Claire Campbell, former Chair of Trustees and passionate advocate of Auditory Verbal UK, sadly passed away on 10 November 2022 following a long and brave battle with cancer.

As the mother of three children, two of whom are profoundly deaf and who learnt to listen and talk at AVUK, Claire was a dedicated supporter of the charity and a source of inspiration to many families across the country.

Claire was a selfless friend and colleague who helped so many people, many of whom she never met, but reached with her kindness and compassion. Alice’s Ears, a beautifully honest and open blog Claire created with her husband Chris, recorded their family’s journey with Auditory Verbal therapy. The blog became an important resource for many parents of deaf children with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder.

Drawing on her own experience of AVUK’s family programme, Claire was dedicated to helping other families have the same opportunity to access the specialist early intervention therapy her children benefited from.

Becoming a trustee in 2011, Claire went on to be Chair of the Board in 2013, where she championed the development of the family bursary scheme to increase access to Auditory Verbal therapy. Claire led the Board during a time of significant growth for the charity following the October Club partnership in 2014 which enabled it to expand its professional training programme, open a new centre in Bermondsey, London, and launch its first five-year strategy. After stepping down as Chair in 2020, Claire remained passionate and continued to give a huge amount of time and energy to AVUK as a member of the Advisory Panel.

AVUK is very grateful that Claire has asked for donations to go to AVUK in her memory. A JustGiving page has been set up by her family. This is yet another example of Claire’s unwavering dedication to raise expectations and outcomes for deaf children. Anyone who would like to share a message or memory of Claire are invited to email [email protected] where they will be collected and shared with Claire’s family.

Claire touched the lives of so many and has left a lasting legacy that will benefit deaf children and their families for years to come. Thank you Claire.  

Claire Campbell, 1974 - 2022