SCHOOLCHILDREN across Worcestershire were encouraged to put their pens and pencils down earlier this month as part of a national event promoting the importance of communications skills.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s speech and language therapy team ran special listening lessons at Holly Mount Primary in Worcester, Chawson First School in Droitwich, and Defford Cum Besford CE First School as part of No Pens Day Wednesday on Wednesday, October 15.

Fifteen other schools in the county also held events as part of the national day, with activities including human battleships and performance poetry.

Speech and language therapy service manager Emma Jordan said communication skills played an important part in shaping children’s development.

“This event is an exciting opportunity to focus on learning differently and to highlight the importance of speaking and listening,” she said.

The event was set up by The Communication Trust, a coalition of nearly 50 voluntary organisations specialising in speech, language and communication and is now in its fourth year.