Author: The Elizabeth Foundation Backup

It is with profound sadness we announce our founder, Shirley Metherell MBE, has passed away.

We are delighted to announce that The Elizabeth Foundation has been accredited by the leading children’s communication charity I CAN as an Early Talk Specialist Level Service – their highest level of accreditation.

Shirley and David Metherell set up The Elizabeth Foundation in 1981 to help preschool deaf children learn to listen and talk. During 2021, we will be marking the first 40 years of the charity’s work in a variety of ways.

Portsmouth business leader Tom Holloway was recently confirmed as the new Chair of The Elizabeth Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He takes over the role from the previous Chair, Dr Peter Ardern, who remains on the Board as our longest-serving Trustee.

We are delighted to announce that the first section of our Learning through music resource is now available free-of-charge on the Let’s Listen and Talk website. This section provides 10 activity-based songs to use with babies with all degrees of deafness.

During their 2021 Appeal Show broadcast nationally on BBC1 on Friday 19 March 2021, Comic Relief featured a film showing the progress of Arlo, who attended The Elizabeth Foundation’s preschool services.

England Sevens Women’s rugby star Jodie Ounsley is ready to tackle a new challenge after becoming a Patron of The Elizabeth Foundation, the country’s leading charity for helping pre-school deaf children to listen and talk.

After careful consideration of official advice, consultation with parents, and extensive discussions amongst staff/trustees, we have re-opened our preschool nurseries on Monday 8 June 2020.