Vinay Purwaha, Trustee Expand Vinay is an accomplished programme manager specialist with over a decade of successful experience in delivering global projects on time and within budget. His experience is spread across various industries such as retail, biopharmaceutical, public sector (NHS and local government) and premium fashion retail. He has extensive experience in introducing global customer-centric initiatives, implementing cutting-edge strategies and managing change within large global organisations. Auditory Verbal UK's aspirations to provide children with hearing loss the opportunity to lead enriched lives inspired Vinay to become a Trustee in September 2021. He is passionate about contributing to a worthwhile cause and to support AVUK’s growth plans. He is keen to promote diversity and inclusion in his role, which is in keeping with his well roundedness as an individual. He holds a bachelors in mathematics and he received his MBA from Warwick Business School. Vinay is a service user of AVUK and has two young children. Outside of work, he is also a Member at a local academy school, enjoys road cycling and can sometimes be found binge watching documentaries on Netflix.
Gillian Smith, Trustee Expand Gillian Smith FCIPD Having spent most of her career in the Civil Service, Gillian leads on People and Culture aspects of Accelerated Service Transformation in HMRC. She has led Equality, Diversity and Inclusion functions in several Government Departments and in a voluntary capacity has worked extensively with disadvantaged young people, coaching and supporting them to flourish in life and work. Joining the AVUK Trustee Board in 2022, Gillian brings experience of having held Trustee roles in other organisations and having been a Governor at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She also brings her professional experience in Human Resources, business transformation and public policy making. As a mother of a child who became seriously unwell and needed access to additional services, she has first-hand experience of navigating the health and education systems and understands the challenges for parents faced with similar challenges. She is driven by a determination to help build a fairer world with good access to provision, removing barriers that create disadvantage.
Susan Ronson Expand Susan and her family have supported Auditory Verbal UK for many years since she attended sessions with her young grandson. Susan has generously volunteered time to advise us on our Legacy fundraising drawing on her experience from working with other charities.
Alexandra Woolgar Expand Alexandra is one three daughters of of Auditory Verbal UK's Founding Director, Jacqueline Stokes. Alex has volunteered her time and professional expertise to the charity over the past 10 years. She is co-author of the report ‘An evaluation of Auditory Verbal Therapy using rate of early language development as an outcome measure’. She developed the charity’s first website and has provided support over the past 10 years despite moving to Australia in September 2011. Alex hopes to build further links with sister organisations in Sydney.
Elizabeth Mills OBE Expand Elizabeth Mills runs public affairs consultancy, Éminence Grise, which provides strategic development, research and fundraising support, and event and conference management for a range of voluntary sector organisations. Clients have included The Campaign to End Loneliness, Age UK Oxfordshire, Norwood, DISCS Foundation, Friends of the Elderly, BUPA Care Services, the UK Age Research Forum. She is on the advisory board for apetito, the company providing wholesome meals for older people in receipt of domiciliary or residential care. She was Director, Research into Ageing (the UK national medical research charity) from 1990 until 2001 when she led the charity into full merger with Help the Aged (now Age UK). In 2000, she was awarded the British Society for Research on Ageing “Lord Cohen of Birkenhead Medal for Services to Gerontology” and in 2002 she was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours for services to ageing research. In 2013 she received the award of Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Brighton and in 2016 a similar Honorary Doctorate from the University of Aston. Her voluntary activities include chairing the board of Creative Dementia Arts Network. She is also Honorary Director of Homeshare International, promoting the exchange of accommodation for companionship around the world and is actively involved with the Catholic church of St Aloysius, the Oxford Oratory, where she serves as Parish Registrar. Elizabeth was an early trustee of AVUK from May 2003 until June 2016.
