Buddy Chat launched across Northern Ireland

The RCSLT has launched a new learning programme made for primary education settings in Northern Ireland to promote inclusive communication in schools.

Officially launched on 29 August ready for the upcoming school year, Buddy Chat is a free, co-designed children’s communication project provided through video-based lessons. The lessons will help teachers and their students increase understanding of the 6 most common areas of communication differences. Aimed at children in primary 4 and above, teachers will use a set of two video-based lessons to empower their students with the tools to communicate with their peers and learn more about Stammer, Speech Sound Disorder (SDD), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Physical Need (Cleft Palate), Deafness and Autism.

Over 100 attendees made of RCSLT members, stakeholders, teachers and parents joined RCSLT President Nick Hewer, RCSLT CEO Steve Jamieson and Robbie Butler (MLA)at the official launch of Buddy Chat at Cranmore Integrated Primary School in Belfast.

Ruth Sedgewick Head of RCSLT NI said, “Children who are struggling with communication are more likely to feel isolated, embarrassed or frustrated.  We also know that this can lead to bullying, and in some instances can have a significant impact on their mental health and well-being.

“Buddy Chat aims to support children to be kind, caring communicators with classmates who have a speech, language or communication need. It’s all about acceptance, empathy and inclusion.”

With the support of the Department of Education and the Education Authority, our aim is for Buddy Chat to be rolled out across all mainstream primary schools in Northern Ireland. Teachers need to individually register  and download the lessons and resources for their class to use.

To find out more about Buddy Chat and how you can utilise it’s lessons, visit our website for a more detailed explanation. If you’re ready to register, visit Buddy Chat directly.