Grants available for children’s speech, language and hearing development

Founded in 2019, the SLHF is a grant-making Trust which was formed by the founding members of Christopher Place, The Speech Language and Hearing Centre, a specialist nursery school for babies and young children with speech, language and hearing difficulties, which operated in Kings Cross, London, between 1995 to 2015.

Angela Harding, founder and board member of SLHF, said, ‘Christopher Place remains at the heart of the grant-making decisions now made by the board of trustees. We have always been passionate about innovative and child-centred early intervention for children with speech, language and hearing difficulties in nurseries and schools so that the youngest and most vulnerable members of society, particularly those that have been impacted by the pandemic, can benefit.’

Research published by the Education Endowment Foundation last week found that 76 per cent of children starting school last September needed more support with communication than in previous years as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

Ms Harding said, ‘We are  hoping to fund between five to 10 organisations. The amount of funding varies depending on need, and ranges from £500 to up to £15,000 for one to three years. This year, we have so far funded six projects promoting the education and therapeutic support of children who have difficulties with hearing, speech and language or who have complex needs.'

Applications are open solely to organisations that operate as charities registered with the Charity Commission, or charities that hold a Certificate of Exemption from the Inland Revenue. Overseas applicants must supply the details of a UK registered charity through which grants can be channelled on their behalf.

Trustees meet three times a year to consider grant applications on a rolling basis.