Liz Williamson, clinical Director of The Speech Group

Liz graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Therapy in 1991 from The University of Queensland, Australia. Since that time she has worked full-time across a range of independent and statutory services and her clinical responsibilities have involved the treatment of both adults and children.

Liz has particular interest in complex dysphagia arising from neurological impairment and the use of Facial Oral Tract Therapy and Vital Stim. Liz has practising privileges at The Lister Hospital Sydney Street Outpatients in London which allows her to support instrumental assessment of dysphagia in a multidisciplinary context with Ear Nose and Throat Consultants.

Liz’s other special interest areas include acquired brain injury in children and adults and she supports all members of the The Speech Group team to deliver evidenced based interventions. Liz ensures all team members are supported through continuous professional development and regular inservice meetings.

Liz is able to prepare reports for Medicolegal proceedings although most of her work is clinically based.

Liz has introduced newly qualified and Student Speech and Language Therapy roles to The Speech Group in an effort to support professional workforce development and training.  Liz has also introduced Therapy Outcome Measures to The Speech Group in liaison with The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Liz appeared in the BBC Horizon Documentary, My Amazing Brain: Richard's War, broadcast in January 2018. The film follows the story of stroke survivor Richard Gray and showcases his journey of recovery- one in which Liz played an active role as part of his multidisciplinary team.

Hayley, Speech and Language Therapist

Hayley is a qualified speech and language therapist, with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (2010) from The University of Wales Institute in Cardiff (now called Cardiff Metropolitan University).

Since then Hayley has worked across several settings, including primary and secondary schools, nurseries, colleges and clinics, supporting children and young people who have a vast range of neurological and developmental disabilities.

Hayley joined The Speech Group in 2017 and has worked with several families, supporting them at home and in education settings.

ruth, Speech and Language Therapist

Ruth qualified as a speech and language therapist in 2005 at the University of Queensland in Australia. She has extensive experience working with adults and young people with a wide range of communication, voice and swallowing concerns arising from neurological impairment and head and neck cancers. She has a special interest in  swallowing disorders; offering latest assessments, therapies and technologies in her practice. Currently Ruth is investigating the use of Pharyngeal electrical stimulation in complex longstanding dysphagia.

Ruth is the Lead Clinician for dysphagia at the Speech Group and carries out instrumental swallowing assessments. Ruth runs regular Videofluoroscopy and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) Clinics with her colleague Liz Williamson.

Ruth is also able to carry out reports for legal proceedings and is experienced in expert witness reports.

Ruth has many years of experience leading a speech and language therapy service and supervising colleagues in a large London hospital group.

Laura, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Laura is nearing the completion of her MSc in Speech and Language Therapy and will soon be a fully qualified, HCPC-registered Speech and Language Therapist. She brings a wealth of practical experience from her years as a dedicated speech and language therapy assistant, alongside advanced academic training grounded in the latest evidence and RCSLT-endorsed practice.

Laura is passionate about client-centred care and works holistically with individuals to help them achieve meaningful goals in communication, swallowing, and participation. Her approach is underpinned by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, with a focus on enabling real-life activity and social participation outcomes that matter to each individual.

She has extensive experience of multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, collaborating closely with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and education and care staff. Laura understands the vital role that coordinated, cross-disciplinary input plays in delivering client-led, needs-led care, and she is committed to fostering strong therapeutic partnerships.

Laura has formal training in low and high-tech AAC systems, including PODD, GRID3, and Makaton, as well as Attention Autism and dysphagia support. She also has in-depth experience delivering intensive language therapy using semantic and syntactic processing approaches and is skilled in supporting clients with complex needs across settings.

Laura is excited to begin working as a newly qualified therapist, building on everything she has learned - bringing fresh knowledge, clinical reasoning and enthusiasm into every client interaction.

Based in Bristol, Laura is available to work across the Southwest of England, including Bristol, Bath, Taunton, Gloucester, and Cardiff.

Laura appeared in the BBC Documentary: My Amazing Brain: Richard's War, broadcast in January 2018. The film follows the journey of stroke survivor Richard Gray, and showcases his journey of recovery - one in which Laura played an active and compassionate role as part of his multidisciplinary team.

KATE, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPist

Kate received a Distinction in her MSc degree in Speech and Language Therapy from City University, London. Kate works primarily with children who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication aids (AAC) to help them to communicate and is also a qualified dysphagia therapist (supporting children with swallowing difficulties).

Kate started working at The Speech Group in 2018 as an SLT Assistant prior to qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2021. She has worked with children and their families across multiple settings, including at home, mainstream school, SEN (Special Educational Needs) schools, EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage), and also providing remote therapy sessions.

Ali, Speech and Language Therapist

Ali is a Speech and Language Therapist with 9 years experience.  Ali also has a Master’s Degree in Psychology.

Ali has specialist skills in providing assessment and intervention to school age children and young people with a range of communication needs and clinical diagnoses.  Ali is experienced in working with children who have social communication difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorder, with particular skills in delivering therapy for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs.

Ali provides training and support to the wider multi-disciplinary team and is experienced working in both face to face and remote assessment and therapy provision.

CLARE, sPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST

Clare qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2013 and has 9 years' experience providing assessment, diagnosis, direct and indirect intervention for clients with acquired speech, language, communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

Clare has many years experience in highly specialist roles in Neurology and Neurosurgery within London Hospitals. Clare's specific areas of clinical interest lie in dysphagia/swallow assessment and rehabilitation, aphasia following brain injury, goal setting with clients and families, and alternative and augmentative methods of communication (AAC).