High Profile Supporters

“Communication is essential for all children so that they can learn, develop and build relationships. We all tend to take our ability to communicate for granted. For most people communication comes naturally from the moment they are born and we do not even question how we can do this wonderful thing with such ease. For one in ten children in the UK however, communication - speaking to and understanding others - is a daily struggle. I CAN's annual Chatterbox Challenge raises awareness of the importance of communication to all children and vital funds for I CAN's work. By singing and performing nursery rhymes and songs, your child can take part in Chatterbox Challenge and help I CAN make a big difference to the lives of children with a communication disability and their families. Chatterbox Challenge doesn't only raise much-needed funds, it's also great fun and helps all children develop their communication skills. I urge everyone to take up I CAN's Chatterbox Challenge.” - Cherie Booth, QC
“I've supported Chatterbox Challenge for the past three years and I think it's a fantastic event for children to get involved in. Not only does it help I CAN, but it helps develop children's communication skills. My two sons love singing and I'll be there encouraging them to sing their little hearts out in Chatterbox Challenge 2006” - Fiona Phillips, GMTV Presenter and I CAN Ambassador
Make Chatter Matter Tip:“ I've always loved reading entertaining stories to myself out loud. Now I love to read to my son Woody, funny rhymes like Spike Milligan's or books like Harry Potter. When a child becomes entranced in a story or poem, they can't help but want to join in and talk about it.” - Zoe Ball, Broadcaster and Strictly Come Dancing Star
“As a broadcaster and journalist I know the fundamental importance of communication. Through my long-standing involvement with I CAN, I am also acutely aware that for many children, communication - the ability to express themselves and understand others - is a daily struggle. During ‘Make Chatter Matter Week' in February 2006, I CAN will be urging the nation not to take communication for granted, highlighting the importance of communication development for all children and raising awareness of the issues faced by the 1.2 million children in the UK with a communication disability. There are many ways by which you can help I CAN to ‘make chatter matter' and I urge everyone to join me in getting involved and lending their support.” - Michael Buerk, Broadcaster and I CAN Ambassador
“Not being able to communicate, to make oneself understood and understand what others are saying, is something that many of us just can't imagine. We take this skill for granted. I love the sound of I CAN's Chatterbox Challenge- what a great way of nurturing and developing children's communication skills early when it is most crucial. I urge you to support I CAN and help make a difference by taking part in I CAN's annual Chatterbox Challenge which will raise vital finds for the one in ten children who struggle to communicate. Please join in!” - Jon Snow, Journalist and Channel 4 Anchorman
Make Chatter Matter Tip: “I have always loved reading myself and now I love reading to my children. It is such an important part of their growing up.” - Darcey Bussell, Principal Ballerina with the Royal Ballet in London
“In our role as designers and architects, clear communication is vital in terms of ensuring that we can understand and translate ideas which our team have into workable designs, whether that is a building, its interior or a product, and that the final design then communicates the right messages to others. Communication and creativity is intrinsically linked. As a parent, I know how vitally important it is for children to be able to learn to understand others and express themselves clearly without frustration. That is why I support I CAN’s work and I am delighted to lend my voice to I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter Week” - Sebastian Conran, Designer
“Being able to communicate and express yourself is a fundamental life skill. Communication is vital to my work and this is why it gives me great pleasure to be involved in I CAN’s ‘Make Chatter Matter’ campaign from the 6-12th February. Nothing gives kids more confidence than being able to make people laugh. I have taught both my children to learn funny poems by heart as their party pieces and we are looking forwards to taking part in the Chatterbox Challenge so we can raise money for the one in ten children who struggle to communicate. It doesn’t matter if children learn limericks, nursery rhymes or even knock knock jokes, the idea is to get kids to feel that they have something terrific to contribute. The only problem can be to get them to pipe down!” - Daisy Goodwin, Producer of "The Nations Favourite Poems"
“Hearing your child start to communicate with you, create sentences, structure a funny conversation and make up their own words has to be one of the most joyous moments of bringing them up. It gives you pride as a parent, makes the bond even stronger between parent and child, and gives endless laughter in the process. The thought that one in ten children can’t do this is something that needs to be addressed. It is vital to make this happen and that is why I am supporting I CAN’s ‘Make Chatter Matter’ week from the 6th-12th February 2006. Please help support them and together we can try to give these children the gift of speech.” - Emma Forbes, Broadcaster
"As a father of four young children our home is always noisy! There is nothing better than listening to my kids chatting together, and although I know it will raise the decibels, I’m encouraging them to take part in I CAN’s Chatterbox Challenge 2006. I went along to a Chatterbox event last year and had great fun making chatter matter with the children through songs and rhymes. Please lend your support to help raise money for children who struggle to communicate." - Dermot Murnaghan, Broadcaster
"In primary school I was very shy and reticent when called upon to speak in class. I would go red and get tongue tied if I felt under pressure to express myself. As time went on I developed better communication skills (I learned how to tell jokes). My confidence grew and I began to enjoy talking so much that the first report I took home from secondary school began: "Catherine is a chatterbox!." - Catherine Tate, Actress and Comedian