Jim & Becky Shearer - East Staffordshire Expand Jim and Becky's son Louie was diagnosed with a high-frequency moderate sensorineural hearing loss at his newborn hearing screening; he was born prematurely at 34 weeks. He attended Auditory Verbal UK from six months of age and went from strength to strength with each session he attended. He is now thriving at mainstream school. Becky said: "AVUK showed me that having a hearing impaired child did not mean he should be held back in any way. They provided me, as Louie's mother, with strength and positivity and I can honestly say that I do not know what we would have done without AVUK." The Shearer's are based East Staffordshire. If you would like to speak with Jim and Becky about their experience, please email [email protected]
What happens if the AV approach doesn’t work for our family? Expand The Auditory Verbal approach is diagnostic – this means that within each session, the AV therapist will be listening and watching with you as the child’s parent/carer, to evaluate the goals and expectations that were set for you and your child. Therapy goals are then tailored based on the needs of the family and the child. When a family first join the programme, they are advised that there will be a diagnostic period when the questions above can be addressed in detail. If, after this period, the joint conclusions of the family and the therapist is that the approach is enabling the child to listen and learn, then the child’s individualised programme will continue with on-going monitoring and review. If the programme is not working for you and your child, we think with you about the possible reasons and make a plan for what needs to happen next. We actively support families to find the most appropriate communication approach for their child and the best means of supporting your child’s learning at the earliest possible time.
Dhyana Gopal Expand My name is Dhyana, and I was born profoundly deaf. However, I was only diagnosed when I was 5 months old. My parents were scared for my future, and with no prior experience of deafness, they faced many options and difficult decisions. At this challenging time, they met the inspirational late Jacqueline Stokes, founder of AVUK, who gave them hope that using Auditory Verbal therapy, there was an expectation that young deaf children could learn to listen and speak using optimally working hearing technology, and that they could attend mainstream education and become independent participating citizens in mainstream society. On the strength of this vision, our journey with AVUK began, and I graduated when I was 5 years old, with listening and language skills equivalent to that of a 7-year-old. 7 years later when my brother Khush was born profoundly deaf, my parents did not hesitate in contacting AVUK immediately and starting a new journey with him. AVUK has become an integral part of our lives and has impacted me in the most positive way. Because of AVUK I am more confident and independent today. I attended a mainstream grammar school, and after successfully completing my GCSEs, I went on to study the International Baccalaureate, taking English Literature, Biology and Chemistry as my Higher Level subjects. I will now be going to the University of East Anglia to study medicine. I am able to appreciate and enjoy music and dance, and I am a grade 5 violinist. I have also completed the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards, and I have travelled internationally on my own. Most importantly, I believe that AVUK has given me the chance to be an outgoing young adult who can embrace the same opportunities as my hearing peers, and who can believe in my dreams. For this, I will always be grateful to AVUK. I have raised money for AVUK by having Loud Shirt Days at school, as well as successfully nominating AVUK as the main school charity for the whole academic year. I have spoken about deafness and AVUK at general school assemblies and at the Founders Day Service to an audience of over 1000 people. I have also been invited to introduce important speakers at AVUK conventions. In 2017, I took part in a film for the Centre of Social Justice who awarded Auditory Verbal UK the Model of Excellence Award. I have also participated in general promotional videos to create awareness of AVUK. Additionally, in 2021, I was an interviewer on the panel in an event for fundraisers, who attended to find out more about Auditory Verbal Therapy. I also attended an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting with members of Parliament and attendees from interested organisations (e.g. the British Deaf Association, RNID, NDCS), in a meeting to discuss the impact of early support on outcomes for deaf children, and what AVUK strives to achieve. In both these events, I talked about my personal experiences and contributed to the discussions on the role of AVUK. I am proud to be a Young Ambassador, and I would like more deaf children to benefit from the amazing and truly life changing work that AVUK does.
