Many thanks to Aimee for this update on support received for St Catherine’s. Ed
Acclaimed actor, screenwriter and director Julian Fellowes hosted a reception for St Catherine’s in London on Tuesday 2 March.
Julian, who won an Oscar in 2002 for Gosford Park, spoke about the importance of speech and communication in all our lives and the challenges children with communication disabilities face every single day.
In an open question and answer session Julian explained that he often takes his inspiration for writing from everyday life and how individuals interact and communicate with each other.
Julian was joined by Ollie and William, two learners from St Catherine’s Further Education Centre. Both spoke to invited guests about St Catherine’s School, their classes, the residential activities and how they have progressed. As they explained “It was a lovely evening. Julian was very friendly, not at all like you would imagine someone who has won an Oscar!”
St Catherine’s is a national charity working with children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments. Although one in ten – or 1.2 million – children have a communication disability in the UK, the challenges they face are not widely recognised and St Catherine’s is working to raise awareness across the UK.
As Aimee Steward, Development Officer, explained “We approached Julian given his remarkable ability to communicate through TV, film or writing. Charities very rarely get the opportunity to work with the individual of their choice. Fortunately for St Catherine’s, Julian was absolutely wonderful and immediately expressed an interest in assisting us to raise awareness of this spectrum of disabilities. We cannot thank him enough!”
