Honouring Jacqueline Stokes and 10 years of AVUK

On 27th October Auditory Verbal^UK hosted an event to honour the work of our Founding Director, the late Jacqueline Stokes, and celebrating the 10 years that the charity has been working with deaf children, at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich.

It was a wonderful event with much fun, laughter and some tears as families, children who have graduated from an auditory verbal therapy programme and colleagues remembered Jacqueline’s achievements. It was a wonderful opportunity for the AV^UK team to tell Jacqueline’s incredible story and to reflect on all that the charity has achieved so far. We were thrilled to be able to share news of our recent successful partnership with The October Club and national recognition for our work in charity awards as well as being able to thank all of our loyal supporters who have assisted us along the way.

A number of graduates of our programme read stories, recited poems, sang songs and spoke clearly about their dreams and ambitions. It is wonderful to hear their confidence about their future and of what they will continue to achieve.  As James said very clearly ‘I know that I can do anything’.

Anna-Sophia (4) sang ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman’ from Frozen

James (14) talked about how Auditory Verbal^UK has changed his life

 Nideesh (11) and Beatrice (11)  read two of Jacqueline’s favourite stories – ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’ and ‘Shoe Baby’.

 

 Sisters Sade (15) and Topaz (13) read ‘It couldn’t be done’ by Edgar Albert Guest

Over 30 parents and graduates sent in videos and clips talking about the ways Jacqueline had supported and inspired them and shared memories and photos and footage of their time spent at AV^UK.

We heard from Dr Josephine Marriage from Chear (our partner in the unique Listen and Talk as One initiative) about her experiences working closely with Jacqueline and AV^UK. Other professionals shared their thoughts through video along with AV^UK's trustees past and present.

Janine Roebuck, patron of AV^UK and the world’s only deaf mezzo soprano sang a beautiful rendition of  ‘Love Changes Everything’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber with a few changes to the words while a montage of photos of Jacqueline rolled in the background.

Two of Jacqueline’s daughters, Madeleine and Francesca, came on stage to receive a memento in acknowledgement of the many hours of support the girls have given from school holidays in the early days of the charity to becoming Ambassadors today. Alex joined us at the event via Skype, from her home in Australia.

After the presentation, guests had a bite to eat before DJ Ant tore up the dancefloor with some classic tunes. Parents and children alike had great find making and recording voice cards with messages for Jacqueline.

We are very grateful to everyone who came and took part in the event. You can see more photos from the event here.