Diary of an SLT

Ruth chatted with Charmaine Tearle from April Cottage Therapies in this latest episode. Not only running her own therapy business, but Charmaine is also the current Treasurer in the ASLTIP Executive Board.Charmaine shares much about her journey as an SLT thus far, and also highlights some aspirations she has over the next five years. Such a lovely episode for anyone who is still curious about how much variety us SLTs can have in our working week. You can follow Charmaine on instagram and linkedIn Find our more about ASLTIP here too

Laura Keeling is chatting with me in this episode. She has continued to work with both adults and paediatric clients within her independent practice .She talks about why she loves both clients groups so much. Laura also highlights the variety in her working week, and how she liaises with a wealthy of services to support the holistic needs of her caseload. This is an insightful discussion into a busy SLT practice.You can find out more about Laura via instagram , her website and linkedin

In this episode, Alison Ferris, Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Consultant at Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland joined me for a chat. Alison is 25 years qualified as an SLT and she talks honestly about all the roles that led her to take up a position within the PHA.Alison shares about her working week and how two working weeks never look the same, but she loves that about her current role. Alison has can access via LinkedIn and is always up for having a chat about the diversity of this profession.Alison also talks about the RCSLT Hub of which she has been a member for 10[ish] years. This episode's very much worth a listen.

In this episode I meet Rachel Cohen, who now describes herself as a register intermediary and intuitive coach. Rachel qualified as an SLT and soon discovered a passion for criminal justice work. She set up a not for profit cooperative which is thriving - https://theintermediarycooperative.co.uk/conference/Rachel is so open during our chat and provided top tips for any professionals interested in moving into criminal justice work.Rachel can be follow on LinkedIn and InstagramThe IFJ website can be accessed here

Ruth had a good chat with Jan Baerselman in this latest episode. Jan is a seasoned SLT who has specialised in supporting children with SLCN in education settings for most of her career – around 20 years in the NHS and 10 years in the independent sector.  She spends half her working week providing professional supervision & support to Independent SLTs and specialist school staff.The other half of her time is dedicated to voluntary, profession-supporting activities such as work for RCSLT, action research, providing workshops & webinars and her podcast series ‘SLT Stories’ available on Spotify. Launched in 2024, @SLTStories is where she downloads her wisdom and pivotal stories from her career into bite-sized, accessible, insightful podcasts - recently inviting ex-clients to talk about their SLT journey. A pioneer in providing innovative practice education experiences for SLT students, she speaks nationally about encouraging Independent Practitioners to involve students in their practice to improve what they can offer to clients. You can find out more about Jan, link in with her and follow her via:- Direct link to SLT Stories podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rpSPD3JdokHz8XIsaN7H3?si=c2b528ddf1d24fe0- Instagram - @SLTStories Jan Baerselman (@sltstories) • Instagram photos and videos- Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-baerselman-a3085b65- Website: www.talkingoutcomes.co.uk- Email: jan@talkingoutcomes.co.uk

We have reached a milestone! The podcast is a year old, and to celebrate the microphone was flipped. In this episode Ruth drafted in Ruth Sedgewick from RCSLTNI and episode 1 fame, to ask the questions and find out more about our usual host!Over the last two seasons many guests have asked Ruth C when she would be a guest on her own podcast, so we thought the start of season 3 was the perfect spot to meet their requests.Ruth C has plenty to share and Ruth S had plenty of questions to ask…so have a listen and see what you think about this comedy double act!Ruth C can be contacted via both instagram and Linked In Ruth S can be contacted via both instagram and Linked In

Emma Ahern, owner of Zebra Therapy, joined Ruth for this latest episode and what a great chat they had!Emma was very open about her journey into SLT and how it was her initial plan, after starting a degree in animal studies at Queen's University….however thanks to an opportune moment with a colleague in a care home she explore the SLT profession and finally completed her Masters at Essex University. In 2016 Emma then began working in an independent practice and the rest as they say, is history. She is all over instagram with her honest reels and neuro affirming posts about the passionate works that now fills her week.To follow Emma and find more about all the amazing project ideas she has, as well as how her ECG rosource develops, you can find her via:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeebratherapy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-ahern-b0a2758a/

