5 July 2019
Speech & Language Therapist, Johanna Barclay, took up her new role with the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate in April 2019.
Part of Johanna’s role is to work with people who have communication difficulties, which often involves working closely with their families, and/or other people who educate and care for them. Johanna also provides support for feeding and swallowing best practice.
Since being appointed, Johanna has undertaken many projects, including a video reflection project.
Johanna said:
“I am really excited about a video reflection project now underway in Primary Schools and a crèche on the Island. My goal is to take this programme to as many settings as possible, so everyone who works with children or adults with communication difficulties has the opportunity to reflect on their skills in interaction, using the most helpful strategies. I have been impressed by people’s response to this, and the positive impact it has had in a relatively short space of time.”
Director of Children & Adults Social Care, Tracy Poole-Nandy, added:
“We are happy that Johanna has joined the directorate offering this specialist level of intervention and support to children and adults on St Helena. Johanna has already in her short time on-Island made such a remarkable difference to the service, which is evident in the positive feedback the directorate is receiving.”
Johanna concluded:
“I have had a very warm and friendly welcome from the families I work with, colleagues, and settings I have visited so far. I am blown away by the beauty of this Island, and look forward to exploring more. People keep asking if I am getting on okay with the accent and, so far so good, as long as it doesn’t get too fast I can just about keep up!”
Previously, Johanna worked for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London and also spent several years working for non-government organisations and as an independent therapist.
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SHG
5 July 2019