The 2011 Hello campaign awards is open for entries

The Hello campaign is inviting entrants to take part in the 'Shine a Light' 2011 Hello campaign awards for developing children and young people's communication.

Twelve awards are available including three 'Communication Friendly' awards, three 'Team of the Year' awards, an award for 'Communication Strategy' and 'Commissioning' as well as the 'Hello Young Person of the Year Award'.

Set to become the flagship event of the Hello campaign, the awards will 'shine a light' on the excellent work and achievement by the children's workforce in developing the communication skills of the children and young people they work with from birth to teenagers. These best practice exemplars will be shared with practitioners across the country to incentivise improved practice in 2011 and beyond.

Applications are encouraged from a wide range of settings, professionals and individuals - those who work with children and young people, those responsible for planning children's services as well as parents and young people. The winners will be celebrated at the 'Shine a Light' 2011 Hello campaign awards ceremony in London from 3-6pm on Wednesday 23 November.

Full details of the awards and how to apply are at www.helloawards.co.uk.

Wendy Lee, Professional Director for The Communication Trust, says:

"The Shine a Light 2011 Hello campaign awards are unique; they are the first and only national awards scheme to focus on children and young people's communication. At the heart of the Hello campaign is the fantastic work that takes place day to day by individuals, team and settings across the UK and these awards epitomise just this.

"By shining a light on the inspiring work that is taking place to support all children's communication and those communication difficulties, we can ensure individuals and teams get deservedly recognised. We also hope to enthuse and spur on others who through the national year of communication are starting to tackle this subject head on in a range of ways - from small grassroots projects through to larger area-wide initiatives. If you know a person or setting who has gone the extra mile to support communication development, then this may be their time to shine."

Hello campaign