THE ROBIN TAVISTOCK AWARD
The Robin Tavistock Award is presented annually to a person, or group, who it is felt, has made a significant contribution in the field of aphasia. This contribution could be for helping people with aphasia, for personally overcoming aphasia, for crucial research work, or for making a financial commitment to aphasia; essentially this award will go to someone or a group who is inspirational and who has made a major difference.
THE ROBIN TAVISTOCK AWARD 2010
PROFESSOR CHRIS CODE MA PHD FBPSS FRCSLT
The Trustees of the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia are delighted to announce that Professor Chris Code is the fifth recipient of The Robin Tavistock Award.
This award, named after Robin Tavistock, the 14th Duke of Bedford who founded The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia, is presented annually to a person, or group, who has made a significant contribution in the field of aphasia.
Chris Code has made an exceptional contribution in raising the profile, awareness and understanding of aphasia. To list all his achievements: posts held, publications, professional activities and honours would take far too much time and space. To name but a few, Chris is currently a Professorial Research Fellow in the School of Psychology at the University of Exeter, Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Sydney (Hon), visiting professor University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Fellow of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Chris is also, on a voluntary basis, a Patron of AphasiaNow, a ground breaking website run by and for people with aphasia and he is a National Advisor to Speakability, a UK wide charity that supports and empowers people with aphasia.
It is, however, particularly for his role as co-founder in 1987 and Editor in Chief to this day, of Aphasiology that the TTA recognises his extraordinary contribution. To quote Clinical Aphasiology: ‘Professor Code has made a galvanizing impact on the field: as a savant, a motivator and an impresario of trends which have resulted in several significant developments in the field.’
Chris Code has dedicated a huge part of his life to furthering the understanding of the issues that surround aphasia. In 2007 the degree to which he is respected by his peers was made evident when Clinical Aphasiology, Future Directions – a festschrift for Chris Code, edited by Ball and Damico, was published. "A true testimony to Chris Code's three decades at the heart of aphasia research; this is a fitting tribute from the aphasiology community to the substantial influence that Chris has had on the field of clinical aphasiology…" Anne Whitworth, University of Newcastle, UK.
The Trustees of the TTA are very grateful to the organising committee of the 14th International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference for the permission and assistance in announcing this news at their conference.
THE ROBIN TAVISTOCK AWARD 2009
DR JENNY DAUTLICH DFPH
Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford presented the award to Dr Jenny Dautlich on the 9th September at the British Aphasiology Society Biennial International Conference in Sheffield. The award came as a wonderful surprise to Jenny and she was pleased to accept the award on behalf of the many aphasic people who are trying to help others.
Jenny said “It was four years ago, as participants at the international conference for aphasia in Sheffield that we felt there was a need for a platform by and for people living with aphasia. AphasiaNow was born!”
AphasiaNow is a forum run by, and established for, people with aphasia. It is a place where people can find useful information, interesting articles and vital encouragement. It is a place where people, wherever they are, can share experience and pass on expertise. The website has not only grown into one of the best websites about aphasia, it has also enabled a virtual community to evolve. In 2007, AphasiaNow hosted its own two day conference.
Jenny’s determination and single mindedness has achieved so much in such a short space of time, both personally and for so many. She is an inspiration to many people and so deserved this award.
THE ROBIN TAVISTOCK AWARD 2008
CONNECT - THE COMMUNICATION DISABILITY NETWORK
(left to right) Sally Byng, Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford and Phyllis Campbell-McRae, Chief Executive of Connect
The award was presented by Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford at a ceremony at The King’s Fund on 9 December. Sally Byng, who co-founded Connect with Carole Pound in 2000, received the award on behalf of Connect.
Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford said, ‘We are delighted that the first Robin Tavistock Award to be given to a group should go to Connect. Their impact and influence on how people with aphasia can re-connect with life has been both inspirational and widespread. Since Sally Byng and Carole Pound founded Connect, the team has pioneered work in this field – and they continue to do so, through projects such as the Access to Life Project in Cornwall’.
THE ROBIN TAVISTOCK AWARD 2007
PROFESSOR JANE MARSHALL
When making the presentation Henrietta Bedford said “Jane became a Professor at a young age which in itself is recognition of her exceptional abilities. “Super Efficiency” is what she is known for and as a result what she is able to accomplish leaves others in awe. Being calm and collected is another of her attributes combined with a wicked sense of humour, which we have all enjoyed today in her speech! There is no doubt that Jane is an inspiration – how much she cares, how much compassion motivates her work and the depth and integrity in all that she does has made a significant difference in the world of aphasia…”
THE INAUGURAUL ROBIN TAVISTOCK AWARD 2006
EIRIAN JONES
This award has been named after the founder of the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia. Robin suffered a massive brain haemorrhage which left him with aphasia, a severe and distressing speech loss which is experienced by nearly a third of people who survive a stroke. He was extremely fortunate to have had intense speech therapy with Eirian Jones, who was head of speech and language therapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge at the time.
Eirian who is now retired, has had a long and distinguished career as a speech and language therapist. She has had a significant influence on the development of aphasia therapy in the United Kingdom. Over her career, she has steadfastly raised the profile and impact of therapy for people with aphasia, both within the profession of speech and language therapists and with other health care professionals, contributing to both the clinical and research literature.
As lecturer at City University London and head of the Department of Speech and Language Therapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge she demonstrated first hand her genius for facilitating the return of language in people with even very severe aphasia. She developed a distinctive insightful, intuitive, intellectual and effective approach to therapy for language impairments. She has also made a significant contribution to her professional body by becoming chairman of the then College of Speech Therapists at a very young age.
It was therefore very apt that Eirian Jones became the first recipient of the Robin Tavistock Award. For had Eirian and Robin not met The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia would never have been created.
Since accepting the first Robin Tavistock Award, Eirian was invited to become a Trustee of the TTA, which she graciously accepted. She is a valued member of the team.
THE TAVISTOCK TRUST