Volunteers are an essential part of the Auditory Verbal UK family and vital to help achieve our mission to ensure all deaf babies and children have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers.

To celebrate the 41^st year of Volunteers Week (2^nd to 8^th June), we shine a spotlight on just four of our fantastic volunteers who are committed to contributing their time and skills to support deaf babies and children across the UK.

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Paul Clifford – AVUK Trustee and Treasurer

Paul joined the AVUK Trustee Board as Treasurer in July 2016 after being introduced by a friend and impressed by how Auditory Verbal therapy supports deaf children to learn to listen and speak. He brought wide experience to the role including working as a company director in publishing and promoting fairtrade at Oxfam.

As he steps down in July this year, having served the maximum term permitted, Paul explained: “Profoundly deaf children currently face disadvantage throughout life, in education and employment. Most unfairly, expectations of them are well below their capacities. But with high quality technology and early and effective support, this disadvantage can be overcome and they can thrive.

“During my time with AVUK I have seen children grow to young adulthood more than matching their hearing peers in their achievements, doing outstandingly well at school and going on to wonderful careers. Their potential, far from nullified, is being fulfilled. That’s what Auditory Verbal therapy can do. And it’s achieved by the simple realisation that the best support for profoundly deaf children to develop language and communication comes from their own families. And with coaching to equip them with the tools to do this in everyday routines and life, outcomes are transformed.

“As a trustee I have been a minor partner with inspiring, highly skilled, utterly committed and hard-working staff, jointly dedicated to rid society of one of its unthinking injustices: the belief that the profoundly deaf child cannot achieve. Oh yes, they can with early and effective support, like that provided by AVUK.”

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Katherine Bartrop – AVUK Trustee

Katherine became a trustee for AVUK in summer 2022 using her fundraising and leadership background to help a charity which is really close to her heart.

Katherine’s second son, Robin, was diagnosed as profoundly deaf as a baby and was fitted with hearing aids at five weeks old. They found out about AVUK by chance after a segment about the charity on BBC News and after researching the benefits of Auditory Verbal therapy to develop listening and spoken language, signed up to the programme when Robin was eight months old, before he had his cochlear implants at 12 months.

Katherine explained: “I feel so lucky that we found AVUK and would love for every family to be able to easily access the same support if they choose to. As a trustee for the last three years, I have enjoyed helping to drive forward their fundraising and strategy. It has been particularly special representing AVUK at events and to talk about Robin’s amazing progress, including at the Houses of Parliament.

“I love being part of this ambitious and essential charity and am passionate about every deaf child having the opportunity and choice to access Auditory Verbal therapy as Robin has.”

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Emma Hassenein – Research Volunteer

Emma joined Auditory Verbal UK on a six-month posting in October 2023 from the Civil Service Fast stream programme as a project manager. She worked with the communications and engagement team in particularly supporting work with UK Governments and healthcare professionals to improve access to Auditory Verbal therapy for more deaf children.

Inspired by the work of AVUK to challenge perceptions of what deaf children can achieve and ensure deaf babies and children have the same opportunities as their hearing peers Emma has continued to support the charity through volunteering since she returned to the civil service.

She completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2024 in 1 hour 50 minutes raising much needed funds to ensure cost isn’t barrier for families with deaf babies and children who want to them to learn to listen and speak through an Auditory Verbal therapy programme.

Emma has also been supporting the research team throughout the year, including research into the effectiveness of Auditory Verbal therapy families who want their deaf child to learn to listen and speak.

She said: “Meeting so many amazing young deaf children and their families proving what is possible with early and effective support like Auditory Verbal therapy made me want to continue supporting the charity even after my six months with them. It really is a very special place and changes the lives of deaf children and their families. I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to carry on helping towards the mission to ensure all deaf children can get an equal start in life.” 

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Elizabeth Tyszkiewicz, Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist and Clinical Volunteer 

Elizabeth has been involved with AVUK since her collaboration with Jacqueline Stokes in founding the charity in 2003. At that time, there were the only two certified Auditory Verbal Therapists living and working in the UK, in contrast with the situation today. There are currently 35 qualified Auditory Verbal therapists across the UK, 11 of whom work at AVUK.

She now supports AVUK volunteering her clinical skills and experience through mentoring, consultation, training, and occasional therapist back-up when a team member is absent.

Elizabeth has extensive experience of working in NHS cochlear implant programmes for children and has always focused on supporting the listening and speaking potential of children who use hearing devices. She has a particular interest in training and mentoring, and currently offers this on behalf of AVUK to professionals undertaking the Advanced Course in Auditory Verbal therapy based in France and Belgium. For those who prefer to work in French Elizabeth uses her linguistic skills as a fluent French speaker.

She said: “The clinical team at AVUK comprises an exceptional group of skilled, dedicated, creative and hardworking individuals, and it is both a pleasure and a privilege to have the opportunity to maintain my relationship with them.” 

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Auditory Verbal UK has a range of volunteering opportunities from fundraising activities including taking part in challenges and being part of our cheer squads to our Voluntary Advisory Panel. For more information visit our website or speak to us about what skills and time you may be able to provide to create a sound future for deaf children.