In May 2022, ASLTIP hosted our very first awards ceremony during our virtual conference. After a full day of informative and interesting CPD it was lovely to end the event by hearing from our award winners.
Initially, we decided to give out three awards Startup, Leadership and Team Player (to spell out SLT) but we also added an extra special award for Outstanding Contribution.
We wanted to show case our first amazing ASLTIP award winners and say another huge congratulations to them all by sharing their stories below. As a board, we thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the nominations and are delighted for the very deserving winners.
Start Up – Tina Kad
Tina is a Multilingual Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and the Director of Speech Therapy Interactive.
Tina says: “Speech Therapy Interactive provides assessment and therapy (English, Hindi, Urdu & Punjabi) working with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of an acquired or progressive neurological condition. We are truly honoured to receive the ASLTIP 2022 Start Up Award. It means so much to receive so much love from our clients, for trusting us and letting us be a part of their journey. Furthermore, the support we have received from our colleagues empowering and valuing us is touching. In 2022 Speech Therapy Interactive has had many memorable moments featured on UK Health Radio Station, Celestia Magazine, Your Saheli Chat show (SKY Sikh Channel) and Positive Bright Minds Podcast, aiming to educate, raise awareness re: the role of speech therapy, communication and swallowing difficulties, and improving our client’s quality of life. As a director and first-time mum, this award has given me the confidence that I can be a CEO and a mother too.
Thank you ASLTIP for the recognition”
Leadership – Nicky West
Nicky is a Speech & Language Consultant and Founder of NEW Options Ltd.
Nicky says: “My company focuses on delivering input in an innovative manner and making an impactful contribution to local communities and schools within Hull and East Riding. We do this by increasing access to regular and effective therapy services, reducing waiting times and investing time to train school staff which affects positive change for children on a day-to-day basis.
I’m so blessed to have an incredibly caring and supportive team. When the pandemic struck, it was a full team effort to provide practical solutions and ensure minimal disruption to the support we could offer the children on our caseload. Having such a hardworking and dedicated team enables me to lead from the front and create opportunities for learning, support and growth.
I was over the moon to find out I’d been nominated for this award, and it made my day to find out I’d won. It’s been a tough couple of years guiding my fantastic team and business through the pandemic. It is lovely that we can now celebrate all that we achieved together as a team.”
Team Player – Rachel Barton
Rachel is an Independent Speech and Language Therapist and Professional Supervisor (Chatterbox Sussex)
Rachel says: “I moved into independent practice after more than 20 years working in the NHS in West Sussex. Whilst it was quite unnerving to resign with no employed role to step into, it was absolutely worth the risk. Five years on, I have never been happier in my career. Being able to have a consistent and lasting involvement with children and families is so fulfilling. I work with the pre-school and primary age range, dividing my time between supporting children and their families in their homes, working with schools, and offering professional supervision to other independent SLTs. It’s a great balance between hands-on clinical work and engaging in professional reflection.
Moving from working within a large team to working alone had the potential to feel quite isolating but the networks that exist within ASLTIP have meant that I feel constantly surrounded by supportive peers. From the interactions on the forum to the local groups there is always someone happy to answer a question, share some knowledge, or offer advice.
The award of ‘Team Player’ means a huge amount to me because it is testament to the fact that working on your own doesn’t have to mean you are devoid of a team. I see the ASLTIP community as my team and I am grateful to the lovely colleague who nominated me, and the board, for valuing my contribution. I am also grateful to the 40+ SLTs I work with in my capacity as a supervisor. The longer I work in this profession, the more I realise how much there is still to learn. Being invited into other people’s professional journeys and reflecting on the many challenges and joys we encounter, is a privilege.
Many thanks to all the colleagues who have sent messages of congratulations and thank you for being part of this fantastic team!”
Outstanding Contribution – Judith Buchanan
Judith is an Independent Speech and Language Therapist in Bedfordshire.
Judith says: “I trained at the School for the Study of Human Communication in London and qualified in 1974. I moved to Bedford in 1975 and worked initially for the NHS in Bedfordshire. I started my part time independent practice in 1977 when I had my children, and combined my NHS work with my private practice until I left the NHS in 2000. I completed my masters degree in 2001, qualified as a teacher in 2002, teaching children with complex needs in a special school, then became a full time independent therapist in 2005.
I’m happy to say that I’ve had a very varied caseload, and have been willing to take on unusual and complex cases over the years, ranging from young children with feeding difficulties to adults with complex needs and social skills groups for bright teenagers with ASD. I’ve provided therapy services in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes over the years, even travelling as far as London and Manchester for SEN tribunals. I have a particular interest in clients of all ages with challenging behaviour, but I still get a buzz from working with young children who are simply late talkers.
I joined ASLTIP right from its beginnings and I’ve always been a keen supporter as both a group member and chair of the North Herts Local Group. I am passionate about the peer support and professional development that we therapists can access through our membership, so I am specially proud to receive the award for outstanding contribution to ASLTIP.”
On behalf of the ASLTIP Board, we wish to congratulate all of our award winners and look forward to ASLTIP Awards 2023.
Julie Cota, Secretary
