Help children like Amy find their voice

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“On the last day, I cried because I didn’t want to come home.”

That’s not what Amy expected to happen.

When she was 11 and had just started senior school, Amy was afraid of talking at all.

Reading out loud was the worst for her.

“I can still remember my face going hot and my throat closing… I’d clam up rather than risk it.”

Amy stayed silent because she was scared of being taunted and mocked. 

We offered Amy a place on our Talking Out residential programme. 

Something unexpected happened

Amy was terrified on the drive there. Her hands were cold and clammy. She had no idea what to expect. 

But by the last day, she was in tears – because she didn’t want to leave. 

“I remember sitting together in a circle at Bewerley Park with young people from all different areas of the country and we spoke about how stammering makes us all feel. 

For the first time, I heard other voices that sounded like mine…  

I felt at home, like I could really connect and make friends without having to explain things. I’d never had that before.” 

Today, Amy is 16 and loves drama. She gets on stage and expresses herself like nothing else. 

“Action for Stammering Children have really helped me. I have a lot more confidence in my abilities now.”