University News Last updated 10 October 2019
An inspiring teacher who overcame a stammer to support young people facing the same challenge, has landed a top national award in recognition of his work.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has presented Birmingham City University alumnus Abed Ahmed with a Giving Voice Award.
The award recognises Abed’s work sharing his experience of life with a stammer with the public to benefit others.
Abed currently works as a maths teacher in Birmingham having graduated from Birmingham City University in 2016.
He has shared his knowledge and positive experiences of stammering and speech and language therapy through the media, including BBC and ITV, on social media and through public speaking. He also runs a stammer support group for young people in his school.
The annual Giving Voice Awards celebrate those who have campaigned to highlight how speech and language therapy transforms lives. They are presented to individuals and organisations that have made particularly valuable contributions to improving the lives of people with communication and/or swallowing needs.
The judges were impressed with Abed’s commitment to highlighting the transformational impact speech and language therapy can have on people with communication difficulties.
On receiving the Award, Abed said: “Winning the Giving Voice award was an amazing feeling. Gill Rudd, a Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at Birmingham City University, nominated me for it and I have so much to thank her for.
Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex GCVO DStJ attended The Giving Voice Awards, as Patron of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, on 25 September 2019 at Council House, Nottingham.
Photograph by Geoff Wilson.