Well this was a fun one! Ruth chats to Emma Harrison, Clinical Director at Speech Buddies in the North East of England. Emma talks about her love of building her team over the last 5 years, and how she started working as an assistant on a speech therapy team before plunging into the speech therapy degree.Emma is also very much into mindfulness as she works, allowing time for herself, while building her brand. Have a listen to her honest insight into everything she has achieved over the last 20 years. You can also follow Emma on social media via:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechbuddiesuk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-harrison-ba-hons-msc-rcslt-hpcp-asltip-81185243/

Kate Burgess joined Ruth this week, but who is Kate? Owner of "we can commikate" and founder of "Pippin Speech" App, Kate talks candidly to Ruth about why she set up her independent practice post lockdown, and then how this lead to the creation of her app to support parents and caregivers with key tools to develop communication at home. During this conversation Kate is open about how she is constantly learning and developing her skillset, also that her business will grow as children's needs develop. She wants to be that voice of "early intervention" for so many families. Kate is a busy bee, due to juggling both these businesses alongside being a mummy of two!To find out more about Kate you can follow her on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pippinspeech/https://www.instagram.com/wecancommunikate/As well as LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-burgess-7a7973144/You can also check out her websites:https://www.wecancommunikate.co.uk/about-ushttps://www.pippinspeech.com

Kirsten Howells, SLT and Deputy CEO & Services Director at STAMMA joined Ruth this week. During this wholesome conversation between the pair, Kirsten opens about about her personal experience of stammering, and how this lead her to train as an SLT. Training as an SLT then opened a huge number of opportunities for her, and she talks about her work other part of the world one the years. Kirsten is so passionate about her current role, and this comes across through her chat with Ruth.You can following Kirsten via her LinkedIn profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-howells-787ba7b/You can find out more about STAMMA via: https://www.instagram.com/stammauk/https://stamma.org

During this episode Ruth chats with Jessie Kinchin, who is currently in her second year of the apprenticeship degree programme through BCU. SLT apprenticeship programme are currently only available in England, however it is hoped these will roll out across the country in the next number of years.Jessie talks openly about her path into the programme and how she has found the balance between studying, being on placement and also holding down a job to pay her way throughout the week. You can follow Jessie on her instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/jkinchin/You can also find out more about SLT apprenticeship programmes via https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/become-a-speech-and-language-therapist/apprenticeships/

Ruth took a different direction on this weeks episode having a chat with Ashley Boal, Occupational Therapist and founder of Let's Talk Sensory in NI. Ashley made a decision during her maternity leave to set you a parents group called "Tummy Timers" to encourage parents about the huge benefits of tummy time with their newborns. Ashley opens up about how OT wasn't her initial pathway but that she soon knew it was her calling. Ruth and Ashley have an honest conversation in this episode so why not have a listen....Ashley can be followed via her social media accounts:- instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tummytimersballymena/- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-boal-647384bb/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Lets-Talk-Sensory-NI/61558928881855/

Bryony Rust, Independent SLT and author of "How to Help Non Speaking Children in the Early Years" joined Ruth this episode. What a treat for Ruth! Ruth has been a huge fan of Bryony since Covid in 2020 - Bryony was bossing teletherapy through the pandemic ensuring families across the country had support when they most needed it. In this episode Bryony chats about her journey into SLT and how she has always been fascinated about "communication". She also provides insight into the paths she took to write her first book which is now on sale. Have a listen as Bryony tells all....Bryony's website can be accessed via https://www.saltbythesea.comShe can be found on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/salt_bythesea/ and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryonyrust/For anyone wanting to purchase her book you can find it on https://www.amazon.co.uk/Help-Non-Speaking-Children-Early-Years/dp/1032295198/ref=sr_1_1?crid=O11IYUBV7HKW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mmrs9yIKr7JsageESvBguVylppDgyvY3OrRhy8ErdfGHVtaGW80QLp2HgEdpJf-E.vsK9JPm_UUBWTfXVPG5oUfr4DxYUcumqtkZbtXtjyIA&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+help+non-speaking+children+in+the+early+years&qid=1743344821&sprefix=how+to+help+non%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1

