Diary of an SLT

In this the 50th episode of Diary of an SLT there was no better duo to have as guest then Chris and Hilary Platt. Husband and wife SLT team, running their own independent business Springboard Speech and Language, talk to Ruth about everything from how they decided on careers in SLT to how they met and then made the decision to launch SILSA training locally and now further afield .

A very open ,honest and fun chat with this pair of very passionate speech and language therapists - it was a joy to record and we hope you agree as you listen.

If you would like to know more about SILSA opportunities with can access this via https://www.silsatraining.org.uk.

You can also follow Chris and Hilary's work via their instagram account and LinkedIn

Ruth chats to Sophie Humphries from Liverpool Speech - owner and SLT, she has built up a strong team who are passionate about helping children to build communication skills to last a lifetime.
They pride themselves on high standards, specialist knowledge and the strong relationships we build with the child and their community.

To kick off season 5, Ruth is joined by Serenna Wagner, Neurologic Music Therapist (Fellow), Bond Solon Expert Witness, Founder at This Inner Voice Music Therapy Ltd – a small team of dedicated MTs, Professional Opera Singer and PhD Researcher - quite the resume!

Serenna opens up about her path into MT and how this is impacting her current PhD research.

She also shares her passion for supporting patients with Dementia, a testament to the choirs she is a part of.

This episode is definitely worth a listen.

You can also find out more about Serenna via her LinkedIn profile and website

Ruth is joined by Helen Guntrip, Founder of 'Talk and Move'.

Helen talks to Ruth about her journey as an SLT. She fell into the profession after completing a language based degree and taking a job as an SLTA.

As you listen you cannot miss the passion Helen has for early intervention, especially when her whole business is now based on working with Early Educators.

Helen is open about the challenges she has faced, and how she has responded to each challenge in turn.

Follow Helen via her LinkedIn profile and also her instagram page

To find out more about Talk and Move reach out to Helen via this link

Sunita Shah, founder of Together Let's Communicate [TLC] chats with Ruth about her career journey to date.

Having started in a very mixed NHS post post graduation Sunita now runs her independent practice specialising in supporting children and young people with speech, language, social, emotional and communication difficulties.

Sunita opens up about why she loves working with teenagers in particular and how she feels called to support them, when they would otherwise have no support in their lives.

As well as her practice Sunita likes to bring her heritage into her work, and has written several publications called the "Jai Jais".

Her latest publication "Talkology" is due to be released in July! [ watch this space]

You can follow Sunita via her LinkedIn profile and find out more about her publication via her TLC website and also her website promoting "The Jai Jai's"

I was honoured to be joined by Mary Heritage for episode 45 of the podcast. Mary is well known within the field of Speech and Language due to her vast career journey to date.

Throughout this episode Mary's love of the profession shines. She talks about where she started post graduation and how this has mapped out her pathway to date.

Now an author and coach to many, she has a carved out opportunities that many of us would dream of achieving.

You can also find out more about Mary and her books / practice via the following links:

My  coaching practice: Career Pivots & Finding Work Life Balance - Mary Heritage - Coach & Mentor

And to order her books: 

For publication July 2026: Becoming a Speech and Language Therapist: An Essential Guide for Students

Mentoring for Speech and Language Therapists: Unlocking Professional Development throughout your career

Mary's LinkedIn profile Mary Heritage | LinkedIn

In episode 44 I get an opportunity to chat all things communication boards with the Inclusive Communication Solutions Team.

Laura, Kelly and Suzanne explain how their joint business venture came about organically in 2024 through conversations in the years leading up.

The ladies share their individual backgrounds, working weeks and how their business is going at the moment.

They have big dreams for the future and it is lovely to hear how their unique communication boards are starting to pop up around the country.

You can follow the team via their instagram profile and on their individual LinkedIn pages: Laura, Suzanne, and Kelly

If you would like more information about buying a communication board you can access their website here.

Nicky West joined Ruth for a chat.

Nicky set up New Options Speech and Language Therapy in Hull 12 years ago and as you will here things are going from strength to strength for her.

Nicky chats about her journey into SLT at the age of 25, and where the SLT journey has lead her to date.

She is a huge advocate for supporting this profession, by sharing her passion with students at secondary level education. She also has a merchandise shop via her website, for all things 'SLT' inspired .

You can follow Nicky via LinkedIn and Instagram

She also sells her lovely 'merch' via https://www.new-options.co.uk/category/all-products

What a lovely episode as Ruth was joined by Ellie Brown, Independent SLT.

Ellie is quite new to the world of IP but shares how much this has benefited her young family.

Ellie is very passionate about delivering strength-focused, person-centred support, with all methods of communication considered as valid and equal. She is very proud to be a neuroaffirming practitioner, recognising that neurodivergent people have unique strengths, interests and support needs.

Listen Ellie chat about her working week and her future plans.

You can follow Ellie via LinkedIn and Instagram

Sarah Corey, Speech and Language Therapist in NI, joined Ruth for this latest episode of Diary of an SLT.

Sarah has literally just left her NHS role to go into full time independent work within her business mid ulster speech therapy, so finds herself juggling this alongside being mummy to her two beautiful children.

She talks so openly and honestly about this transition, her passion for early intervention in under 3s and also her future aspirations when she find the time!

Sarah also gives insight into an award she won last year in her local area - she was shocked, Ruth was not!

You can follow Sarah on instagram and LinkedIn