Khush Gopal Expand My name is Khush and like my sister Dhyana, I was born profoundly deaf. I graduated from Auditory Verbal UK when I was 3 years old. I think AVUK is incredible because I can do all the things my hearing friends can do. I attended a mainstream primary school where I took part in all activities including nativity plays and residential trips. I also took on leadership roles such as class vice-captain, prefect and being a member of the school council. I successfully passed my 11+ tests and will be going to a mainstream grammar school – I am really excited for all the different opportunities I will get there! I enjoy sports, especially tennis, cricket, football (I support Manchester United!), and table tennis, and play competitively for both my school and club. My other hobbies include playing the piano, reading, and playing video games, especially FIFA 22! At my school I have spoken in assembly about deafness and raised money for AVUK by having a Loud Shirt Day. I have introduced important speakers at AVUK conventions. In 2017, I took part in a film for the Centre of Social Justice who awarded Auditory Verbal UK the Model of Excellence Award. I have also taken part in general promotional videos to create awareness of AVUK, as well as specific videos for Loud Shirt Day and Christmas. In 2022 I was an AVUK Power of Speech winner, and attended an event at the Houses of Parliament where I got to read out the story I had written: “The Sorcerer’s Ruby”. I am proud to be a Young Ambassador. AVUK has given me amazing listening and speaking skills, and I would like other deaf children to be able to have the same opportunities as me!
Khrystal Adams, Operations Executive Expand Khrystal has joined AVUK’s operations team recently. Supporting the Operations Manager, Khrystal assists with a wide variety of tasks within each part of AVUK. Khrystal works Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, remotely and in our London office. Email: [email protected]
Antonia Aldous, Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand Antonia’s first degree was in Biomedical Science from Kings College London. After a few years in medical research, she retrained as a Speech and Language Therapist at City University in London, qualifying in 2002. She worked at Hounslow Primary Care Trust for 5 years, working with preschool and primary aged children with hearing loss as well as in a language unit. Antonia then moved to the Speech Language and Hearing Centre at Christopher Place in London where she worked as a Highly Specialised Speech and Language Therapist with preschool children with hearing loss and their families. As part of her role, she was the Speech and Language Therapist on the Cochlear Implant Team at St Georges Hospital where she worked for 5 years. It was whilst at St Georges Hospital that she was first introduced to Auditory Verbal Therapy. She was so enthused and excited by it, that she started her training as and Auditory Verbal Therapist at AVUK, qualifying as an LSLS Cert. AVT in 2016. Antonia is passionate about helping children meet their auditory potential, empowering and skilling parents and carers. She believes that therapy should be fun and enjoyable for everybody! Antonia works part-time remotely and at the London Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays from home, 9.45am to 13.45. E mail: [email protected]
Lyndsey Allen, Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand Graduating as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1998, Lyndsey’s spent 25 years learning about child development and supporting families to get better outcomes for their children. She’s worked across public, private, and charitable sectors in both clinical and leadership roles, cementing an international reputation as a speaker and trainer. A LSLS Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist since 2008 and PRINCE 2 qualified project manager, she has a distinctive skill set of clinical and business skills. She’s currently working across 3 different organisations. As conference director for ASLTIP (Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice), as clinician and consultant for her independent practice THINK TALK and LEARN, and with AVUK across both training and clinical teams. When she’s not working you might find her pulling some shapes on a yoga mat or hanging out with kids at the park. Publications Hutchins., T. Allen., L & Schefer., M (2017) Using the Theory of Mind Inventory to Detect a Broad Range of Theory of Mind Challenges in Children with Hearing Loss: A Pilot Study Deafness & Education International (Published online 2017.01.23) Allen, L. & Simpson Allen, J (2012) What can a parent and professional do in a home-based program when they do not have a lot of “therapy” toys? In W. Estabrooks (Ed.), 101 Frequently Asked Questions About Auditory-Verbal Practice (pp.93-97). Washington DC: The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Plus numerous articles for professional and parent publications such as Bulletin (SLT magazine) and BATOD (Teacher of the Deaf magazine). Lyndsey works Wednesday between 10am-12pm. Email: [email protected]
