1Voice Role Models

A role-model approach is at the heart of 1Voice’s work: creating a community of AAC users and those who support them so we can learn from and inspire each other.

It is incredibly hard work to learn to use alternative communication and AAC users may well not easily meet others who communicate and interact like them. Our role models help with this.

1Voice role models volunteer to support other AAC users by:

  • raising awareness of AAC

  • helping to highlight potentially fun, fulfilling futures and opportunities for AAC users

  • encouraging and inspiring others who are developing their communication skills

  • showing their families, PA’s, and professionals what is possible

Our Patron, Beth Moulam

Elite boccia player Beth Moulam represented Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and is our first 1Voice Patron.
Here she tells us about herself and her involvement with 1Voice:

Subsequently I went onto university, graduating in 2021 after extending my course, to graduate with a first in Social Policy. This was no small feat when my Mum was told when I was 12 I would be unlikely to get any qualifications. In September 2022 I returned to the University to York to commence a MRes in Social Policy. Throughout my undergraduate degree I played boccia. At first this was for fun, until I made it to England. Then, I went onto be selected to the Great Britain World Class Programme and in 2021 I represented GB at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics (due to Covid). This was both a huge honour and a dream come true.

I’m delighted to have been invited to become a Patron of 1 Voice.

Twenty-one years after my first network day I returned as a role model to the national weekend. It was like ‘coming home’. I thoroughly enjoyed supporting young communicators and their families. I believe that each of us can fulfil our own communication potential and I look forward to supporting 1 Voice in the future in their amazing work.”

“1 Voice has played a huge part in my life. As an electronic AAC user from the age of 4 I attended my first event at the age of 7. Over the following years it was my highlight of each year. I looked forward to spending time with friends like me. I’m the product of mainstream primary and secondary schools. I transferred to a residential specialist school at the age of 13.

Meet our role models

These are some of our role models. Get in touch if you’d like to buddy up with one of our role models.

Helen

Alex

Toby

Oli

Lana

Eva

How could a role model help me?

  • Buddy up with a less confident AAC user to encourage, motivate, or engage them

  • Share experiences and insights with families, schools, or care teams of AAC users to build their confidence

  • Share information about their hobbies and interests and how they access these using their AAC

  • Lead discussions with AAC users on a specific focus

  • Get in touch with any queries or suggestions about how our role models could support you

Former 1Voice trustee Gregor reminds us what is possible:

I have been coming to 1 voice for over 20 years. I went to the 1st weekend in 2000 and I loved it. I can remember doing loads at the Harry Potter weekend and we wrote a song, this was my favourite event.

I had a little break from 1voice while I was at Beaumont College, but returned in 2014 as a role model. In 2017 I was officially made a trustee of 1voice.

I have worked for AT Therapy since 2016 as an AAC mentor and since the launch of AT Mentors in 2019 I now work for them. I am a senior AAC mentor. I really enjoy working as an AAC mentor and being a role model for younger AAC users, it is important for them to have someone to look up to and inspire them.

I like going to the pub for meals and watching football, I support Manchester City. I play wheelchair football, kurling and boccia. I go horse riding and really enjoy doing physio and hydro. I like to keep busy by doing presentations, college courses and helping out on research projects which are AAC related.

Become a 1Voice Role Model

To become a 1Voice role model, you must:

  • Be a 1Voice member and have attended some 1Voice events

  • Complete role model training

  • Contact us for more information about becoming a role model