Plymouth Marjon University society making waves in sport inclusivity

Released: 06.05.25

As President of the Giving Voice society, Ella James, a third-year BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy student at Plymouth Marjon University, has been making a significant impact in the world of sport by raising awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN). Through a series of innovative sessions with sports teams led by Ella and the Giving Voice Society, Ella has sparked vital conversations on how sport can be more inclusive for all. 

Ella and her peers developed and led a unique approach to raising awareness of communication differences by organising sports activities where players participated in total silence. These sessions spanned a variety of sports, including lacrosse, cheerleading, table tennis, dance, women’s futsal, and under-11s football. Despite the physical nature of these activities, participants had to find ways to play without verbal communication, encouraging them to empathise with the daily struggles of individuals living with SLCN. 

The experience was eye-opening for many participants, some of whom shared their thoughts on the challenges they faced: 

"It was frustrating trying to understand what people were thinking." 

"It was an eye-opening experience, but really difficult." 

"I found it a lot harder than I thought it would be." 

"It made me think about how to support others that have a communication difficulty and how to make it easier for people." 

"It was tricky to communicate with the coaches if you were injured or needed help." 

Ella is the President of the Marjon Student Union’s Giving Voice Society, a group which is part of a national campaign led by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). The campaign aims to "give voice" to people with SLCN, ensuring their needs—and those of their carers and families—are addressed, while also demonstrating the positive impact of speech and language therapy on individuals and communities across the UK. The society worked collaboratively to put this project into action and bring SLCN inclusion to the surface in sport. 

Ella commented, "I'm really passionate about helping people and working to create a world where people with SLCN can truly feel included in society. People with communication difficulties face many challenges every day, so encouraging others to think more empathetically can help create a more inclusive world." 

Alex Mallinson, Programme Lead of the Speech and Language Therapy course at Marjon, praised Ella’s commitment to making a difference:  

"The SLT department is very proud of the work the Giving Voice Society have done with this and other projects to raise public awareness of communication differences and disability. Working with such a range of sports teams is particularly innovative and a powerful way of empowering others to promote diversity and inclusivity in sport." 

Ella’s efforts reflect Marjon’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for students to make a meaningful impact in the community. Through initiatives like the Giving Voice Society, students like Ella are championing the cause of inclusion, ensuring that individuals with SLCN can fully participate in all aspects of life, on and off the sports field. 

In September 2025, Marjon’s speech and language therapy students and clinic, alongside many others, will be learning and working from the University’s new facility. The Marjon Health & Wellbeing Hub will house the majority of Plymouth Marjon’s health and care courses and community clinics, working to increase collaborations, knowledge exchange, and provide greater opportunities to access healthcare for the local and regional community, helping to relieve pressure on the NHS in Devon. 

Learn more about the Marjon Student Union and its societies here, or find out more about speech and language at Marjon here.