1. Liberator’s Christmas Sale is Now On!
2. AT Clinical Excellence Networks – Express Your Interest
3. Communication Works 2026 – Register for Your Place!
4. New Parkinson’s Guidance Published
5. CSHCR AAC Lecture by Sarah Hayward
News from Communication Matters
6. AAC User Focus Group December Meeting
7. Save the Date: Sharing Best Practice Day 2026
8. Farewell to Emily!
9. About Friday Announcements
1. Liberator’s Christmas Sale is Now On!
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:
Our Annual Christmas Sale is back and will run until 19th December 2025!
Enjoy a fantastic discount of 12.5% across a wide range of categories in our online store including switches, low and mid-tech AAC and switch activated toys!
Head to the store now and start saving!
https://www.liberator.co.uk/products/christmas-sale
2. AT Clinical Excellence Network – Express Your Interest
From Craig Brown, ATtherapy:
Hello! I’m Craig Brown, Assistive Technologist for ATtherapy.
Within our team we have been discussing the benefit of Clinical Excellence Networks for AAC and Speech and Language, and thought it would be something that would be equally beneficial for Assistive Technology. At ATtherapy, we are looking to host something in the north of England.
To understand the interest and expectations of people that work with Assistive Technology (AT), we have created a form. Here is the link: https://forms.gle/6ouw3NzN6PHvZ5je6
The form will take about five minutes to complete. It asks for your role, understanding of AT, what you would like to see in these meetings and how, when and how often you would like to attend them.
If this is something you think would be helpful to you or others in your team, please complete the form and we will post again here when we have collated the information with details of how we will progress.
3. Communication Works 2026 – Register for Your Place!
From Ryan Crowe, Ace Centre:
Registration for Communication Works 2026 is open!
Building on the success of the last few years, next year’s event promises to be the most ambitious programme yet! Welcoming everyone from Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and SEND coordinators right through to Carers, Teaching Assistants, Support Staff and others, all attendees will benefit from getting a chance to interact with a host of suppliers, showcasing the latest technology, devices and resources available. What’s more, the seminar programmes will be packed with talks and presentations on a variety of topics, from case studies and real-world challenges, to collaborations and research developments. See the dates below and register for your place:
Communication Works North: Friday 22nd May 9:30 – 16:00, Oldham Events Centre, off Hilbre Ave, Oldham OL2 5BL
Communication Works South: Wednesday 24th June 9:15 – 16:00, Charlton Athletic Football Club, London SE7 8BL
Register your FREE place here
4. New Parkinson’s Guidance Published
From Kathleen Graham, RCSLT:
Guidance on how speech and language therapy can support people with Parkinson’s is now available on the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) website. Covering all aspects of SLT involvement and describing best practice when working with people with Parkinson’s at all stages of their lives, the new guidance has been created in collaboration with Parkinson’s UK and people with lived experience of Parkinson’s or atypical Parkinson’s and the RCSLT.
Speech and language therapists play a key role in supporting people with Parkinson’s and atypical Parkinson’s, providing assessment, support and rehabilitation for difficulties with communication, saliva, eating, drinking and swallowing. Please feel free to share with anyone whom you feel may be interested.
Parkinson’s guidance
Parkinson’s resources
Parkinson’s public information
5. CSHCR AAC Lecture by Sarah Hayward
From Katherine Broomfield, Cardiff Metropolitan University:
The Centre for Speech, Hearing and Communication Research (CSHCR) at Cardiff Metropolitan University are delighted to welcome Sarah Hayward to present at our research seminar series on Wednesday 17th December, 3-4pm at Llandaff Campus, Cardiff and online.
Sarah is an SLT, researcher, and PhD candidate. Her research is participatory, creative, and really engaging and she will provide plenty of food for thought in terms of how we can work more collaboratively with parents and carers for the benefit of AAC users.
I hope you will be able to join us for this event, and share the opportunity to learn and connect widely with your networks.
To reserve an in-person space please follow this link.
If you are unable to make it in person, we will also be live-streaming the talk. To book for this, please follow this link.
6. AAC User Focus Group December Meeting
The next AAC user focus group is on Tuesday 9th December at 4pm.
If you would like to join us, please contact us for a meeting link by emailing [email protected]
7. Save the Date: Sharing Best Practice Day 2026
Tuesday 31st March 2026 10.00am-3.00pm
Following the successful and enjoyable day in April this year, Communication Matters are pleased to announce that we will be hosting another Peer Support & Mentoring Project ‘sharing best practice day’ at the University of Leeds.
This event is open to all AAC users and others interested in peer support and mentoring along with finding out more about other opportunities.
More information including how to book and the programme for the day will be available soon.
In the meantime, put the date in your diary. For more information about the project, visit our website or contact Verity Elliott [email protected].
8. Farewell to Emily!
Our Charity Manager, Emily Campbell is moving on to a new post. CM would like to thank her for the 11 years she has spent with us, and wish her every success in her new role. Her last day at CM will be Friday 12th December.
Our part-time Administrator, Helen Copeland, will be taking over the role of Operations Manager from January. Conference planning for 2026 is well underway and Helen will be working with the Trustees on our exciting plans for next year. We have begun the process of hiring a new full-time Administrator who will be in place in Jan/Feb.
Helen’s working days from January will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and therefore the Communication Matters Office will be closed on Thursdays from 15th December until our new Administrator is in post.
Please send any enquiries to [email protected]. We will keep you updated on our office opening hours in the new year.
9. About Friday Announcements
These ‘Friday Announcements’ comprise weekly product updates, upcoming courses, and supplier news. Please email [email protected] with the item you want to be included by Thursday at 5pm – no more than 200 words (one entry per organisation per week) – and include contact email and/or link so readers can find out further information (no file attachments please).
