Swansea Bay Speech and Language Therapy Services

Cymerwch gip at hyn ⬇️

Take a look at this ⬇️

Every picture really does tell a story in hospitals, parks and playgrounds across Swansea Bay.

Health board speech and language therapists have worked with play development officers from Swansea and Neath Port Talbot councils on a project to support children and adults with communication difficulties.

Symbol-based boards have been created to support communication and have been placed in council parks and playgrounds as well as health board hospitals and children’s centres.

Swansea Council initially approached the health board after being inspired by a similar initiative created by Hywel Dda University Health Board. Soon after that, Neath Port Talbot Council also came on board.

Hannah Murtagh, Swansea Bay’s paediatric clinical lead for speech and language therapy, said: “The aim is to improve inclusivity in those public spaces by creating a bilingual, symbol-based communication board.

“We wanted to work collaboratively to achieve this, and to mix our expertise together.

“The boards will allow children and adults with communication difficulties the opportunity to understand and express themselves within the space they are entering.”

They are intended for use by people of all ages – including those who do not have English as a first language. Each features selected symbols paired with a word, in both Welsh and English.

Different versions were created for use in health settings and in parks and playgrounds.

Those used in playgrounds, for example, include slide, swing, roundabout and seesaw. There are also verb symbols such as run, push, climb and jump, as well as pronouns such as I, you and they.

Some hospital-specific examples are nurse, doctor, therapist, pain, check-up and scan.

The boards also include written instructions for whoever is supporting the person who would use them.

As part of the content design, Swansea Bay highly specialist speech and language therapist Lisa Harrison conducted a survey of what words people thought would be most commonly used.

“From there it was a thematic analysis, looking at words that were more frequently suggested – but also additional words that would link those together as well,” Lisa said.

“We included pronouns, and the ability to negate, to say no to something. So we included a not, as well as emotions and some basic needs such as toilet, food and drink.

“They can be used by children and adults alike, but also by people whose first language is not English, who may be experiencing communication barriers.”

Within the health board, they are being put up in entry locations around Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals as well as the children’s centres at Neath Port Talbot and Singleton hospitals.

Hannah said having the opportunity to express yourself was a basic human right, and there were many ways of communicating.

“It could be spoken words, signs, gestures, pictures or written words.

“For someone who is unable to use spoken words, communicating their wants and needs can be really challenging, especially in a busy environment.

“When someone is not able to use the spoken word to communicate, they may use what we would call an augmentative and alternative communication method, or AAC.

“This can include pictures or symbols, which are frequently used to support people to express themselves when they might not otherwise be able to do so.

“People with a wide range of communication difficulties benefit from some method of AAC.

“It’s widely evidenced that providing visual support for those with communication difficulties is beneficial to them.

“The boards have been very popular in Hywel Dda, and we really want to replicate that in Swansea Bay.”

Neath Port Talbot Council has around 100 boards and will be placing them in all its parks, as well as offering them to town and community councils.

Hayley Lervy, Neath Port Talbot’s Head of Early Years, Inclusion and Participation, said: “The new symbol-based communication boards are a welcome addition to our parks.

“With play opportunities having such an important role in the development of children and young people, it is important our parks are inclusive to those who have communication difficulties.

“We want to ensure all children and young people can express themselves and are able to enjoy the play opportunities available to them.”

Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “We are currently investing around £5m in upgrading and improving our play areas and facilities across Swansea and we want them to be accessible to and enjoyed by everyone.

“These boards will soon be placed in many parks and play areas and should be of assistance to anyone with communication difficulties.

“We are very grateful to the health board and their language therapy experts for their involvement and eagerness to collaborate on this project.”

Swansea Bay University Health Board is looking for a dynamic Speech and Language Therapist to work with stroke patients across the pathway from hospital to home. Please see advert in link below for further details

http://jobs.abm.wales.nhs.uk/job/v4161521

Jobs We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board. 

Mae Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bae Abertawe yn chwilio am Therapydd Iaith a Lleferydd deinamig i weithio gyda chleifion strôc ar draws llwybr ysbyty i'r cartref. Gweler yr hysbyseb yn y ddolen isod am fanylion pellach

http://jobs.abm.wales.nhs.uk/job/v4161521

Jobs We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board. 

Take a look at this ⬇️

A guide to helping your child with a stammer Speech & Language Therapist, Janet Cooper, talks about stammering and shares her top tips for helping your child with their stammer.

Cymerwch gip at hyn ⬇️

A guide to helping your child with a stammer Speech & Language Therapist, Janet Cooper, talks about stammering and shares her top tips for helping your child with their stammer.

