Bryony Longmaid

SaLT

Hello, my name is Bryony.

I completed my Undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy at City, University of London in 2016.

I started working at Words First in November 2016 as a Newly Qualified Therapist (NQT), and since then have had experience working across a range of settings, including mainstream primary and secondary, specialist provisions for children with autism, and at our Kids First clinic.

I am particularly interested in working with children in Early Years/Primary settings on their speech, language and communication, as I truly believe that early intervention is key. I love to welcome parents and teaching staff into my sessions, as progress is achieved much more quickly when they understand the childā€™s goals and how best to support them.

As part of my current role as Clinical Specialist for Speech Sound Disorders, I am able to support the whole team develop their understanding of this clinical area and offer joint assessments and case discussions. I am also part of the team which provides training on how to deliver our phonological awareness intervention programme Sound Smart.

Words First has provided me with such a fantastic opportunity to see each of my clients through their entire speech and language journey, from initial observation and assessment-planning, to delivering intervention, and then discharging them from the service. This has truly let me grow as a therapist and understand the importance of the SaLTā€™s role. As a creative person, I also enjoy having the time to plan my sessions and create individualised resources for my clients, while still having access to some of Words Firstā€™s amazing company resources.

Outside of work I enjoy drawing, painting and generally creating (whatever medium that might entail). I adore the countryside and take any chance I get to escape to London and return to my beautiful homeland of Wales. More recently I have embraced a love of running and, when a weekend out of London isnā€™t possible, I enjoy looking for new green spaces to run around in London (this is always followed by finding a new coffee shop and tasting a new type of pastry).