdrop to the award ceremony, Jacqueline explained how auditory-verbal therapy works and showed videotape of a number of children on the programme. Nadia and Maya Kellie-Smith and Vanessa Steffen stole the show as they presented flowers to Susann and Jacqueline. Their highly appropriate and entertaining contributions not only demonstrated the effectiveness of the technology, but also bore testimony to the benefits of auditory-verbal therapy!

Steve Woolgar kindly acted as host for the occasion, even stepping into Jonathan Steffen's shoes when the latter was delayed by traffic. Jonathan, as a parent on the programme, explained how Jacqueline came to be nominated for the award and Susann then told us about the origins of the award before presenting Jacqueline with a magnificent, hand-crafted gold medal in the shape of a cochlea.

The evening also saw the launch of the fund-raising venture for the proposed Auditory-Verbal Centre at Oxford. Jacqueline explained how the current programme is running at capacity, and there is now a waiting list for new families. The problem is exacerbated by the dearth of trained therapists in the UK, and the new centre would not only provide access for a greater number of families, but also provide a base for training Auditory-Verbal Therapists who would work in local communities around the country.

A Board of Directors is currently being established, and charitable status has been applied for, which should be completed in October. Jacqueline encouraged anyone who could help in the setting up of this exciting new venture to make contact in person or via the website, and expressed her thanks to everyone who has been of assistance so far. The evening concluded with a reception, which was an ideal occasion for people to meet one another in the fine surroundings of the Business School.