Providing social connection, positive role models, and networking opportunities for AAC users and their families - at any stage of their communication journey.
What is 1Voice?
1Voice is a small, volunteer-led, UK charity. We have been organising social opportunities for AAC users and their families for over 25 years.
1Voice takes a family and social perspective on communication. We recognises the great need for role models to inspire children and their families. We connect AAC users and families to support each other and to counter the isolation that being unable to speak can bring.
What we do
We provide social connection, positive role models, and networking opportunities for AAC users and those who support them - at any stage of their communication journey.
Find out about our events programme here.
Our aims are to:
increase awareness and understanding of AAC
encourage and assist people who use AAC to achieve their communication potential
AAC users, their families, volunteers and professionals who support AAC users can join 1Voice. Membership is free and means you can come to our online, regional and residential events, connect with others via our social media groups and receive our email newsletters.
We currently have 3 regional branches who organise local meet-ups and activities. We hope to set up more - get in touch if you’d like to run a branch! Find out more here.
We welcome people at any stage on their communication journey, from those who are exploring ways to enable communication to skilled, experienced AAC users. You do not have to have a particular diagnosis or condition to be part of our community.
Who we are
Our team is made up of:
Trustees (voluntary)
One part-time administrator
1Voice role models
Patron
Members (AAC users, family members and professionals)
Event volunteers
National Residential Weekend 2024
What is AAC?
“Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a range of strategies and tools to help people who struggle with speech. These may be simple letter or picture boards or sophisticated computer-based systems. AAC helps someone to communicate as effectively as possible, in as many situations as possible.” (Communication Matters)
Why We Exist
Learning to use AAC is hard work. Many children who would benefit from AAC don’t meet others who communicate like them and many families have never met other AAC users.
Frustration or a desire not to appear ‘different’ can lead to some children rejecting AAC initially. With little support available for parents to learn about how to support their child to navigate life with AAC, it can be hard to know how best to support them.
New challenges emerge at each stage of the journey. Bringing members together to have fun in an inclusive environment, where they are given time, encouragement, and opportunity to communicate and connect with others who may be facing similar challenges, helps us learn from and inspire each other.
Our activities build communication confidence and promote communication skills in real world, social settings, while having fun and meeting new people. Fun, motivating activities maximise motivation to communicate while offering the opportunity to try new things and gives members inspiration for activities they could pursue in their free time.
Sessions are run and supported by AAC users, 1Voice Role Models, parents or experienced speech and language therapists. Our volunteers, or trustees have the skills and knowledge to successfully adapt activities to a range of physical needs and communication abilities.
Many 1Voice members have additional physical, cognitive, or sensory needs due to acquired or developmental conditions such as cerebral palsy or stroke. Some are autistic, or neurodivergent in other ways. All of them are amazing, and we aim to support and amplify this community of amazing children, adults, families, PAs / Carers and allies, through our Events, Role Models and Resources.
National Residential Weekend 2018
What We Don’t Do!
Therapy: Although many of our members, volunteers, and trustees are current or former speech and language therapists, 1Voice doesn’t offer formal therapy activities or advice on AAC devices. Our members do share tips and advice informally however.
Funded by Private Companies: 1Voice relies entirely on non-government grants and donations. Our members have relationships with a wide variety of suppliers and organisations.
Background: "1Voice is a MUST"
1Voice – Communicating Together held its first event in December 2000 - a family weekend in Blackpool. The families there said that "1Voice is a MUST" and the organisation has been growing ever since. We became a registered charity 2001, and in 2010 1Voice became a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee.