STAMMA SUPPORTS LAUNCH OF BBC STAMMERING NETWORK

The BBC will launch its Internal Stammering Support Network on 10th June. This follows hard on the footsteps of ‘I Can’t Say My Name’, the acclaimed documentary which aired on March 10^th this year, which saw its presenter, Felicity Baker, being inundated by messages of support from the public as well as from staff at the Corporation.

News presenter Sophie Raworth, Strategy Director Gautam Rangarajan, News Producer Felicity Baker and Sports Librarian Clive Collins will launch the network, which will be open to all BBC employees who stammer or who are touched by the issue. The launch is being broadcast internally via Zoom to staff working in their offices. The launch is supported by STAMMA Patron, Jonty Claypole, former Director of Arts at the BBC.

Jane Powell, CEO at STAMMA said “We were delighted to be asked by the BBC to provide guidance on support networks for staff. Many people try and hide their stammer because of the stigma around stammering. Every good employer will want to get the best from all of their employees, and this network signals an invaluable source of support and information around stammering to all those at the corporation who stammer”.

Clive Collins, a founder member of the BBC staff network said “Among our thousands of employees we know quite a few who have a stammer. Our new Support Network allows all those who stammer to find support, information and to meet others who stammer, which could have a dramatic impact on their work and lives, so it is brilliant to launch it”.