Children and families across Hounslow will now find more than just swings and slides at their local playground.
A new partnership between West London NHS Trust, Hounslow Council and Lampton Greenspace has seen 14 communication boards installed across playgrounds in the borough, bringing inclusive communication support into the everyday play spaces used by children with speech, language and communication needs.
Communication boards feature symbols and words that children can point to during play, giving them another way to express what they want, make choices or comment on what they see around them.
The boards are already widely used in schools, nurseries and family hubs across Hounslow. Their installation in public playgrounds makes inclusive communication part of everyday community life, so that every child, regardless of their needs, can participate fully in play.
Katharine Long, Hounslow Children’s Clinical Service Lead for Speech and Language Therapy at West London said: "These communication boards are a simple but powerful tool to help children connect, express themselves and hopefully feel included.
“By placing these boards in everyday community spaces, the project helps raise awareness of alternative forms of communication and encourages a wider cultural shift toward inclusivity and understanding. We are proud that this work reflects national ambitions to improve communication access for all.”
Maria O'Brien, Chief Executive of West London NHS Trust, visited Lampton Park to see one of the installations first hand. She said: "This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose.
“By bringing communication support into the heart of our community, we are helping children feel included and confident wherever they are and that is exactly the kind of joined up, community focused care we are committed to."
Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, London Borough of Hounslow Council, said: “This project shows how working with our NHS colleagues and other valued partners can bring fantastic results for Hounslow’s children and parents.
“I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this vision a reality and help our children to develop while enjoying our wonderful green spaces. Together, we can continue to help families give all children across the borough the best start in life.”
Rita Fernandes, mother of service user Asher said:
“For Asher, communication boards aren't just signs, they're a voice, a choice and a pathway to inclusion. My son Asher is non-speaking and the boards help him express himself, make choices and feel understood in the community.
“Seeing them in our local park means our family feels that children like Asher are truly seen, included and valued. But these boards aren't just for children like Asher, they open up communication for every child, making play a more inclusive and welcoming experience for all children.
Supporting every child's best start
The initiative also supports the national Best Start for Life programme, which aims to give every child the strongest possible start in life. Early language and communication development sits at the core of this ambition, with research consistently showing its critical role in long term outcomes for learning, wellbeing and social development.
Find your local board
Hounslow residents are encouraged to visit their local playground and explore the new communication boards and share photographs on social media tagging @westlondonnhs. Fourteen communication boards are already in playgrounds across the borough, with a further four due to be installed shortly.
For more information on communication support for children in Hounslow, visit the speech and language therapy webpage.
