Another year over...

Another year is almost over! How did that happen?!

A lot can happen in a year! I for one didn’t see myself moving to another city for a job, but I am so glad I did as I absolutely love the job I am doing at the moment!

I have not blogged even half as much as I would have liked this year (mainly due to Great North Run training and blogging) but I have tried to keep it updated when I can.

Earlier this month I saw that the Leeds Giving Voice choir were doing a Christmas performance. This choir is inclusive for adults with neurological conditions and their carers. It was launched in June 2014 by Speech and Language Therapist, Wendy Neill. The choir is the 2014 winner of the Leeds Community Healthcare Innovation Award.

When I heard that they would be performing some Christmas songs, I decided I would like to go along and support them. I attended with two other Speech and Language Therapists, and we had a lovely evening. The choir began in Trinity shopping centre and we were given song books so we could join in. After about half an hour of festive songs we all moved from the shopping centre into Holy Trinity Church where mince pies and mulled wine were served before more festive songs. It was a lovely evening which made us all feel Christmassy and it was clear to see how much the choir enjoyed their performance.

It’s been a busy year for me, and the highlight of my campaigning this year was the charity night I arranged at Ashington Football Club starring Lost Voice Guy and hosted by Steffen Peddie. I was delighted to hear that Lost Voice Guy won the BBC New Comedy Award a few weeks ago – thoroughly deserved!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and wishing you all a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to my continued (and hopefully more active) role in campaigning for Giving Voice 2015 particularly in the lead up to the general election, both individually and with the Giving Voice Innovation Group.

Sunny Days and Happy Things...

Loving the sunshine today! The winter blues are slowly disappearing as I notice the nights beginning to slowly get lighter, payday draws steadily closer and the sun is shining brightly through my window... The time between Christmas and the end of January always seems so long but there’s been a few exciting things happened this month so I thought I’d sit down and share them with you.

Firstly, I am extremely excited that my train tickets are booked for the Giving Voice Working Group residential next month! I remain positive that the train service will serve me well and that the weather person in the sky stays happy to allow easy travelling for me and my fellow working group colleagues. So far this year, my Giving Voice involvement has had a slightly slower momemtum than usual, so I am super excited about getting my teeth properly stuck back into campaigning and meeting fellow Giving Voice enthusiasts at the training next month. I look forward to sharing my Giving Voice adventure with you all.

Secondly, as we were unable to make it to London for the Giving Voice awards we are holding our own little celebration in Newcastle. I’ve been helping the North East Trust for Aphasia  (NETA) organise a celebration which is to be held in March. As part of this event I have been asked to talk for 10 minutes about my involvement in Giving Voice and why I nominated NETA. I have written to my MP to invite him along to the event (and of course took the opportunity to thank him for his previous support and remind him of how brilliant SLTs are!) I’m really looking forward to being part of this celebration and will update you after the event! :-)

 

Speech and Language Therapy Transforms Lives!

A Cute Christmas wish!

I didn’t think I’d be blogging again before Christmas but I thought this was too cute not to share! Whilst looking after my 7-year-old niece yesterday she drew this Christmas picture! How cute!

Here’s what it says “Giving Voice is the best at Christmas because it helps you speak in the Happy New Year 2013, the year coming. Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year everyone. Love from Toni Anne Seago. oxoxox”

I think it’s lovely that Toni has recognised that Giving Voice will continue to support (and raise awareness of) speech and language therapy in the New Year! 

On another note, here’s me feeling festive in my new Giving Voice t-shirt from RCSLT. Get one of your own from the Giving Voice website. Don’t forget if you want to find out more about getting involved in the Giving Voice working group contact emma.barnes@rcslt.org.

Merry Christmas everyone!!