Speaking up for the COVID generation

With 1.5 million children and young people at risk of being left behind, as they struggle to speak and understand language, due to Covid-19 – we know there’s never been a better time to reinvest in I CAN, the children’s communication charity. I CAN supports children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) to fulfil their potential and it has ambitious plans to further expand the reach and influence of the services it provides.

SBT’s reinvestment will include in-kind support from partners Permira and Schroders to develop and digitise their tried and tested programmes for schools and update their marketing and communications so more children can benefit from the work they do. Alongside support to expand the Meath School, rated outstanding by Ofsted, to include secondary pupils.

Riccardo Basile from Permira continues to provide strategic advice and support as in his roles as Investment Director and trustee, alongside Luke Manning from Refinitiv who joined the board of trustees in 2020.

We are delighted that the Social Business Trust (SBT) has agreed to reinvest in our work – it has never been more crucial to help children to speak and understand language. Over the next two years SBT will support us digitise our evidence-based programmes for children, our advice to parents and to assess other options to expand our impact. I strongly believe that this partnership will bring essential skills to our charity and help us to reach more children who are desperately in need of support after the covid pandemic. - Jane Harris, CEO, I CAN

Anthony, who is an ICAN beneficiary, attended our last Investment Committee and gave powerful testimony to the value of ICAN’s services. To hear how I CAN had impacted him and his family really brought I CAN’s incredible work to life for us. We are delighted to be reinvesting to help I CAN expand its services, digitise offerings and become an important influence in the sector and ultimately help more young people like Anthony become confident and happy communicators.
– Adele Blakebrough MBE, CEO, SBT

SBT first invested in I CAN in 2015.

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