Since 1993 the VCN has provided voice workshops and voice coaching delivered by Speech and Language Therapists and Voice Teachers nationwide. They combine their skills from voice therapy and voice teaching to provide workshops for teachers and others whose occupation makes heavy use of their voice. Teachers' responses to workshops - "awareness of potential...drink water, avoid throat clearing...improved tone and control of voice...using breath to support projection...value of voice to produce a variety of ways of speaking...more enjoyment of words..." david-pic-aug-07-web-008.jpg The workshops are based on the collective knowledge and experience of the Tutors. The sessions give an understanding and experience of:
  • how the voice works and is controlled
  • how to take care of your voice and prevent problems
  • voice management and skills in spoken delivery
The examples below give an idea of how the VCN meets needs and interests.

Introductory Voice Workshop

"Are You Speaking Comfortably?!" The mechanism of voice and voice production are introduced with ways to avoid problems and keep the voice healthy. Exercises release tension, ease posture and breathing, increase resonance. Techniques for effective management and control of voice and oral delivery are discussed with the group. Please go to 'Workshops' for a typical format. Time: approximately two hours Numbers: up to 20 (low numbers allow individual needs to be discussed)

One Day Voice Workshop

Using Your Voice How the vocal mechanism works, how to avoid problems includes ways to keep the voice healthy. The practical work is carried out in detail and depth, with time to explore vocal range, voice projection, and apply skills for managing groups, or reading aloud, or work on words and text. Numbers: 12 – 30 (again, low numbers give time for individual discussion and coaching) david-pic-aug-07-web-022.jpg Amongst other occupational voice users, VCN tutors work with over 3,000 trainee teachers each year. They deliver workshops on their own but in some geographical locations joint workshops are possible. The focus for the speech therapists is on voice care, vocal health and the prevention of difficulties with voice. Both the Tutors, Therapist and Voice Teacher jointly work on efficient voice production. The voice teacher introduces exercises to increase vocal range and flexibility, and skills in spoken delivery. The VCN tutors welcome requests for workshops. Regularly and annually voice is introduced for PGCE (Secondary and Primary), BEd., BA(QTS), Graduate Trainee Programme, School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), Colleges of Law, Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT), School INSET (Primary and Secondary), University Lecturers, Adult Education and Residential Colleges, WEA, magistrates, preachers, law students, nurse lecturers, trainers, call centre workers, and many more.

Workshop Fees

In the case of workshop bookings, fees are organised centrally through the Office. Where Tutors have received bookings directly, the fees are set by themselves directly with the client with a percentage contributed to the office. The Tutor will take into account the client needs, the time available and travel involved. Fees can range from £50-£100 per hour. At joint workshops there is a separate fee for each Tutor. For workshop enquires and requests go to Contact Us. Voice tutors in some areas provide personal coaching. The fees vary between regions and tutors. Clients are recommended to discuss fees directly with the tutors. For voice coaching enquires go to Contact Us. Speech and Language Therapists do not provide therapy within the VCN. Some of them work in the private health care sector, or independently. When they work as a voice therapist all clients or patients, will have had to have an ENT consultation. Members activities VCN developments are reported in the newsletter Voice Matters. VCN keeps in touch with developments, gives practical help with research when possible, and carries out small surveys when time and opportunity allow. We make contact with organisations that control and organise education and training. GTC for Scotland 2002, the work of the VCN is mentioned in the report “Voice and the Teaching profession”.In 2003 Health & Safety Commission School Advisory Education Committee (SEAC) endorsed the VCN booklet/guide “More Care for Your Voice” See - Publications.The DfES and DoH in "Fitness to Teach" in 2000, acknowledged the possible voice risks in teaching, and indications that voice training could reduce problems. HELA report December 2001 to Directors of Environmental Health. For "Advice on Call Centre Working Practices" VCN was consulted on voice care. A small range of VCN publications support our work. See - Publications.