Today was my last day volunteering as a Speech and Language Support Worker at Headway Luton. Over the past three months it has been amazing to see the difference Headway is making; the dedication and passion all members of staff bring to improving the lives of clients is truly inspiring.
The opportunities I have received have been invaluable. Thank you especially to Maxine, Speech Support Worker at the centre, who supported and encouraged me throughout my experience. With my own caseload I conducted 1:1 speech therapy for clients with a range of speech, language and communication needs following brain injury, including planning sessions and creating resources based on individual needs. I learnt to focus on personalisation of therapy through session/task modification, since various factors can impact on communication such as vision, hearing, physical ability and cognition. Aphasia and other SLCN can also present themselves in a variety of ways. I also learnt more theoretical skills such as using Total Communication to aid speech production. Connecting with my love for Modern Languages was a highlight, conducting interventions for clients with English as a second language (ESL) and 1:1 Spanish sessions for a client. I received training on acquired brain injury, confidentiality and boundaries which proved extremely useful in understanding the hidden cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects of a brain injury, as well as its effect on survivors and family/carers.
Outside of my speech work I also supported clients around the Day Centre, for example during: group cognitive activities, arts and crafts, yoga, and games (as well as the World Cup day and 80s party we organised!) I was privileged to receive ‘Volunteer of the Month’ back in July for my ‘enthusiastic and organised approach when working to improve Speech and language with clients’! Thanks to this experience, I’ve grown both personally and professionally and created such meaningful relationships. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team at Headway Luton for their support and guidance throughout my time there. Thank you for everything, I miss you all already!
Now back to University of Bath to finish my degree!
