Diary of an SLT

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 studyi...

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 pathw...

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...

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 link...

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 practi...

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 m...

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 busine...

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 th...

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...

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 lect...

Lorraine Curran, SLT & Owner of Aptus Speech Therapy talks to Ruth about her journey from graduation. Lorraine started in an adult role, but upon returning to Ireland has focused on paediatrics. Now settled in Dublin she splits her week between independent clients and further app development. Over the years Lorraine has created a suite of apps for both adults and paediatrics. At present she is...

Dearbhla Taylor, newly qualified SLT, joins Ruth to talk all things university, placements and graduation. She is really open and honest throughout, explaining how the course had it's challenges and also how she gained confidence, which stands her in good stead as she embarks on her first SLT post within the Belfast Trust, here in NI. Dearbhla can also be found on LinkedIn via: https://www.linkedi...

Charlotte Hall, fellow podcaster and speech & language therapist joined Ruth in this episode, to talk about her SLT journey to date. Charlotte's journey has taken her in many directions - NHS work, independent practice and the creation of her podcast "Just 3 things...." This episode highlights how we, speech and language therapists, can set out goals that ensure the work / life b...

Sarah Lyons, owner of SL Therapy London & Dubai, chats to Ruth in detail, about how her vision from 11 years ago came into fruition during lockdown in 2020. Sarah talks all things NHS, independent practice, grabbing opportunities in medico-legal work and taking on the role of Chair of ASLTIP in 2017. You can follow Sarah and her business via the following links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-l...

Gemma McNally, SLT and mummy to Clara and Caleb chats to Ruth about her role in Surestart SEHSCT in NI, and their creation of an early intervention book "I wonder...." for local families. With this month being Down Syndrome Awareness month, Gemma speak honestly about her journey with Caleb who was born with Down Syndrome and how she initially went into clinician mode when he arrived . She also sha...

Michelle Connor from Kinva Health talks to Ruth about how her daughter's diagnosis of a rare genetic condition at 14 months lead her on a very different career pathway than she had planned at the age of 18. Michelle's honest, passionate and eloquent discussion of Kleefstra Syndrome comes across throughout this episode: it is the reason she now heads up her innovative business supporting therapists...

Sundeep Sidhu, RCSLT Trustee, joins Ruth to chat about being involved with speech and language therapists at board level. New to his role in November 2023, Sundeep talks candidly about why he applied foe his role on the board of trustees, what he has learnt already and what he is bringing to his role. He talks passionately about his background in design thinking and how he brings strategic based q...

Have you seen the hype about AI? Are you using it in your therapy? Well I guarantee after listening to Rachel Barton in the latest episode you'll be jumping to learn more! Rachel shares her wisdom of integrating AI into her therapy sessions, she is even delivering training to SLTs to share all her new skills using the AI based platforms. This is an episode not to be missed!! Specific links mention...

Cara Bethell, diver into the independent sector joins Ruth to share her journey to date. Cara explains that she started on a very different undergraduate degree pathway, but ended up where she always wanted to be. Cara runs Chatterblox Therapy in Surrey and is the current Conference Director on the ASLTIP Board.

Sarah Alderman- Reilly joins Ruth to share her passion for Alternative, Augmentative Communication [ AAC ]. Sarah is encouraged by the new enthusiasm from SLTs to learn more about an area of the profession she loves. Sarah runs "A Grain of SALT NI" from home but started her career in Blackpool.

In today's episode Ruth chats with Alex McNeill, SLT and Sing & Sign Leader in NI. Alex talks about her decision to move from an NHS role into independent practice, as she set up her sing and sign groups locally. To find out more about sing and sign click here

Ruth Sedgewick from the RCSLT NI Office joins me to discuss all things leadership in the profession, starting a new role during the COVID pandemic and her SLT journey to date. For more information about the New RCSLT Leadership mentioned in this episode click here

Hi I’m Ruth - Speech & Language Therapist, Business owner, Board of Trustee member at RCSLT, Trainer, Supervisor, Runner and someone who likes to stay busy. Welcome to my podcast!