Caroline Armstrong, Senior Partnerships Manager Expand Caroline joined AVUK in April 2023 as Senior Partnerships Manager (maternity cover). She has lived experience of how Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) helps deaf children with listening and speaking skills. Her nephew in Australia was born deaf and with the support of AVT he has communication skills on par with his peers and aspires to be an actor. See Ryan’s story. She has a wealth of experience working with global and national brands and their CSR and corporate communication teams. Her passion and focus are to build strong funding partnerships with corporates, individuals, and the government here in the UK enabling AVUK to achieve their 10-year target of life-changing unrestricted access to AVT for all deaf children 0-5 years, their families, and carers. A model that is already available in many other countries like Australia. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 020 3763 6492 Pronouns: She/Her
Louise Ashton, Training Lead and Senior Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand MA Communication Pathology, MRCSLT, PgDip Auditory Verbal Therapy, LSLS Cert. AVT® Louise is a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist. She is dually trained as a Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist and obtained her masters degree at the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2004. Louise relocated to the UK and specialised in delivering audiology and speech and language therapy to various client groups working for the National Health Service (NHS) and Local Authorities (LA) in Scotland, London and Bristol. She undertook training whilst working for the NHS to become a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in children with hearing loss. She completed her postgraduate diploma in Auditory Verbal Therapy with distinction at Aston University in 2011. She was mentored towards LSLS CertAVT® whilst working at AVUK. Louise also trained in the assessment and treatment of oro-motor speech production difficulties using the PROMPT approach (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Target). Louise leads on Auditory Verbal UK’s online AGBell and RCSLT accredited Foundation and Advanced training programs, supports the clinical team, mentor in-house trainees, provide intervention services using telepractice, and regularly travels internationally to give lectures or train professionals. She supports a small caseload of families who received technology from the Johannesburg Implant program. in her private practise in South Africa. Louise works remotely from South Africa and in our London centre Working hours: Monday -Thursday core hours 08:00-12:00 and remainder flexible (Nov-April). Monday-Thursday core hours 07:00-11:00 and remainder flexible (April-Nov). Publications: Clark, F., Ashton, L., Kenely, N., Hogan, S. (2021). International Telepractice for therapy and training – Auditory Verbal UK’s Perspective. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups Quayle, R.E., Ashton, L. & Estabrooks, W. (2020). The Development of Play and Auditory-Verbal Therapy. IN Estabrooks, W., McCaffrey Morrison, H. & Maclver-Lux, K. Auditory-Verbal Therapy Science, Research and practice. Plural Publishing Inc. Estabrooks, W., Maclver-Lux, K., Ashton, L. & Quayle, R.E, (2020). The Auditory-Verbal Session: Planning, Delivery and Evaluation. IN Estabrooks, W., McCaffrey Morrison, H. & Maclver-Lux, K. Auditory-Verbal Therapy Science, Research and practice. Plural Publishing Inc. Ashton, L. & Clark, F. (2017). Turning Pages Through the Ages: Acceleration progress through interactive book sharing. British Association of Teachers of the Deaf Association Magazine, September 2017. ISSN 1336-0799. Ashton, L. & Gazeley, K. (2017). The Parent Journey. British Association of Teachers of the Deaf Association Magazine, May 2017. ISSN 1336-0799. MacIver-Lux, Lim, S.R., Rhoades, E.A., Robertson, L., Quayle. R. & Honck. (2016). Milestones in Auditory-Verbal Development: Auditory Processing Speech, Language, Emergent Literacy , Play and Theory of Mind in Estabrooks, W., MacIver-Lux, K. & Rhoades, E.A. (Ed), Auditory Verbal Therapy For Young Children with Hearing loss and Their Families and the Practitioners Who Guide Them (pp219-262). Plural Publishing Inc. Estabrooks, W., MacIver-Lux, K., Honck, L. & Quayle. R. (2016). Blueprint of and Auditory-Verbal Therapy Session in Estabrooks, W., MacIver-Lux, K. & Rhoades, E.A. (Ed), Auditory Verbal Therapy For Young Children with Hearing loss and Their Families and the Practitioners Who Guide Them (pp 341-350). Plural Publishing Inc. Estabrooks, W., Honck, L., Tannebaum-Katsaggelos, S., de Melo, M.E., Clem, B.C., Sindrey, D., Katz, L., MacIver-Lux, K & Steacie, P. (2016). Auditory Verbal Therapy in Action: Step-by-Step Session Plans in Estabrooks, W., MacIver-Lux, K. & Rhoades, E.A. (Ed), Auditory Verbal Therapy For Young Children with Hearing loss and Their Families and the Practitioners Who Guide Them (pp 351-472). Plural Publishing Inc. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Louise Honck Facebook: Louise Avuk
