Claire Bolton: delivering online speech and language therapy to vulnerable families
Claire Bolton (CF 2012) from London is a multi-award-winning independent speech and language therapist who has been delivering online therapy sessions to families during the pandemic. However, there are many disabled and vulnerable families who are unable to afford private therapy and are currently experiencing long waiting times via the NHS.
Claire will use her grant to deliver online speech and language therapy free to vulnerable families and children who have experienced lockdown-induced language delays. The funding will cover Claire’s income to carry out the therapy one day per week during term time in 2022. Claire will reach out to NHS services in low socio-economic areas and invite them to refer vulnerable families to her for language stimulation groups. After assessing their needs, she will offer online speech and therapy training to parents and carers in group sessions. Any remaining time will be used to deliver online therapy to children in individual sessions. Claire hopes to reach as many vulnerable children as possible, by supporting their families with education on speech and language stimulation.
Claire’s Fellowship to Canada and the USA in 2012 explored how music can support speech and language therapy. It was supported by the Baring Foundation.