Our services
The field of speech therapy is vast. In order to provide specialist services we work with medical conditions where we feel we can contribute to in a positive way. If you do not see what you are looking for then we are always happy to discuss your individual needs, please contact us.
Therapy
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People with Parkinson’s may develop symptoms related to speech and voice problems, swallowing problems and cognitive communication problems. Speech therapists can offer support in each of these areas.
In particular we can offer LSVT LOUD treatment which is the gold standard intensive evidence-based treatment for voice and speech disorders which are very common amongst people living with Parkinson’s.
More information about this treatment can be found here. Contact us for more information on how to receive this treatment.
We also offer LOUD for LIFE® classes - these are voice exercise classes for people with Parkinson’s who have previously completed the LSVT LOUD® treatment protocol with a Speech Language Therapist. Virtual / online classes delivered in English.
Click here for more information.
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Voice problems are more common than you might think. A change in the quality of your voice from what it normally sounds like for more than 2 weeks could mean something is not quite right. It is always worth checking in with your doctor who will then refer you to an ENT specialist. ENT may then recommend speech therapy or voice therapy with a speech therapist.
Voice therapy has a high success rate and normally in up to 4 sessions the voice can be restored. This of course depends on the cause of the problem which is why it is so important to start the investigations.
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Losing the ability to eat and drink can be devastating. Many medical conditions in adult life can lead to acquired swallowing problems. A speech therapist is best placed to help you investigate the reason for this, assess, diagnose and treat a swallowing problem.
Read our blog on swallowing problems here to help you understand more.
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The incidence of Dementia is on the rise. Younger people as well as older people can develop cognitive problems which can affect daily life activities. Speech therapists work with people with dementia and their families on cognition, cognitive communication, swallowing and family education.
Family Education
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Parkinson’s is a complex neurological condition and its incidence is on the rise. Some refer to it as a pandemic and it can affect both young and older people alike. It is no surprise that, whether it is upon diagnosis or later in the disease progression that people with Parkinson’s as well as their families will have many questions that need answering. They may also need support, reassurance and assistance. Through our family education session we aim to provide information to help you along your journey.
This is not a speech therapy assessment and it is not therapy but no doubt that if this is required it can be provided at a later date.
Contact us for more information about our family education sessions.
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Dementia is the fastest growing neurological condition. This means that more and more people are being diagnosed with Dementia especially as we continue to live much longer than ever before. Dementia is a complex condition affecting cognition and one’s ability to perform every day activities in the same way as before.
Our family education sessions aim to provide information about Dementia and its progression and allow families to ask questions in order to better support themselves or their loved ones.
This is not a speech therapy assessment and it is not therapy but no doubt that if this is required it can be provided at a later date.
Contact us for more information about our family education sessions.
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Swallowing problems can occur as a result of many medical conditions. Some are progressive (for example Parkinson’s Disease or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) and some are not (for example as a result of intubation).
Either way they can affect both quality of life and the likelihood of further medical complications like chest infections (aspiration pneumonia).
Our family education sessions aim to provide information and allow time to answer questions.
This is not a speech therapy assessment and it is not therapy but no doubt that if this is required it can be provided at a later date.
Contact us for more information about our family education sessions.
Collaborations
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One of our aims at VC Speech Therapy is to empower and inform people living with a medical condition and their families. Many times, such people are already being supported by a charity or a patient organisation.
We are here to provide specialist information by collaborating with such organisations usually at no cost to them.
We would love to discuss with you how we can do this. Whether you are a person belonging to such an organisation or if you yourself represent such an organisation please do get in touch.
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Do you share our passion for evidence based practice, empowering and supporting patients through networking and supporting one another?
We are always open to new ideas which can further support our patients. Case reviews or discussions, webinar opportunities, online meetings with likeminded people - contact us today to discuss how we can get this done. We’d love to hear from you.
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We have worked with organisations who provide a treatment or therapy device which can better the lives of our patients in order to bring this information to others.
Anything which can help our patients and is supported by evidence and research is of interest to us.
We are always happy to discuss opportunities to work together, please contact us to find out how we can do this.
Courses & Workshops
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Professional voice users such as teachers, singers, radio presents etc will appreciate the importance of their voice even more than the rest of us. Their jobs depend on it.
However because they are using their voices much more than the average person, they are more prone to voice problems.
VC Speech Therapy Services is passionate about not only working with people presenting with a voice problem but actually even more passionate about preventing this from happening in the first place. How? By educating and informing. If you know what can damage your voice and how to avoid this then you’re definitely way ahead of the game.
Contact us to discuss how we can provide education sessions for your institution / organisation / personally to help with the prevention of voice disorders.
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Providing care to our elderly or to people who are no longer able to care for themselves in their homes is no small job. Sometimes lack of processes, lack of information and knowledge and lack of resources can place our patients at risk without us knowing.
We are passionate about supporting such organisations in their work flows by providing specialist training to care staff, nursing staff and support workers in the area of communication and swallowing as well as cognition.
This can greatly improve patients’ health, staff satisfaction and general outcomes for the organisation.
Contact us to find out more about how we can meet your needs.
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VC Speech Therapy services is able to provide specialist courses or workshops for private organisations in the areas of voice, speech, communication, cognition and swallowing in adults.
These are bespoke and specific to your needs, so we would love to talk to you about how we can help your organisation to flourish - knowledge is power - and we are here to help.
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Health professionals working with adults are most likely very busy, lacking time and resources and not given much space for learning. At least that is our experience noted over the years.
We are here to make it easier for people to receive the information they need to do their job more easily and ultimately to help patients.
Dependent on the topic in relation to adult speech therapy, we are able to provide specialist courses and workshops to improve skills.
Contact us to discuss further.
Testimonials
‘‘From the moment I met Veronica I knew I was in both safe hands and that the approach would be both professional and enjoyable. Since completing the course my speech has improved my quality of life both at home and with friends.’’
- John R Smith
‘‘Very kind and caring and at the same time very professional.’’
- Carole Chambers
‘‘Veronica took time to carefully listen to, examine, and then observe my mother. She was kind, reassuring and thorough, explaining carefully to my mother (who has some cognitive impairment) what she was doing and why. Following the consultation, Veronica produced a clear report and recommendations and conducted a follow-up view. I would not hesitate to recommend Veronica and feel very reassured to know that we can contact her with future questions or concerns.’’
- Joanna H
‘‘Veronica was instrumental in supporting my father back to health after experiencing serious swallowing issues and having to have a PEG feed fitted. Without her continued support and exercise programme I am sure he would not have made such a good recovery from major surgery.’’
- Gemma Braybrook, on behalf of Graham Hawkes
“Projecting my voice daily for many hours to do my job put incredible strain on my vocal cords and that led to recurring problems. When I started working with Veronica, she took the time to understand my personal situation and created a bespoke programme to suit my needs. Veronica also helped me understand how the voice works so I could use this knowledge to keep it healthy and on form. I use the information and strategies that Veronica taught me every day in my professional and personal life, and I haven't had problems again. I would highly advise professionals who need to project their voice and sustain it over extended periods to get in touch with Veronica for useful, practical and actionable advice.”
— Erika, Teacher
“Veronica has helped to give me strategies to use in the classroom to protect my voice. She has helped me to work on projection and warming up my vocal cords before I begin a busy day.”
— A. B.