BBC launches staff stammering network

10th June 2021

The new BBC Stammering Support Network launches today, helping its employees who stammer in the workplace.

Staff at another big employer have set up a support network specially for those who stammer.

Following the success of similar networks within the NHS, the Civil Service and the Armed Forces, the BBC Stammering Support Network is open to anyone employed by the broadcaster affected who is affected by stammering and looking for support in the workplace.

The idea came about following the documentary 'I Can't Say My Name', which aired on BBC One earlier this March. In it, producer Felicity Baker spoke openly to colleague and broadcaster Sophie Raworth (both pictured above) about how stammering affects her in the BBC Newsroom.

• Watch Felicity Baker & Sophie Raworth talk to STAMMA

After it went out, Felicity was inundated with messages of support not only from viewers, but from staff at the Corporation too, with some saying they also stammer. She got together with fellow founding members Clive Collins (Sports Librarian) and Gautam Rangarajan (Director) and the Network was born.

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.

BBC Stammering Support Network Co-founder Clive Collins

Today sees its official launch, with Felicity, Clive and Gautam being joined by Sophie Raworth for a special event being broadcast internally to staff via Zoom. It is being supported by STAMMA Patron Jonty Claypole, former Director of Arts at the BBC.

Clive Collins 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".

• Become a STAMMA member for free

Jane Powell, STAMMA CEO, 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".

If you work for the BBC and would like to join the Network, email BBCStammeringNetwork@stamma.org for more information. Want to set up a similar network at your place of work? Email us at mail@stamma.org and we'll give you some pointers.

(Photo courtesy of the BBC)