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Izzie Waller
Speech and Language Therapy BSc (Hons)
Izzie didn’t think university was for her, but after coming across the Speech and Language Therapy course, she knew what direction she wanted her life to go in. After thriving on the course and in her work placements, Izzie is now working as a Neuro Speech and Language Therapist and feels more ambitious than ever.
“Growing up, university wasn’t something I’d never really dreamed of. I started working in a nursery, which made me aware of Speech and Language Therapy, and so I soon explored the subject in more depth. My local university didn’t offer the course, and as I just knew I didn’t want to study anything else; I chose BCU. I had to apply super quickly to get on to that year’s course, but it all worked out.
My proudest achievement from my time at BCU was completing the course. I am not one for classrooms, but I was able to do two block placements on my course: one in one in paediatrics, and the other being a mixture of pre-school, school age, and in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Placements were hard and full on, but I was lucky enough to experience something I loved and that influenced my decision of where to work following graduation.
Nowadays, I work as a Neuro Speech and Language Therapist, working in the private sector at Judith A. Scholefield & Associates. I moved from Worcester in the West Midlands to Halifax in Yorkshire, just three weeks after finishing university to start work straight away.
I now work with people who have acquired brain injuries, even after being convinced for years that I would end up working in mainstream paediatrics. My final placement was in a brain injury unit, and this was the turning point for me, I just loved it from day one.
I have learned so much and continue to do so every day. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have had many opportunities including courses and conferences across the UK too, which is amazing.
A typical day consists of visiting a brain injury rehabilitation unit, or somebody’s home or school, and carrying out their individual therapy programme, which I have created based on assessments that I have carried out. I carry out a lot of multidisciplinary therapy (MDT) work and offer training to support workers and families of brain injury survivors too.
I have been so fortunate to be in a role that is so well supported. I am now more ambitious than ever and have gained so much confidence so far. I am so proud of myself for leaving everyone and everything I know behind and jumping in with both feet, I absolutely love my job and wouldn’t change a thing.
My advice to current BCU students would be to not give up. University is hard, but worth it. Ask questions, allow yourself to make mistakes, remember that none of us are perfect, and have an open mind.
For those studying Speech and Language Therapy, find an area of SLT that you are passionate about, and it won’t even feel like work. Be prepared to research, don’t fear getting things wrong and most importantly, be proud of yourself and what you do.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without BCU. University made me realise exactly what I wanted in life and gave me the skills to get there. I also made friends from all walks of life who I’m still close with now.
For me, I AM BCU means I am now part of a lifelong community. I am proud to represent BCU.”