Emma Sharrock, owner of Core Speech caught up with Ruth to explain why the move to Australia post Covid really inspired her to start her independent practice when she returned home. Emma is a force in the field of AAC and has set up a shop element to her website so that anyone can give AAC a go at minimal expense. Have a listen as Emma explains all. Emma's website can be accessed via this linkFollow Emma's instagram page hereShe can also be found on linkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sharrock/

What can we really say about Cathy Shilling? Owner of The Speech Den, proactive in her field at ensuring all SLTs know as much as possible about GLP, and all round lovely person who wants to make communication key in everyone's life.Ruth had an opportunity to chat with Cathy last month, when she gained "hot off the press" information about her future conferences running the UK, her general practice development and what she loves about being an SLT in clinical practice. Have a listen and find out more. For more information about Cathy you can access her website here Her linkedIn profile hereHer instagram page here

Ruth had the opportunity to chat with Steve Jamieson, CEO at RCSLT last month. Steve is approaching his second year of being in post and it was an opportunity for Ruth to find out what he has been enjoying, what challenges have arisen as well as finding out why he applied for the role in the first place.  Steve talks really openly about his love of the RCSLT and how he enjoys getting to meet members right across the UK.  Have a listen as the CEO explains why he believes there should be more SLTs in leadership roles, and how our profession is more diverse than the public acknowledge.  RCSLT link: https://www.rcslt.org/ Steve’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-jamieson-41776130/

Episode 16 gave Ruth the opportunity to chat with Sarah Kelly, Speech and Language Therapist and owner of Playeasy.ie.  Sarah is combining her Montessori teaching degree  and Masters in Speech and Language to provide independent SLT session in Dublin, while creating and selling educational toys to support early development skills in children. She is bossing it! Sarah is passionate about her business, this shines throughout the episode. She is also honest about how hard running a business can be during a pandemic.  You can follow Sarah via her Instagram page @playeasy.ie Her lovely toys her sold via her website: https://www.playeasy.ie Sarah is also in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-kelly-3325b318/

On the latest episode Ruth talks to Jodie Mills PhD researcher in Speech and Language Therapy at Ulster University.Jodie talks openly about her decision to continue her studies post graduation from her undergraduate degree. She is so passionate about her current research alongside Parkinson’s UK.She discusses her top tips for anyone considering doing further research in their field, as well as the highs & lows throughout her journey to date. You can find out more about Jodie’s research via Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-m-3228b9307/ She also has a linktree option to stay up-to-date with her research - https://linktr.ee/JodieMills Jodie also talks about her work with https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

This week Ruth chats with Pete Bradley, Watch Commander with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Pete talks openly about his stammer, and why this lead him to make communication access training mandatory with the fire and rescue service here. He also highlights what drove him to start up Belfast Stammer Support Group with his mate Jamie. Useful links: Find Pete via Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-bradley-2a5751157/ Find out more about Communication Access UK - https://communication-access.co.uk Find out more about Belfast Stammer Support Group - https://www.belfaststammersupport.com

Maeve Lappin, Independent SLT and Clinical Behavioural Analyst chats with Ruth about her career journey. Maeve has done it all! From graduating in NI, to taking up post on Scotland, then flying off to Australia to work in the outback....you'd think that was enough. However, she then returned to NI to work in trust locally before taking up a lecturing post in Ulster University. During her time lecturing she deciding to add to her bow and become a Clinical Behavioural Analyst, most recently adding ACT [ Acceptance and Commitment Therapy] into her daily practice. Maeve talks so openly about the challenges she has faced, but also the joy she has in supporting adults who stammer. To follow Maeve, you can do so via instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maevelappinslactt/ And to find out more about ACT you can check our her course via Course Beetle: https://coursebeetle.co.uk/presenters/maeve-lappin/