Victoria Bishop-Rowe, Head of Communications and Engagement Expand Victoria, known as Tori, joined AVUK in August 2022 bringing with her almost 10 years of strategic communications experience working across the public and charity sectors. Tori is passionate about integrated, agile and effective communications having previously developed and led national campaigns that create positive change, build profile and deliver measurable outcomes at organisations including Terrance Higgins Trust, The Electoral Commission and The National Lottery Community Fund. Heading up the communications team which covers digital comms, PR, marketing and public affairs, Tori is helping deliver the ambitious and exciting 10-year strategy and create a groundswell for support for AV therapy to ensure all deaf children have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers. Tori works from Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. Email: [email protected] Pronouns: She/Her
Alicja Boryn, Volunteer Expand Alicja completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences, then spent a year on the project management graduate scheme at Rolls-Royce. She left this to complete an MSc Environment and Development, before joining the Civil Service Project Delivery Fast Stream in 2020. So far, Alicja has completed postings in the Department of Transport and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Alicja joined AVUK on a six-month secondment, where her main focus was leading on the hybrid working policy. Alicja now volunteers for AVUK and supports the fundraising team. Email: [email protected] Pronouns: She/Her
Test Expand As a response to school closures, National Literacy Trust have developed a comprehensive web portal for parents, to support you during this time. Visit National Literacy Trust Family Zone National Society for Deaf Children are working hard to provide as much support as they can to deaf children and their families.Visit the National Society for Deaf Children website
Jennifer B. Boyd, Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand M.A. Speech-Language Pathology, LSLS Cert. AVT Jennifer is a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, certified Auditory Verbal therapist. She currently works across AVUK's clinical, training, and outreach teams remotely from Edinburgh. Jennifer trained to be a speech and language therapist at Baylor University and received her master’s degree from the University of Kansas. She began providing auditory-verbal therapy to families at Hearts for Hearing, a comprehensive hearing healthcare center in Oklahoma City in 2012. She qualified as a certified Auditory Verbal therapist in 2015 and continued her full-time, clinical role at Hearts for Hearing until relocating to Scotland. In 2020, Jennifer accepted a position at Hearing First, an online learning community supporting families and professionals pursuing listening and spoken language outcomes for children with hearing loss. Jennifer joined the team at AVUK in December 2021. In addition to her roles at AVUK, Jennifer continues as a consultant and mentor for professionals pursuing certification as listening and spoken language specialists at Hearts for Hearing and Hearing First. Jennifer works Thursday 8-12 and Friday 13:00-16:00, but is currently on maternity leave. Email: [email protected]
Susannah Burden, Senior Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand BSc (Hons) SLT, Cert MRCSLT, PgDip Auditory Verbal Therapy, LSLS Cert. AVT® Susannah is a listening and spoken language specialist, certified Auditory Verbal therapist. She is currently working at our Oxfordshire centre, with time spent in clinical work with families and in training therapists. Susannah trained to be a speech and language therapist at De Montfort University and completed her postgraduate diploma in Auditory Verbal Therapy at Aston University. She was mentored towards LSLS CertAVT® by Jacqueline Stokes, Donna Sperandio, Rosemary Richardson and Catherine White whilst working at Auditory Verbal UK. Susannah has specialised in delivering therapy to children with hearing loss since qualifying, and since 2011 as a certified auditory verbal therapist. Susannah is one of the trainers on the AVUK distance training course and has been mentoring and supporting professionals towards certification for a number of years. Susannah also delivers therapy to families both in person and via telepractice and has a specialist interest in speech development and supporting children with additional needs. Susannah works Wednesday and Thursday between 9am-5pm. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Susie Avuk
