I became interested in becoming a Speech and Language Therapist when in my gap year before university I completed some voluntary work caring for a disabled student at Essex university.  She could not move or speak and used an alphabet board to communicate. It was challenging but very rewarding when I learnt how to communicate with her most effectively.

 

I qualified from City University with a PGDip in Speech and Language Therapy in 2005 following an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology at Sussex university.  I started working in Surrey for the NHS seeing children aged 0-5 years in the community, in clinics, nurseries and their homes alongside working in a specialist school for secondary aged children with moderate learning difficulties.  

 

I have had a wide range of experience in the NHS working in language units in primary schools, treating children in mainstream primary and secondary schools and with pre-school children.  I have also developed a specialism for working with children and young people who stammer.  We relocated to Poole in 2018 where I continue to work part-time for the NHS alongside my independent work. As a family with three children, I can empathise with the joys and challenges of parenting and concern that a communication difficulty can bring. I am keen to work closely with families to help their child reach their communication potential.