Our impact Our awards Meet the Finalists in the Claire Campbell Outstanding Achievement Awards Claire was dedicated to supporting deaf children to have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers. She was a committed ambassador of Auditory Verbal UK, as its Chair of Trustees from 2013 to 2020, and she continued to support the charity until she sadly passed away in November 2022. As the mother of three children, two of whom are profoundly deaf and learnt to listen and talk at AVUK, Claire was, and remains, a source of inspiration to many families across the UK and internationally. In memory of the dedication and compassionate support Claire gave to others - together with her family - these awards recognise the outstanding achievements of deaf children and young people and the adults who have gone above and beyond to support them. Chris Campbell, Claire’s Husband, said: “As a family we couldn’t think of a better way of honouring Claire and it has been wonderful to read all the entries that have come in. They have all demonstrated truly outstanding achievements both proving what deaf children and young people can achieve as well as adults who are going above and beyond to support. “It is clear that Claire’s passion and legacy to ensure all deaf children can achieve their potential, lives in on so many wonderful individuals and teams.” Finalists for the Children and Young Person Outstanding Achievement Award This award recognises a deaf child or young person with hearing loss who, like Claire, has gone above and beyond to demonstrate that deaf children can achieve their potential. James Galt was born profoundly deaf and received his cochlear implants aged eight. James’ love of football has taken him from joining a deaf football team age 11, after not fitting into other teams, to now, where he is head coach of Carlisle City Deaf FC. James has faced many challenges but consistently looked at other ways to progress and achieve his dreams. He has supported many other deaf players with British Sign Language interpretation, mentoring and volunteering at disability and special education needs football sessions. Nominated by: parent Katie Jane Laffey was born profoundly deaf and wears one cochlear implant and one hearing aid. She has excelled in sport playing hockey, netball and rounders at a high level as well as sharing her story to support and inform teachers about hearing loss. Katie has also achieved great things during her education despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while at university. She has embraced university life playing many sports and also raising money for charity, including a virtual return English Channel Swim. After graduating this summer from Bath University Katie has secured a job with Shropshire County Council. Nominated by: parent Lauren Press was born profoundly deaf and received her cochlear implants as a baby. Described a “really sociable and with a lovely personality” she has a great passion for educating others about deafness as well as a having a drive and motivation dedicated to helping others understand deafness and to improve outcomes for all deaf children. Currently studying English Language A Level she has found the module on language acquisition fascinating and made comparisons with her own language acquisitions as a deaf chid learning to listen and speak, and spoken about this with peers and teachers. She has a great attitude to learning and has developed an awareness of what works for her and how she learns best. She works tirelessly to advocate for both herself and others and is mentor to younger deaf children. As well as leading fundraising activities at school Lauren has also spoken at a number of high-profile events highlighting what deaf young people can achieve including to audiences of MPs and the Department for Education. Lauren has never allowed her deafness to hold her back and is determined that other deaf young people should be supported to achieve their potential. Nominated by: teacher Idrees Juneja (7) was diagnosed as profoundly deaf at birth and received bilateral cochlear implants. He has made excellent progress with his listening and spoken language development. In 2020, Idrees’ left cochlear implant failed which meant that he had to have a second cochlear implant surgery. Within two years of this surgery, his cochlear implant on the other side began to fail. He has not yet had this replaced and has significant difficulty understanding speech with his processor on this side. Despite this set back he continues to thrive, achieving 100% marks in all his key stage 2 national curriculum SATS: Maths arithmetic, reasoning, English, reading and writing. He was the only child in his year to do so. Nominated by: professional Finalists for the Adult Outstanding Achievement Award This award recognises an adult, such as a professional, teacher, parent or caregiver, who, like Claire, has gone above and beyond to support a deaf child or children to achieve their potential and/or challenge the perceptions of what deaf children can achieve. Tricia Kemp set up CICS (Cochlear Implanted Childrens Support Group) in 1993 to support families and children with cochlear implants around the UK with support, advice and information. Now a regional co-ordinator for the charity she does do much more than this and was nominated for regularly going above and beyond to ensure families get the best support for their children and ensuring the CICS network continues to be an invaluable source of support for families with deaf children. Tricia champions the achievements of children with cochlear implants inspiring others to reach their potential. Nominated by: parent of deaf child Kirsty Chapman is a Speech and Language Therapist, specialised in supporting deaf children, who has been nominated for being a consistent support to families and children through many transitions. She goes above and beyond in accommodating preferences and treats each child as an individual. She researches new and different ways to help deaf children achieve and offers options and help to families on how they can support their child. Kirsty’s dedication and commitment to getting the very best out of every child is described as “awe-inspiring”! Nominated by: parents of deaf child St George’s Hospital Auditory Implant Service , Tooting, South London, have been nominated for being instrumental in making a lasting and significant change to so many deaf children and young people. Together they have directly supported deaf babies and children , challenged expectations and gone above and beyond with their care and kindness. The team are always smiling, supportive and dedicated in often difficult and uncertain circumstances. The nomination says: “As a nominated team, the St George’s Hospital Auditory Implant Service and individual members named deserve to be recognised. We applaud each and every one of them for going above and beyond in positively impacting, changing and continuing to support so many children and young people throughout their hearing journeys. Our son is testament to that, and they have had an enormous impact on him throughout his entire hearing journey.” Special mentions for: Mr. David Selvadurai MD FRCS, Service Director at St George’s Hospital, - was noted as having has positively impacted countless young lives making decisions based on the individual and what is best for them. Mr. Dhaval Mehta, an Advanced Audiologist, at St George’s Hospital was noted for being a key, stable and dedicated audiologist. His knowledge, trouble shooting skills and services to the Auditory Implant Services have been profound. Always smiling, gentle in manner and with many years supporting a raft of children and young people at St. George’s. Miss Tash Gerrow, Service co-ordinator, at St George’s Hospital, was noted as being an integral but often forgotten part of the team. Tash is the first port of call at the other end of the telephone. Always professional and doing her very best under difficult conditions. Nominated by: parent of deaf child Joint finalists for the Children and Young Person and Adult Outstanding Achievement Award Jack and Michelle Ward – Jack has sensorineural hearing loss caused by the mutated gene Connexin 26. Initially using hearing aids, Jack was working hard at school and progressing well. The Covid pandemic greatly affected the family and discussions around cochlear implant surgery for Jack. For many appointments Mum Michelle had to attend alone. Jack’s hearing continued to deteriorate and his hearing aids were not offering the support he needed. And in April 2023 Jack received his bilateral cochlear implants. Michelle and Jack, together with Dad Callum, have continued to tackle the obstacles often facing deaf children and their families, and negotiate how to get the best support for their son. Nominated by: parent The winners will be announced at our Sounds of Success event the end of November and on social media. Manage Cookie Preferences