Connecting and Communicating Together (CCT)
An International Collaboration Project
Connecting and Communicating Together is an emerging international collaboration project developed by Anderson Therapies.
The project brings children and young people together to explore communication, connection and belonging across different strengths, needs, cultures and lived experiences. Each collaboration is co-designed with local partners and shaped by the children and young people who take part.
The project also creates opportunities to learn alongside practitioners, families and communities, contributing to the ongoing development of the Communication for Connection Framework.
Why This Matters
Communication is shaped by relationships, identity, belonging, culture and the environments we share.
The project begins by exploring what matters most to children and young people. From there, participants become curious about the role communication might play in helping them connect with others and move towards what matters to them.
As children and young people learn alongside one another, they discover shared ways of connecting, learn from different strengths and perspectives, and experience communication as something created together.
Together, new possibilities emerge that are often difficult to create alone.
The project is grounded in inclusion by creating spaces where communication can be explored, experienced and developed together.
What the Project Involves
Each collaboration is developed with local partners and adapted to the local community.
Typically delivered over two to three weeks, the project creates opportunities for children and young people to:
- explore what communication means to them
- discover what helps them connect with others
- experiment with different ways of communicating, including spoken language, creativity, movement and shared activities
- reflect on their experiences together
- create ideas and approaches that can continue within their community after the project has ended
Alongside this, children and young people have opportunities to share what they have discovered with the people who matter to them, whether that is family members, teachers, practitioners or the wider community. Sharing their stories creates opportunities for others to learn alongside them, helping to strengthen relationships and support longer-term sustainability.
Who Can Partner with CCT?
Connecting and Communicating Together (CCT) can be adapted for schools and organisations that support children and young people, including community groups, youth organisations and other settings where children learn, connect and participate together.
The framework is suitable for both primary and secondary-aged children and young people and does not rely on formal diagnoses, assessments or identified communication needs. Instead, it brings together children and young people with different communication styles, strengths and experiences to learn with and from one another.
The project is designed to create opportunities for children and young people to:
- Better understand one another.
- Develop more flexible ways of communicating in everyday interactions.
- Build greater awareness of different communication styles and what matters to one another.
- Contribute to more inclusive and connected communities.
Each pilot is developed in partnership with the host organisation, recognising that every school, community and culture has its own strengths, priorities and ways of working. Rather than introducing a fixed programme, the aim is to learn alongside educators, community practitioners and young people, adapting the framework to fit the local context while remaining grounded in the shared principles of communication, connection and belonging.
Working in Partnership
Every collaboration is developed in partnership with local organisations and communities.
Partnership opportunities may include:
- Co-facilitator Partner - supporting delivery, participation and shared learning throughout the project.
- Advisory Partner - providing local knowledge, cultural insight and reflective support.
- Host Organisation - coordinating the project locally and supporting participation by children and young people.
Funding
Connecting and Communicating Together (CCT) is not a commercial service for children and young people.
Projects are intended to be delivered through commissioning arrangements, partnerships, grants or other appropriate funding agreed with host organisations. The aim is to remove financial barriers to participation wherever possible.
Looking Ahead
Each collaboration contributes to a growing understanding of communication, connection and belonging across different communities and cultures.
The learning from each collaboration helps shape the ongoing development of the Communication for Connection Framework while leaving knowledge, relationships and practical approaches with local partners.
Interested in Exploring a Partnership?
If your school or organisation is interested in exploring whether Connecting and Communicating Together (CCT) could support the children and young people you work with, I would be delighted to have an informal conversation.
An initial conversation is an opportunity to learn about your setting, discuss your priorities and explore whether a pilot project could be adapted to meet the needs of your children and young people.