Family Programme Portal

Welcome to the
Family Programme Portal 💙

We are so pleased to have you as a part of the family programme at Auditory Verbal UK and are delighted to be supporting both you and your child through the journey of Auditory Verbal therapy.

Here you can find out how we support families on our programme, including events and courses specifically for parents and caregivers, support, and contact options.

If you need language assistance, such as translation, please contact [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

Supporting your family

Parental participation, guidance and coaching are core principles of Auditory Verbal therapy. Our family programme is designed to enable parents and caregivers to become the experts in developing their child's listening and spoken language. of their child’s listening and spoken language development. Some families find that Auditory Verbal therapy is a journey which may raise questions along the way and can find it helpful to have access to support – and we’re here to help!

Family Programme Manager – Amy Spicer

Amy is our dedicated Family Programme Manager who can provide holistic support and advice, on a one-to-one basis. This can be on accessing financial support or relevant courses, as well as enabling you to meet other families on the programme or those with older children who can share their experiences. Amy is your first point of contact when you begin your Auditory Verbal therapy programme with us and will be supporting you throughout your time with us.

Amy’s working days are Monday - Thursday.

Email: [email protected]

Family Support Officer – Sabrina Malik

As a Family Support Officer at AVUK, Sabrina supports families throughout their journey with the organisation. She helps parents access the information, guidance, and practical support they need so that children can fully benefit from the opportunities available through the programme.

Sabrina works closely with families to answer questions, assist with applications and bursaries, and help them navigate any challenges that arise. She also connects families with useful resources and maintains regular communication so that parents feel informed, welcomed, and supported within the AVUK community.

As a parent raising a deaf child and having gone through the AVUK programme with her own family, Sabrina brings personal insight and empathy to the role. This lived experience helps her better understand the challenges families may face and enables her to offer support that is both practical and compassionate.

Her aim is to ensure that every family feels confident, valued, and well supported while their child is part of the AVUK programme.

Sabrina works Monday - Friday mornings.

Email: [email protected]

Pathway of Support

At Auditory Verbal UK, our priority for all parents, caregivers and children is ensuring there is consistent, well-informed support when enrolling in our Auditory Verbal therapy family programme. This Pathway of Support shows what you can expect from your journey with us on the programme.

Meet some of our Family Programme graduates

Shivaay's Story

Shivaay joined our family programme when he was just six months old, after being diagnosed with moderate hearing loss in one ear and severe loss in the other. His family had relocated from Kenya to the UK to ensure he could access the support he needed, and they began Auditory Verbal therapy with the help of an AVUK bursary. Over the years, Shivaay has grown in confidence, learned to love his “super ears,” and developed strong spoken language skills. He graduated from the programme at four years old with spoken language levels above his age, and he is now thriving at school, enjoying reading, numbers, singing, and even Tai Kwando. His mum, Simi—now an AVUK Ambassador—says Auditory Verbal therapy has made an enormous difference to their lives and to Shivaay’s future.

Noli’s story

Noli was diagnosed as deaf just before she turned 2, and joined our programme of Auditory Verbal therapy before she received her cochlear implants. The structured approach at AVUK meant the family had a clear path for Noli and were able to practice what they learnt in between sessions. When she was 2 and a half, her language skills were equivalent to a three-year-old. Noli attended mainstream school and excelled in her music, and now attends Durham University.

What We Offer

Events

The Nurturing Programme

We have teamed up with emotional health charity, The Centre for Emotional Health, to offer a 10-week fully funded online course that explores how we can get the best out of family life and emphasises the importance of parental wellbeing. This course is funded by NDCS and The National Lottery fund. We run this course two-three times a year, and we will let you know when the next course will start via our private Family Facebook group or through our events page.

Our next Nurturing Programme is due to start on 29 April 2026 - book your place.

Coffee and play mornings

Our next coffee and play morning for families will be taking place online on Friday 17 April from 10.30am.

We will also be running coffee and play mornings for families of deaf children at the Kings Fund on 15 May, 19 June and 17 July. Please get in touch with our Family Support Officer, [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Ongoing Support

Parent Only Sessions

One of your sessions each year will be a parent-only session where you, our Senior Auditory Verbal therapist and Clinical Lead, and our Family Programme Manager, can reflect on your child’s progress and strengths, consider goals for the coming months, and discuss anything else you wish to raise concerning your child and your involvement with our programme. Our Family Programme Manager will be in touch with you to arrange the session.

Peer to Peer support and parent buddies

We have a parent-led family support group and AVUK Family Ambassadors who can give a personal insight into our family programme and Auditory Verbal therapy and support along the journey. Please get in touch with our Family Support team if you would like to learn more.

Family Facebook & WhatsApp groups

Access to a private online parent group, where parents share experiences, ask for advice and celebrate achievements together. If you would like to join the WhatsApp group, please get in touch with our Family Support team.

Technology rental

If you require additional technology or data to access Auditory Verbal therapy online via tele practice, and cannot purchase the necessary equipment, please contact our Family Support team to find out more.

AVUK Newsletter

We encourage all families to sign up to our regular newsletter. This provides families and supporters with the latest information on services, events and opportunities. You can sign up here.  

Activities Ideas page

We have built a great resource hub for you and your child. It includes language tips for helping you to make the most of the language involved in play. They can be used by parents, carers other family members at home.

Graduation & post-programme support

AVUK continue to support families and children once they finish their programme through a range of events for all ages. This includes adhoc appointments and opportunities to attend family events, conferences and to take part in sharing your experiences with other families and children.