Take a look at this! ⬇️👏

To celebrate our upcoming 30th birthday, we are offering 30 minutes of free signing sessions every Wednesday at 2:30pm on our YouTube channel.
Starting from 4th April, join us for a different set of signs each day Mon-Thurs and on Friday we will upload all of the videos so that you can catch up on the ones that you have missed!
https://youtube.com/c/signalong

Cymerwch gip ar hyn!! ⬇️👏

To celebrate our upcoming 30th birthday, we are offering 30 minutes of free signing sessions every Wednesday at 2:30pm on our YouTube channel.
Starting from 4th April, join us for a different set of signs each day Mon-Thurs and on Friday we will upload all of the videos so that you can catch up on the ones that you have missed!
https://youtube.com/c/signalong

Speech therapists support people with progressive conditions to bank their voice for use with an electronic communication aid. Click to find out more about a new resource developed to help people with MND bank their voice

https://www.mndassociation.org/i-will-always-be-me-worlds-first-e-book-that-banks-your-voice-is-launched/?dm_i=40VR,1ES0V,2TD2IO,55C2D,1

I Will Always Be Me – world’s first e-book that banks your voice is launched | MND Association A first-of-its-kind e-book which banks people’s voices as they read the story aloud has been launched today for people living with motor neurone disease (MND). “I Will Always Be Me” is written from the perspective of someone living with MND explaining to their loved ones about the condition an...

Mae therapyddion iaith a lleferydd yn cefnogi pobol a chyflyrau cynyddol i fancio eu lleisiau er mwyn eu defnyddio gyda chymorth cyfathrebu electronig. Cliciwch i ddarganfod mwy am adnodd newydd a ddatblygwyd i helpu pobol ag MND i fancio'u lleisiau

https://www.mndassociation.org/i-will-always-be-me-worlds-first-e-book-that-banks-your-voice-is-launched/?dm_i=40VR,1ES0V,2TD2IO,55C2D,1

I Will Always Be Me – world’s first e-book that banks your voice is launched | MND Association A first-of-its-kind e-book which banks people’s voices as they read the story aloud has been launched today for people living with motor neurone disease (MND). “I Will Always Be Me” is written from the perspective of someone living with MND explaining to their loved ones about the condition an...

Last week was Children's Mental Health Week.

Many children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs have unidentified communication and interaction difficulties.

Take a look at this ⬇️

Yr wythnos diwethaf oedd Wythnos Iechyd Meddwl Plant.

Mae gan lawer o blant a phobl ifanc sydd ag anghenion cymdeithasol, emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl anawsterau cyfathrebu a rhyngweithio sydd heb gael eu nodi.

Cymerwch gip ar hyn ⬇️

A good source of information here! ⬇️⬇️

Download the free Afasic ‘development milestones’ resources that show how a typical child develops speech and language at different ages. Please share.
https://www.afasic.org.uk/resources/free-downloads/recognising-a-problem-and-getting-help/

Ffynhonnell dda o wybodaeth yma! ⬇️⬇️

Download the free Afasic ‘development milestones’ resources that show how a typical child develops speech and language at different ages. Please share.
https://www.afasic.org.uk/resources/free-downloads/recognising-a-problem-and-getting-help/

Talking, singing and playing with your child in their early years (0-5) will give them the very best start in life. Remember that mealtimes, nappy time and bath time are all perfect times to ‘talk and play’ with your little one. Visit Talk with Me’s new website for fun tips on how to help your child learn to talk:

https://gov.wales/talk-with-me

Talk with me | GOV.WALES Information and resources to help children learn to talk.

Mae siarad, canu a chwarae gyda dy blentyn (0-5) yn rhoi’r dechrau gorau mewn bywyd iddyn nhw. Mae amser bwyd, amser newid clwt ac amser bath i gyd yn adegau perffaith I ‘siarad a chwarae’ gyda dy blentyn bach. Mae tips gwych ar wefan newydd Siarad gyda Fi I helpu dy blentyn i ddysgu siarad:

https://llyw.cymru/siarad-gyda-fi

Siarad gyda fi | LLYW.CYMRU Gwybodaeth ac adnoddau i helpu plant i ddysgu siarad.

Rydym wedi dechrau gwahodd plant 5 i 11 oed sydd â chyflyrau iechyd sylfaenol ar gyfer eu brechiad Covid cyntaf.

Os yw eich plentyn wedi cael ei alw am frechiad a bod gennych gwestiynau am hyn neu'r brechlyn ei hun, cysylltwch â'n tîm ar 01792 200492 / 01639 862323. Mae clinigwr penodedig ar gael rhwng 9am a 5pm o ddydd Llun i ddydd Sadwrn i drafod unrhyw bryderon sydd gennych.

*Peidiwch â chysylltu ag adran cleifion allanol plant Ysbyty Singleton.*

Mae rhagor o wybodaeth am frechu’r grŵp hwn ar gael ar ein gwefan https://bipba.gig.cymru/ewch/brechu-covid-ar-gyfer-y-rhai-dan-18-oed/brechiad-covid-ar-gyfer-plant-5-i-11-oed-sydd-mewn-perygl/

We have started to invite 5 to 11 year olds with underlying health conditions for their first Covid vaccination.