Frances Clark, Senior Auditory Verbal Therapist and Clinical Lead Expand BA Speech and Hearing Therapy (Speech Pathology and Audiology), LSLS Cert. AVT® Frances qualified as a speech-language pathologist and audiologist at The University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa in 2004. After working in a South African hospital as a speech therapist/audiologist for one year, she moved to England in 2006. She worked for the Oxford Cochlear Implant Team and Oxford Primary Care Trust as a highly specialist speech and language therapist in deafness. She then worked as a highly specialist speech and language therapist for The Elizabeth Foundation, for pre-school deaf children and their parents, developing the speech and language therapy programme there. In 2013, she began training in Auditory Verbal Therapy through our Part 1 course. In October 2013, she joined the team at AVUK and in August 2015 she qualified as an LSLS Cert. AVT. Frances is the Clinical Lead for AVUK. Frances regularly presents at conferences and delivers training both in the UK and abroad. She has a special interest in using books in therapy, Theory of Mind and Sensory Integration. She obtained a postgraduate certificate in Sensory Integration through Ulster University in January 2018. In 2019 she won a scholarship for Henley Business School and completed a Professional Certificate in Coaching. Frances is a member of the Global Matters committee for A G Bell. Frances works Monday-Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm at the London centre and via telepractice. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn:Frances Clark Facebook: Frances Avuk Twitter: @frances_AVT
Melanie Davis, Senior Philanthropy Manager Expand Melanie joined AVUK in September 2023 as the Senior Philanthropy Manager to help champion the 10-year vision to help all families who want their child to be able to listen and talk to access Auditory Verbal Therapy. Her career spans well over a decade in the charity sector in both the United States and Australia. Melanie loves building relationships with donors to help them achieve their philanthropic goals of seeing real change for others. She is also a Trustee of the Junior League of London and is currently serving as the Fund Development Vice President for 2023-2024 in a volunteer capacity. Melanie works 8:30am - 4:30pm every day except Wednesdays. Email: [email protected] Pronouns: She/her
Tony Deans, Programme Manager Expand Tony Deans has joined AVUK on a six-month secondment from the UK Civil Service Fast Stream. He will be assisting in instituting a programme management structure to help AVUK overcome barriers to its training of professionals. Prior to joining the Civil Service, Tony served in the Royal Navy. Tony works from home on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 - 4pm and in the office on Tuesday from 9 - 5pm. Email: [email protected] Pronouns: he/him
Rebecca de Vyea, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand Rebecca is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Auditory Verbal Therapist. Rebecca trained to be a speech and language therapist at the University of Newcastle in 2002, qualifying with a master’s degree in Language Pathology. She began training with AVUK in October 2018 and qualified as an Auditory Verbal Therapist in 2023. Rebecca has specialised in delivering therapy to children with hearing loss since 2008. She works with babies, pre-school, and some older children with varying degrees of hearing loss and language levels. Rebecca works- Tuesdays 8:30-4:30; Thursday 1pm-5pm; and Fridays 8:30-4:30. Email: [email protected] Pronouns: She/her
Rachel French, Operations Manager Expand In January 2022 Rachel celebrated 15 years' at AVUK. As part of the Operations team her role encompasses governance, HR, facilities, IT, clinical administration and scheduling. She is also responsible for the scheduling and administration for all of AVUK's Foundation and Advanced training courses and Continued Mentorship programmes. Rachel works flexi-hours and is primarily home-based, her core hours are Mon-Thurs 09.30-17.30. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Rachel French
Estelle Gerrett, Senior Auditory Verbal Therapist Expand LSLS Cert. AVT, B.Ed (Hons), Adv Post.Grad Dip HI Estelle's career in working with hearing loss and speech development began under personal circumstances. Her son, Nathan, contracted meningitis when he was one, and lost his hearing as a result. Despite being told that Nathan would not be able to develop speech, Estelle believed there must be a way. So Estelle, who already had a career as a primary school teacher, went to University and gained a Masters in Hearing Impairment and Speech Development so she could teach her son to talk. She later certified as an Auditory Verbal Therapist and over the past 14 years has coached hundreds of parents to develop their children’s listening, talking and social skills at the Hearing House in New Zealand. In September 2017 Estelle moved to the UK and joined the team of Auditory Verbal therapists at Auditory Verbal UK. At the end of 2021 Estelle returned to New Zealand but will continue to mentor trainees virtually and online. Estelle works in two week rotations. the first week she works on Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-5pm (in New Zealand local time), and in the second week she is contactable by email only. Email: [email protected]
