Our Services & Mission
Communicate 2U is a social enterprise based in Birmingham, West Midlands . The company was set up in response to the number of people with learning disabilities being left isolated from society and unable to get the support they need due to poor communication within the health and social care sectors. Poor communication in these sectors has been proven to cause unnecessary harm and avoidable deaths for the most vulnerable people in our society.
Our mission is to improve the communication in these sectors through training, research, and innovation, whilst working collaboratively alongside people with learning disabilities and those who have alternative communication needs. The company was set up in 2011 by Annette Roebuck who is an Occupational Therapist and a director of Communicate 2U. The company's ethos is grounded in Occupational therapy theories and values, supported by Annette's book 'Rethinking Communication in Health and Social Care'.
The Communicate 2U team is made up of occupational therapists and job coaches each bringing to the company a unique set of experience and skills in areas such as healthcare, education, and performing arts.
"In health and social care settings it's important to remember that not everyone uses words to communicate"
Annette Roebuck (Communicate 2U Director)
What we do
Communicate 2U works in collaboration with Selly Oak Trust School and partner colleges in Birmingham.
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Each year we work with a group of young people with learning disabilities to deliver our services to organisations and businesses. Communicate 2U always uses creative methods to get our message across and we believe using drama, music and film also makes our sessions enjoyable for everyone involved, and because its fun people are more likely to remember the important messages behind our work.
Over recent years we have provided training and support to organisations such as Coventry University, The Royal College of Nurses, Birmingham & Solihull Hospitals, Newman University and Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust.
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Alongside our services we run a supported internship course for the young people giving them the opportunity to gain further work experience in the local community and complete a qualification in life and work skills.
Services we offer
Training in Communication Skills
Communicate 2U runs communication training for organisations and businesses. Aiming to improve the accessibility of services and give staff the skills they need to communicate effectively with the most vulnerable people in our society.
Creation of easy-read materials
Communicate 2U often uses easy-read or visual materials in order to improve accessibility for the young people we work with and we can help organisations and businesses to do the same. This could include leaflets, information books, and signage.
Service Audits
The company offers audits for organisations and businesses looking at communication within staff and also the accessibility of spaces for those with a learning disability. We can then offer training or solutions to any risks that are assessed.
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Research
The company has expertise in supporting research projects where the perspective of the C2U Interns is needed.
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Product Evaluation
Communicate 2U can evaluate products or literature to see how accessible it is for the young people we work with. We can then offer solutions and helpful advice to make the product more accessible which may include the creation of easy-read material.
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Consultancy
We also offer communication consultancy for individuals or organisations working in sectors where vulnerable people are present and need to be heard with specialist experience in health & social care, education, and forensic services.
Feedback for our Work
"Very Simple to understand, making me realise communication
does not always have to be a serious conversation with words"
Participant from Royal College of Nurses (2019)
Please see our gallery for examples of our work, If you are interested in any of our services, please get in touch through our contact page.