If your child has been called for vaccination and you have questions about this or the vaccine itself, please contact our team on 01792 200492 / 01639 862323. A dedicated clinician is available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday to discuss any concerns you may have.

*Please do not contact the Singleton Hospital children's outpatient department.*

More information on the vaccination of this group can be found on our website https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/go/covid-vaccination-under-18s/covid-vaccination-for-5-to-11-year-olds-at-risk/

Take a look at this ⬇️

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/helpful-advice-from-a-speech-and-language-therapist/zfh3xyc

Early language development - Helpful advice from a Speech and Language Therapist Helpful advice from Speech and Language Therapist Sinead Campbell about how parents, carers and families can help their babies' language development through play and interaction.

Cymerwch gip ar hyn ⬇️

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/helpful-advice-from-a-speech-and-language-therapist/zfh3xyc

Early language development - Helpful advice from a Speech and Language Therapist Helpful advice from Speech and Language Therapist Sinead Campbell about how parents, carers and families can help their babies' language development through play and interaction.

A fond farewell to Lisa Chess – Head of Speech and Language Therapy

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Lisa at the end of December.

She joined Swansea Bay in 1990, having worked in West Sussex and Powys prior to this, and during her career she developed her specialism working with adults with neurological conditions.
Lisa has extensive experience in neuro rehabilitation, stroke, critical care, care of the elderly, cardiac and palliative care and was a well-respected figure in Morriston and Singleton Hospitals during her clinical career.

Lisa became Head of Service in 2017 and her mantra to the team was always ‘stretch don’t cruise’ offering a culture of high support and high challenge. Her strength has lain in facilitating opportunities for others, and she is immensely proud to see her team achieve successes in their personal development. Lisa provided strong and collaborative leadership and always had a listening ear for everyone in her team, and her development days were innovative and fun – stripy tights, daffodils and Christmas trees spring to mind. She has always had a mind to the wellbeing of her team, organising summer barbeques on the beach and winter woodland walks. During her time as Head of Service, Lisa achieved many successes including acting as Project Manager of Llandarcy Field Hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic, and leading in the implementation of Strengthening our Structures in the PCTGS delivery group.

Lisa will be missed by all who were privileged to work alongside her over her long and successful career. Her inspirational leadership has led many others to achieve more than could have ever imagined. Wishing you lots of joy, health and happiness in your retirement Lisa.

Ffarwelio â Lisa Chess – Pennaeth Therapi Iaith a Lleferydd

Rydyn ni’n drist iawn ein bod yn ffarwelio â Lisa ddiwedd mis Rhagfyr.

Ymunodd hi â Bae Abertawe yn 1990, ar ôl gweithio yng Ngorllewin Sussex a Phowys cyn hynny. Yn ystod ei gyrfa, datblygodd ei harbenigedd yn gweithio gydag oedolion â chyflyrau niwrolegol. Mae gan Lisa brofiad helaeth ym meysydd adsefydlu niwrolegol, strôc, gofal critigol, gofalu am yr henoed, a gofal cardiaidd a lliniarol. Roedd yn uchel iawn ei pharch yn Ysbytai Treforys a Singleton yn ystod ei gyrfa glinigol.

Daeth Lisa yn Bennaeth y Gwasanaeth yn 2017 a’i mantra i'r tîm bob amser oedd 'anelwch yn uchel, nid gorffwys ar eich rhwyfau’ gan gynnig diwylliant o gryn gefnogaeth a her. Ei chryfder yw iddi hwyluso cyfleoedd i eraill, ac mae'n hynod falch o weld ei thîm yn cyflawni llwyddiannau yn eu datblygiad personol.

Mae Lisa wedi darparu arweinyddiaeth gref a chydweithredol ac roedd ganddi glust i wrando ar bawb yn ei thîm bob amser. Roedd ei dyddiau datblygu’n arloesol ac yn llawn hwyl – mae teits streipiog, cennin Pedr a choed Nadolig yn dod i'r meddwl. Mae hi bob amser wedi meddwl am les ei thîm, gan drefnu barbeciws haf ar y traeth a theithiau cerdded.

Yn ystod ei chyfnod fel Pennaeth y Gwasanaeth, cyflawnodd Lisa lawer, gan gynnwys bod yn Rheolwr Prosiect Ysbyty Maes Llandarsi yn ystod pandemig Covid-19, ac arwain y gwaith o weithredu Cryfhau ein Strwythurau yng ngrŵp cyflawni PCTGS.

Bydd pawb a gafodd y fraint o weithio ochr yn ochr â Lisa dros ei gyrfa hir a llwyddiannus yn gweld ei heisiau. Mae ei harweinyddiaeth ysbrydoledig wedi arwain llawer o bobl i gyflawni mwy nag y gallent erioed fod wedi'i ddychmygu. Dymunwn lawer o lawenydd, iechyd a hapusrwydd i chi yn eich ymddeoliad, Lisa.