Talia Rocha

Hello, my name is Talia – I graduated from UCL with a Master’s in Speech and Language Sciences in October 2018. Before this, I studied for a BA in Linguistics (graduated in July 2014) and then worked as a Learning Support Assistant in nurseries and primary schools. I’ve had experience in various settings, including SEN schools, mainstream schools, and clinic-settings. With Words First, I work primarily with secondary-age pupils, but also do some work in primary schools. My special interest is in stammering, as I have grown up with relatives who stammer – I am always looking to expand my knowledge in different areas, but especially this one! I have attended training conducted by the Michael Palin Centre, and will have attended the Swindon Smoothies stammering course by November 2021. At Words First, I have an additional role of being a mentor for new starters – I love this role, and I am particularly passionate about ensuring new starters feel at ease when they begin a new role with Words First, as it can sometimes be a bit daunting to start a job in a new setting, or when you’re newly qualified!

Outside of work, I enjoy baking weird and wonderful cakes (fun fact: my first ever job was working in a kitchen as a pastry chef!), building models, and reading. Although fantasy books will always have a big place in my heart, a book that has really impacted on my life is This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, as it opened up an interest in autobiographical books about the medical field, which are always really interesting! These books have made me realise just how much I love and am interested in listening to other people’s stories, whether they be those of joy, compassion, or even sadness. This has made me realise how everyone can be tied together by stories, and I will always make it a point in my SALT sessions to share and listen to them!