Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s Speech and Language Therapy team have announced a new collaboration between their services and The Consortium Academy Trust (TCAT) to raise awareness of stammering across schools.
The Stammering Awareness Project developed a school awareness pack called ‘Just Listen’, which can be used to educate and support staff and pupils in learning more about stammering.
Just Listen includes resources for assemblies, visuals supporting awareness for schools, digital resources and a student-led film.
Backed by leading UK charities, STAMMA (The British Stammering Association) and Action for Stammering Children, who will now host and distribute the educational package nationwide, the team are proud to launch the pack on International Stammer Awareness Day, Wednesday 22 October 2025.
The NHS Trust’s Speech and Language Therapy team are working closely together with TCAT to share Just Listen further afield, to encourage far-reaching positive impact.
Julia Lovel, Assistant Headteacher at Holderness Academy, said: “I am immensely proud to have worked alongside Laila and Siobhan on this learner-led project. It is truly overwhelming what these young people have achieved and the impact this will have. It has been a real privilege to work with some of the most inspiring young people I have met from across the Humber and East Riding.”
Siobhan Ward, Speech and Language Therapy Specialist Stammering Service, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Speech and Language Therapy Specialist Stammering Service has always worked closely with schools to ensure that children who stammer are supported and awareness about stammering is increased. We were delighted when Julia Lovel approached us to suggest a collaboration inspired by Laila, one of her learners who stammers. This resulted in the ‘Just Listen’ film and school resource pack.”
“Stammering is sadly still stigmatised in our society. The only way to change this is to raise awareness, educate others and ensure that stammering voices are heard, valued and celebrated. We hope that schools across the country will use the resources to create stammer-friendly environments where stigma around stammering can be confined to the history books and future generations learn to Just Listen.”
Helen Rutter, bestselling author of The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh, said: “So brilliant and so impressive what you are doing, and the words that you are spreading are very important.”
Jane Powell, CEO of STAMMA, said: “The film you’ve created delivers a genuine and powerful message. It’s honest, strong, and deeply relatable for other young people who may be navigating similar experiences. It speaks directly to its audience — teenagers — in a way that feels authentic, warm, and hopeful. For schools and educators, it’s impactful and thought-provoking; a brilliant resource that will help shape understanding and empathy in classrooms everywhere. It’s an amazing achievement and something you should all be immensely proud of.”
Ria Barnard, CEO of Action for Stammering Children, said: “Congratulations to Laila and everyone involved. It takes remarkable motivation, creativity and determination to spearhead an initiative like this — one that will not only benefit your own school community, but potentially thousands of children in schools across the country.”
Schools across the UK are encouraged to use the pack, and share the film, to spark conversation, challenge stigma, and ensure that young people who stammer are not just heard, but understood.
Just Listen launches on Wednesday 22nd October. Find out more here.