HSE South West helps children find their voice at Camp Dream. Speak. Live.

Young people from across Kerry who stammer will come together at MTU this summer for Camp Dream. Speak. Live. The camp is a week-long programme hosted by HSE South West that helps young people build confidence, communication skills and friendships – while also having fun.

Camp Dream. Speak. Live. is an evidence-based programme for children and teenagers who stammer. Rather than focusing on speaking fluently, the camp helps participants become confident communicators, whether they stammer or not. The programme has been shown to improve communication confidence, strengthen peer relationships, develop leadership skills and reduce the impact that stammering can have on everyday life.

The HSE South West Caring for Kerry campaign, highlights innovative services and the dedicated teams making a positive difference in communities across Kerry. This initiative is delivered by an experienced team of HSE South West speech and language therapists and represents the type of novel intervention the campaign seeks to promote.

Dr Mary O'Dwyer, Speech and Language Therapy Manager, HSE South West, European Specialist in Stuttering and camp organiser, said:

“Camp Dream. Speak. Live. gives children a space where they can be themselves, meet others who stammer and learn that their voice matters. We do not focus on ‘fixing’ stammering. Instead, we help children build confidence, resilience and communication skills so they can take part fully in school, sports and friendships. It is wonderful to see children grow in confidence over the course of the week and carry those skills with them long after the camp ends.”

Throughout the week, children take part in activities including bowling, creative workshops, open-mic challenges, team-building games, advocacy activities and trips to local attractions. Leaders from the Kerry community also visit the camp to speak about confidence, communication and leadership.

Camp Dream. Speak. Live. was developed by Dr Courtney Byrd, Founding Director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at the University of Texas at Austin. The Kerry camp was the second camp of its kind in Europe when it launched in 2019 and has become an important part of HSE South West speech and language therapy services for children who stammer. The camp also plays an important role in challenging myths and stereotypes around stammering and helping young people become strong self-advocates.

Julie O'Neill, HSE South West Healthcare Area Manager for Kerry said:

“HSE South West is proud to support Camp Dream. Speak. Live. Meeting other young people who stammer can be life-changing. Children learn they are not alone and that stammering does not stop them from being confident, successful communicators. The friendships, encouragement and sense of belonging created during the camp has a lasting positive impact.”

Research carried out before and after participation in the programme has found significant improvements in children's communication attitudes, quality of life and confidence in building relationships. Children who attend the camp often need less therapy support during the school year as they develop greater resilience, self-advocacy skills and confidence in their communication.

Former camp participant, Adam said:

“Camp Dream. Speak. Live. was one of the best weeks of my summer. I got to try lots of fun activities, make new friends and meet other people who stammer. Before the camp, I worried about speaking up in class and meeting new people. The camp helped me realise that stammering is just one part of who I am and that I can still do anything I want to do.”