A ‘royal’ start to the National Year of Communication - Laura Smith, Media and Campaign Manager

This weekend I finally got to see the Kings Speech (out in cinemas now), which according to a steward at Shepherds Bush has been sold out across London in a way he ‘has never seen before’.

Considering the anticipation, vast amounts of publicity and perfect timing to the national year of communication, I was not disappointed.

In fact, I was hugely moved. Moved not only by the content of this film, which shows one man (who happens to be a King in waiting) and his journey to come to terms with his communication difficulties, but by seeing first hand the audience reaction to the film.

The Kings Speech shows how King George VI, who has a stammer, finds techniques to express himself with support from his speech therapist. You cringe at his humiliation, laugh out loud as his sense of humour, are touched by the support of his wife and are moved to tears when he finds his voice and ultimately respect from the people around him.

I could see the audience – from young to old and from a range of backgrounds – experiencing a ‘light bulb’ moment that many of us realised many moons ago. That if you find communication hard, you find life hard; that communication difficulties can affect anyone (even the Monarchy) and that this issue had then - as it does today - low levels of public recognition.

January’s theme for Hello – national year of communication is ‘Don’t take communication for granted’. We could not ask for a better way to start the year than with a film that captures the public interest and inspires the media to look at the impact of communication difficulties.

It provides a great platform for the cause – the more people who can go and see it and then blog, ‘tweet’ or facebook about it – the better. We are delighted that the British Stammering Association and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, in particular, are benefiting directly from the close association to the story.

A mass media opportunity like this film is a blessing. Happy New Year and Happy Hello!

Today is International Stammering Day

Working in the Third Sector, you don’t get too many perks, but last night I was lucky enough to attend the British Premiere of The Kings Speech. All thanks to the British Stammering Association.

It featured Colin Firth as King George VI, who had a stammer from an early age. The film focused mainly on the relationship with his self taught Australian Speech therapist, Lionel Logue. What struck me most about the film was the skill and determination of Lionel to help the King, it really showed the impact that a Speech Therapist can make.

Secondly, you could see close up the frustrations of the King, played expertly by Mr Firth. I do hope they award him an Oscar!

It has given me pause for thought on International Stammering Awareness Day about the frustrations that many children and young people have. I hope this film, and all the activity today, makes some people think about the challenges that many people face on a day to day basis in being able to communicate.

As for my perks the Stammering community have now given me the opportunity to meet Michael Palin and be quite close to Colin Firth so I consider myself a very lucky person indeed!