AAC and Me, Specialist AAC Support

17/06/2026

How much equipment is needed for an assessment? 🎒

It depends!

Before I meet anyone in person, I try to gather as much as I can about them: how they communicate now, what motivates them, what a good day looks like. The more I know, the better I can choose what to pack.

Years of experience have taught me what I'll definitely need and what I might need. With my background in early years and SEND teaching, so much of what I do is about learning through play, especially for those at the very earliest stages.

Sometimes I'll even bring my guitar, because music can be a brilliant motivator.

What would you like to see at an assessment? 👇

16/06/2026

🌟 Ryedale Communication Club is here! 🌟

Join us on Friday 26th June, 10am-11am for a free stay and play session for children aged 3-5, led by a specialist teacher and a speech and language therapist.

Here's what to expect:
🚂 Play stations with trains, bubbles and cars
🗣️ Core word boards at every activity
🎵 Songs to open and close the session
💛 A warm, relaxed space for you and your child to enjoy playing and communicating together

📍 Ryedale Special Families, Pickering, YO18 7JA
🕙 10am-11am
🎟️ Free entry, but spaces are limited so please book your place: https://f.mtr.cool/usqkhgmiob

We'd love to see you there!

05/06/2026

What happens when you have an assistive technology specialist run a music session? 🎸🎵

Looking forward to making some loops with our AAC devices tomorrow at Northallerton Communication Club. Members use their AAC devices as instruments to build a song together — I'll be on electric guitar, but the real music makers are the club members themselves.

📅 Saturday 6th June
🕙 10am - 12pm
📍 Mencap Northallerton & the Dales

Can't wait to see you there! 👋

02/06/2026

On Saturday 6th June, Northallerton Communication Club is hosting a very special music jam where our members use their AAC devices as instruments to build a song together. I'll be on electric guitar laying down loops, but the real music makers are the club members themselves.

If you know a young person who communicates using AAC, this is the session for them.

📅 Saturday 6th June
⏰ 10am - 12pm
📍 Mencap Northallerton & the Dales

Drop a comment or send us a message to find out more!

🎸 Something exciting is coming to Northallerton Communication Club!

On Saturday 6th June, we're running a very special session: AAC Rocks! — a music jam where our club members use their AAC devices as instruments, creating voice-output sounds to build a song together.

I'll be supporting on electric guitar, laying down loops for everyone to jam along to. But the real music makers are the club members themselves. There is so much creativity and expression in this group, and I cannot wait to see what we create together.

If you know a young person who communicates using AAC and might love to get involved, this is the session for them.

📅 Saturday 6th June
⏰ 10am - 12pm
📍 Northallerton Mencap

Drop a comment or send us a message if you'd like to know more 🎵

20/05/2026

🗓️ Online Drop-In — Friday 5th June

Our free online AAC and AT drop-in is coming up on Friday 5th June, and we would love to see you there.

It is a 45-minute Zoom session where you can bring your questions, your worries, or simply a "where do I even start?" — and we will work through it together.

Spaces are free but limited, so if you would like to come along, book your slot using the link below. Before your session I will send you a short form to fill in so I can be properly prepared for you.

👉 Book here: https://f.mtr.cool/rbopudxomm

If you cannot make this one, the drop-in runs on the first Friday of every month — so there will always be another chance. 💛

19/05/2026

We're launching something new – and we'd love you to come! 🎉

Ryedale Communication Club – Stay and Play is our brand new free session for children aged 3–5 who use AAC (or are just starting to explore it).

📅 Friday 26th June
🕙 10:00 – 11:00am
📍 Ryedale Special Families, Pickering

We'll have play stations with trains, bubbles, and cars, core word boards at every activity, songs to open and close the session, and a warm, relaxed space for you and your child to just enjoy playing and communicating together.

No targets. No pressure. Just play.

Places are free but limited – grab yours here 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/jubvxeosrv

13/05/2026

🎸 Something exciting is coming to Northallerton Communication Club!

On Saturday 6th June, we're running a very special session: AAC Rocks! — a music jam where our club members use their AAC devices as instruments, creating voice-output sounds to build a song together.

I'll be supporting on electric guitar, laying down loops for everyone to jam along to. But the real music makers are the club members themselves. There is so much creativity and expression in this group, and I cannot wait to see what we create together.

If you know a young person who communicates using AAC and might love to get involved, this is the session for them.

📅 Saturday 6th June
⏰ 10am - 12pm
📍 Northallerton Mencap

Drop a comment or send us a message if you'd like to know more 🎵

11/05/2026

What an incredible morning at Thirsk Garden Centre! ☕

It was so wonderful to see familiar faces AND some brilliant new ones joining us for our latest AAC club meet-up. The conversations were flowing, the devices were out, and the room was buzzing with connection.

This is exactly what it's all about: AAC users, families, and supporters coming together in a relaxed space to share, chat, and just enjoy each other's company.

Our next club session is just around the corner:
📍 Mencap Northallerton
📅 Saturday 6th June
⏰ 10am – 12pm

Whether you're a regular or thinking about coming for the first time, everyone is welcome. See you there!

01/05/2026

Looking forward to seeing some regular and new faces tomorrow, Saturday 2nd May, at Thirsk Garden Centre.

I hope the weather stays as nice as it is now!

We're excited to be hosting our next Northallerton Communication Club Café Meetup on Saturday 2nd May, 10am to 12pm at Thirsk Garden Centre!

This session is a community meetup, chosen by our AAC users themselves. No bookings, no forms, no fuss. Just turn up, grab a coffee, and enjoy some time with people who get it.

Whether you're an AAC user, a family member, or someone who supports communication, you are warmly welcome. All are invited.

📅 Saturday 2nd May

🕙 10am to 12pm

📍 Thirsk Garden

📩 [email protected]