Nine-year-old Shay Martin from West Lothian has made headlines after launching a national joke-telling competition for primary schools across Scotland. The competition, titled VoiceBox 2025, was officially launched on Blue Monday at Murrayfield Primary School. The aim of the competition is not only to spread joy but also to highlight the importance of effective communication skills.
Shay Martin, a pupil in P6 at Murrayfield Primary School, won the school-level competition with his joke: “What do you call a dog with no legs? It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s not coming!” Judges selected Shay’s joke as the best in class, propelling him to the next round of the competition.
VoiceBox 2025 is organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and is a platform to celebrate the crucial role that communication plays in children’s development. The competition aims to inspire confidence, creativity, and connections among schoolchildren while emphasising the significance of communication skills and speech and language therapy.
Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, highlighted the power of humour and communication in bringing people together through VoiceBox. He stressed that speech and language therapy is not a luxury but a necessity, providing essential support for education, mental health, and employment opportunities.
The VoiceBox 2025 final is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 5, with finalists from various local authorities gathering at the Scottish Parliament. Hosted by Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, the event will be compered by journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, promising a day filled with laughter and fun. The competition’s winners will receive prizes from Collins Big Cat, a leading primary reading programme.
Lizzi Jones, Head of Sales and Marketing Scotland for Harper Collins Publishing, expressed pride in supporting VoiceBox to celebrate the power of communication and humour in nurturing creativity, confidence, and literacy among children. The competition prizes include book vouchers for the winners’ schools and toy gift cards for the top three participants.
In conclusion, Shay Martin’s initiative in launching a national joke-telling competition showcases his creativity and passion for promoting communication skills among children. The VoiceBox 2025 competition serves as a reminder of the vital role that effective communication plays in children’s development and overall well-being.