Speech and Language Team welcome student Luke

Marjon's student Luke is doing a 10-week placement at Dame Hannahs with the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team. He is in the final year of his degree in Speech and Language Therapy. Having lived in Ivybridge for many years he has always been aware of Dame Hannahs.

After leaving school Luke worked in Early Years for eight years, including a job at Millswood Nursery next door to Dame Hannahs. Initially he worked as an Early Years practitioner before being promoted to an Assistant SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Through this job he met many private SLTs and loved what they were doing. He saw how they really helped the children improve and how effective they were. He decided that he wanted to do the same and to make an impact. Having worked from 16 he was itching to do something different.

About his time at Dame Hannahs so far Luke said “I am absolutely loving it. It is the opposite of what I thought I would do as a job. I originally thought I would work in paediatrics, but I am really enjoying working with adults. I came to Dame Hannahs feeling unsure, but it is such a unique place, and I have been made to feel so welcome.
SLTs Baukje and Beki are being so generous with their time, and I am constantly with one of them and being given advice. They give me lots of feedback and treat me as part of the team. I have been feeling like an actual SLT doing a job and not just a shadow.
I am having different experiences each day I come in. I have been involved in an adult’s plan from start to finish, liaised with nurses and have particularly honed my skills with dysphagia. I have even been leading some sessions. I have also built up good rapports with both support workers and adults.
I thought I would be out of my depth here, but I feel like I am thriving and have a good balance as I am learning all the time but also doing a job. My dream is to become an SLT once I have finished my degree.”