Celebrity Supporters

Shobna Gulati

“Each day my son Akshay is able to learn at school and play with his friends. He’s happy and I’m happy knowing that he is able to convey what he’s thinking and interact with the world around him – which all rests on his ability to communicate. It is so important that everyone is aware of how vital being able to communicate is especially for children if they are go on and live happy and successful lives. This is why I’m supporting I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign. We must make sure there are tools, information and support available to families and the educators and carers of young children so that we can help them communicate for life."

Gabby Logan, sports presenter and mother of twins

My little twins - my son Reuben and my daughter Lois - are one and they’re just starting to talk. Each day they’re picking up new sounds and words which, as a parent, is amazing to witness. Seeing their eyes light up and hearing them say ‘Mum’ is incredible – I never get tired of it. I hate to think of how frustrating it must be for children who don’t understand and can’t say what they want to and, for parents, it must be heart-breaking to watch they’re child struggle. That’s why I’m supporting I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign. It is so important that parents and early years workers get the information and support they need to help children develop the speech and language skills they need. Without these skills they will struggle learn at school and make friends.

The Chatterbox Challenge is a great way everyone can support I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign. What better way to celebrate children’s chatter and raise money for those who struggle to chatter than with thousands of little tigers and monkeys singing action songs and nursery rhymes across the UK.

 Dermot Murnaghan, BBC Breakfast presenter

“As the father of four young children who are constantly nattering I know how important it is for them to be able to communicate - to ask for things, to understand instructions, to interact with me and their friends and ultimately to learn so that they have the best chances in life.

Our house is always noisy and there is nothing better than listening to my kids chatting together, which is why I support I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign. We must raise the standards of children’s communication skills before they reach school so that they can learn effectively and join in with their friends.

A great way to support the Make Chatter Matter campaign is through the Chatterbox Challenge. I will be encouraging my children to take part in I CAN’s Chatterbox Challenge for 2007. I’ve been to a Chatterbox Challenge event and it’s great fun making chatter matter with young children through nursery rhymes and action songs. Please lend your support to help raise money for children with speech and language difficulties and together we can help all children communicate!”

Dr Tanya Byron

“Communication skills are essential for healthy brain and behavioural development in children. They enable children to acquire vital social skills and helps to maximise their potential in all aspects of learning. You don’t need to spend money on expensive toys to develop your child’s communication skills. Nursery rhymes, songs, stories and happy chatter provide the firm foundations for our excellent future communicators."

Lorraine Kelly, LK Today host and columnist

“Being a parent is the best job I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget the utter delight I felt when my daughter Rosie said her first word and every day I’m amazed when she is able to express herself and her thoughts more and more. Communication skills are vital that’s why I would ask everyone to get behind I CAN to Make Chatter Matter. We cannot take communication for granted. It is vital that children’s speech and language development is nurtured as much as possible both at home and at pre-school or in the nursery so that they reach school with the skills they need to learn effectively and make friends.”

Tracy Ann Oberman

“As a new mum I see how much talking and communicating with my 5 month old daughter using songs, stories and speech has already reaped benefits. She is bright and aware and already copying mouth shapes and noises."

Amanda Holden, actor, star of ITV1's Wild at Heart, BBC1's Cutting It; and The Grimleys

Many people take communication for granted but throughout my career as an actress, my ability to ‘get the part’ has relied heavily on my communication skills.

Now, as a new Mum, I realise how important communication is. Children need to be able to speak and understand words to learn, develop relationships and get on in life. It doesn’t always come naturally, so they need all the help they can get at home and in their nurseries and schools. My daughter Lexi is too young to talk but she still communicates in every way possible, from blowing raspberries to get my attention to making eye contact and laughing.  It is so important to encourage all communication in children and that’s why I support I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign.

I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign by taking part in the Chatterbox Challenge. The Chatterbox Challenge is a fantastic way to encourage your children’s communication skills by practising and performing rhymes and action songs.

Lucy Pargeter

“As a mum I see how much talking and communicating with my little daughter using songs, stories and speech has already reaped benefits."