The
Speech Link Team
Peter McLeod, Director, is
an IT specialist with a background in biomedical engineering;
he strongly believes that software should
be simple, uncluttered and easy to use. Speech Link and Language
Link are designed to be used by teachers and teaching assistants
some of whom may have very basic IT skills - ‘that’s
the sort of challenge I love’.
Peter McLeod BSc, MBCS
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Julia Ritchie, Director, is a Speech and Language Therapist who
has held many positions in the NHS in the UK. She has been a practising
clinician, SLT manager in North Kent, and SLT advisor to the UK
government. She has a driving enthusiasm to improve services to
school aged children by building the necessary skills in schools
and the strategic partnerships between Education and SLT agencies.
Julia Ritchie MBE.
MRCSLT.MSc.(H.Psych).
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Derry Patterson is a Specialist
Speech and Language Therapist with over 15 years of experience
working in language units and
mainstream schools. She designed and wrote both the Speech Link
and Language Link packages. Derry feels passionately about training
and supporting education staff. ‘I have heard too many schools
complain that they receive reports and programmes from SLT services
but do not know how to make use of them. These packages work by
bridging the gap between schools and our services and improve the
way we work together’.
Derry Patterson MRCSLT. MSc.
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Darrie Boushel-Payne is the illustrator. Darrie injects his infectious
sense of humour into all his work ensuring that the materials
in the assessment and therapy resources are interesting and engaging
for children.
Darrie Boushel-Payne
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Heather Stevens is a very
experienced paediatric SLT who has been using Speech Link with
her schools for 3 to 4 years. She offers
Speech Link and Language Link training to therapists and schools. ‘I
feel really enthusiastic about Speech Link, I see it working practically
in my schools and can see the difference it makes to both children
and the staff supporting them’.
Heather Stevens MRCSLT.
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Moira Pook is an SLT with 7 years experience working with the NHS, specialising in paediatrics and mainstream schools. She has recently
spent a year working with I CAN as a regional advisor on the Primary
Talk project. Moira is also a qualified teacher and spent several
years teaching languages both abroad and in the UK before taking up SLT as a career. She is a recent recruit to Speech Link and brings an enthusiasm to a service which she feels is much needed in today's
schools.'
Moira Pook MRCSLT.
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Nettie Stokes has been teaching since 1974.Over the years she has taught English at secondary level, help set up and run a Speech and
Language Unit where she had responsibility for reception through to
year 3. Finally she utilised these experiences when she took up the post of lecturer in Childcare and Basic Skills at college. She loved
the diversity of ages and has always been particularly drawn to those
needing extra care and support. " I was fortunate to work alongside
Speech and Language Therapists when working in the dedicated unit, but
having tools such as Speech Link and Language Link when in the
mainstream would have made a huge difference."
Nettie Stoke
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David Roberts recently graduated with first class honours in Multimedia Technology. He is working with Darrie Boushel Payne and our SLT team
to create an innovative set of speech therapy games.
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There has been input from many experienced paediatric SLTs across
Kent. Teachers and teaching assistants, parents and children have
given their time generously. In the piloting phase we had enthusiastic
support from many schools. We thank all who have contributed to
the success of Speech Link and Language Link, especially Medway
PCT Speech and Language therapy department who provided therapist
time for the initial phase of Speech Link and Kent Education Authority
who sponsored the development of the first phase of both the packages.