Anita Grover, Chief Executive Expand Anita became Chief Executive of AVUK in 2013 following a 20 year career in the public sector. As a senior civil servant, she led communications on the government’s disability, employers, pensions and poverty agendas, working with a succession of cabinet ministers, business leaders and third sector organisations. Anita is profoundly deaf, having lost her hearing progressively from childhood. She had successful cochlear implant surgery in 2006 and brings to the role personal insight into hearing loss and a passion for improving outcomes for deaf children. In 2014 Anita became the first CEO of a UK-based charity to be awarded the Macquarie David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship and was nominated for the 2015 Rising CEO of the Year at the Third Sector Awards. In Dec 2016 Anita was awarded a Fellowship by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations. Anita is a Fellow of the Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a former governor of a primary school in Buckinghamshire. From 2018-2020 she supported smaller charities in the health sector as a consultant on the Kings Fund Cascading Leadership programme and is currently a coach on the GSK/Kings Fund Grow programme. Anita usually works Monday- Thursday, sometimes spread across Friday also. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @AnitaGrover Facebook: Anita Avuk Pronouns: She/Her
Sylvia Hallahan, Senior Partnerships Manager Expand Sylvia joined AVUK in November 2022 and brings with her a wealth of knowledge from working with global and national brands on consumer lead fundraising initiatives, as well as Charity of the Year partnerships and special events. She is passionate about empowering brands, employees and donors to make a real difference and raise expectations and outcomes for deaf children through access to Auditory Verbal Therapy. Sylvia works Monday – Friday both remotely in France and from the London centre. Email: [email protected]
Mariana Helbig, Senior Auditory Verbal Educator Expand MA CED LSLS Cert. AVEd Mariana is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she received a BA in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Buenos Aires in 1999. After finishing college, she settled in St. Louis, Missouri, United States with her husband; where she continued her professional development. In 2000 she obtained a scholarship from the Oberkotter Foundation, with which in 2002 she completed her Masters in Early Intervention in Deaf Education and the career of Teacher of the Deaf, as well as Teacher for the Deaf at Fontbonne University. In 2006, she obtained the certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist - Auditory-Verbal Educator (LSLS Cert. AVEd). From the year 2000 to 2018, Mariana worked at the Moog Center for Deaf Education in St. Louis, Missouri, United States; first as a classroom assistant, and since 2002, providing early intervention to children with hearing loss and their families (0-5 years). Through the Moog Center, she acted as a consultant for two centers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Lima, Peru. In the year 2018, Mariana co-founded and created Escuchar sin Límites, a web page dedicated to supporting listening, spoken language, and cognition development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing through family empowerment, professional training, and access to information in Spanish. The opportunity of working in the United States and in Latin America, allowed Mariana to experience the disparity of access to resources and information available to Spanish speaking families and professionals, who support the development of people with hearing loss to the maximum of their potential, so they are active and full participants in their society. Mariana serves as a member of the AGBell Academy's Certification Committee since 2018, and the AGBell Academy's Board of Directors since 2021. In her spare time, Mariana spends time at home, travels, or visits her family and friends in Argentina. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking, skiing, walking, and paddleboarding. She currently resides in Düsseldorf, Germany with her husband, Sebastian, and their four sons, Santiago, Matías, Nicolás, and Tomás. Mariana generally works Monday – Thursday typically between 8am and 12pm. Email: [email protected] Pronouns: She/her