The mentoring project aims to deliver qualifications in mentoring for disabled young people as well as other training opportunities.
Update February 2025:
Peer Support Sharing Best Practice Day, Tuesday 15th April 2025
Communication Matters are pleased to invite AAC users (mentors and those interested in mentoring/peer support), PAs, parents and others to our Peer Mentoring and Support Project, Sharing Best Practice Day on Tuesday 15th April, at 9.30am-3.15pm, at the University of Leeds.
The aim of the day is to share best practice with a focus on peer support and mentoring and to bring everyone together who has been involved in the project so far, including AAC mentors and those providing Communication Clubs, as well as anyone who would like to come along to find out more.
We are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund England for providing the funding for this project and this event. The event is free to anyone who would like to attend (lunch and refreshments will be provided), but you will need to please register your place in advance. We have funding for travel and accommodation (if required) for AAC users too.
If you are unable to attend in person, we are also able to offer remote access to the morning presentations via Zoom.
Please click the button below to download the programme for the day (some sessions will be confirmed soon).
Please click the button below to register for this event. Please note that numbers are limited and places are offered on a first-come-first-served basis. The closing date for booking your place is Monday 24th March 2025.
For more information, please contact the CM office on [email protected] or Verity Elliott on [email protected].
Update January 2025:
SAVE THE DATE – Communication Matters Sharing Best Practice & Information Day
Tuesday 15th April 2025, 10.00am-3.00pm, University of Leeds
We are delighted to be hosting this event for our Peer Support and Mentoring Project.
The aim of the event is to bring everyone together who has been involved in the project so far, including AAC mentors and those providing Communication Clubs, as well as anyone who would like to come along to find out more.
Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.
More information will be provided soon. Watch this space!
Update September 2024:
We have a few exciting updates regarding the CM Peer Support and Communication Clubs project
Small grants: As part of the National Lottery funding, we can offer a small grant of up to £600 for AAC Communication Clubs. This is to help cover the cost of travel, venue and/or some resources. Applications are considered on an individual basis and are subject to available funds. If you are interested in finding out more, please let Verity know (see contact details below).
Units and qualifications: We still have funding available for AAC users to complete Entry Level 2, Entry Level 3 and Level 1 units and qualifications in various topics. The Level 1 Award in Mentoring is proving to be popular and a good way to start a new communication club.
‘How to…’ sessions: We are hosting a series of free CPD and information sessions via Zoom for finding out more about: i) Entry Level 2 and Entry Level 3 in Personal & Social Development, ii) Level 1 Award in Mentoring, and iii) Essential Digital Foundation Skills. See dates and times below. Please let Verity know if you would like to book a place (a Zoom invite will be sent nearer the time). If you are unable to attend any of the below dates but would still like to know more, please contact Verity.
We would love to hear about what you are doing in your Communication Clubs and how we can support you.
If you scroll down, you can watch the animation about mentoring.
For more information contact:
Verity Elliott, Project Facilitator
[email protected]
07891 959048
Update June 2024:
Invite to Find Out More About CM Communication Clubs
Would you like to know more about how Communication Matters (CM) can support new and existing groups for AAC users (Communication Clubs)? Would you like to find out more about peer support and mentoring?
CM are delighted to offer a series of free Zoom sessions to tell you more about the range of support and resources available. Communication Clubs help to bring AAC users, parents and carers and practitioners together, to make social connections, enjoy some shared learning and provide some peer support.
Please let us know which session you would like to attend (you only need to attend one):
- Monday 8th July – 4.00pm-5.00pm
- Thursday 25th July – 10.30am-11.30am
- Tuesday 6th August – 2.00pm-3.00pm
The sessions will include:
- Welcome and introductions.
- A short presentation about CM Communication Clubs and what we can offer in the way of support and resources with Q&A.
- What does a Communication Club look like? Sharing experiences.
- Ideas for new clubs – where and who.
- What is needed in the way of support and next steps.
To book your place at any of the sessions or for more information, please email Verity Elliott on [email protected] or phone 07891 959048.
For more information about CM Peer Support, please see further details below.
Update May 2024:
New for 2024 CM COMMUNICATION CLUBS
With funding from the National Lottery, Communication Matters is delighted to support the setting up and running of AAC Communication Clubs. The aim of the Communication Clubs is to enable AAC users to meet together for peer support and make connections with other AAC users. We can also help AAC users gain an accredited qualification.
At this stage, we are looking for people who would like to run a Communication Club in their local area.
The Communication Clubs can take place in any venue or setting such as a school, college or in the local community. They can be in person or online. We are particularly interested in AAC users who have gained the Level 1 in Mentoring qualification to help co-facilitate these sessions either in person or remotely.
CM have created some useful resources and we can provide support and guidance. For more information please download the PDF below.
To register your interest in running a Communication Club please complete the Expression of Interest form below.
Update April 2024:
Watch our Animation about Mentoring!
Communication Matters commissioned a wonderful animation that really helps to illustrate what AAC mentoring is about. It is about the opportunity to listen to and support another person as they make various transitions in their lives, or if they want to make a change, or if they would simply like support using their communication device.
We have funding available for a host of wonderful learning and development opportunities from Entry Level to Level 2 fully accredited and some non-accredited short courses specifically designed for AAC users in England so please click here for more information and do not hesitate to contact us.
Verity Elliott
07891 959048
[email protected]
Update February 2024:
Good News from National Lottery England!
We are delighted to announce that Communication Matters has been successful in being awarded a grant from the National Lottery to continue our AAC peer support and mentoring project in England for another five years.
This is fantastic news as we aim to continue to offer a range of opportunities for accredited and non-accredited learning in a wide range of topics including mentoring and peer support and communication clubs.
We are currently planning next steps so keep a look out for updates coming shortly. For more information, contact the CM Office on [email protected].
