Berry Therapy Limited

13/12/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that Annelyse Apicella has joined the Berry Therapy family as a Speech and Language Therapist! 🎉

Annelyse brings a wealth of passion, creativity, and expertise to our team.

Originally from France, she spent six years teaching French at Bristol and Bath Universities before following her heart to retrain as a Speech and Language Therapist.
Her deep love for language and communication, combined with her drive to help others find their voice, makes her an incredible addition to our AAC-focused team. 💬✨

Known for her positivity and innovative problem-solving, Annelyse’s friends and colleagues lovingly call her “The Cheerleader” 🥳 - and we can already feel her enthusiasm lifting us up!

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re confident Annelyse’s creativity and solution-focused approach will help make a real difference in the lives of our clients. We’re so excited to have her on board to strengthen our mission of empowering individuals through AAC.

Welcome to the team, Annelyse - we’re so happy you’re here! 💜

30/10/2024

Halloween is a fantastic time for costumes, treats, and decorations - but it’s also a great opportunity to build communication skills through AAC!

Our latest blog explores how focusing on core words like “go,” “stop,” “help,” and “want” can help AAC users participate fully in all the spooky fun. Whether carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, or dressing up in costumes, there are endless ways to practice these essential words during Halloween activities.

What are core words? These versatile words make up 80% of daily communication and can be used across any situation. By incorporating them into Halloween, we empower AAC users to express their wants, needs, and preferences - making the holiday more inclusive and interactive.

Do you want to know more about how to target these core words and keep the fun going? Read the full blog post on our website and to receive our free, interactive Halloween story and gridset, please email subscriptions@berry-therapy.com with the subject line HALLOWEEN.

29/10/2024

As AAC Awareness Month comes to a close, we at Berry Therapy are reflecting on the important conversations we’ve had around Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and its role in giving everyone a voice.

Here are some key takeaways:

🌟 1. AAC is for Everyone: AAC helps individuals with communication challenges express themselves, whether through gestures, symbols, or voice output communication aids (VOCAs). It’s not just about technology - it’s about making sure that communication is accessible to all, from children with developmental delays to adults with acquired communication difficulties.

🌟 2. Inclusion is Key: Effective communication is a basic human right. By supporting AAC, we promote social inclusion, independence, and participation in daily life for those with complex communication needs.

🌟 3. Collaboration is Essential: AAC implementation is a team effort. Whether it’s families, educators, or healthcare professionals, working together to support individuals using AAC ensures the best outcomes.

But our work doesn’t stop here.
✅ Continue Raising Awareness: Share resources and experiences to help others understand AAC’s importance.
✅ Advocate for Access: Push for wider availability of AAC resources in schools, healthcare, and public spaces.
✅ Educate and Learn: Stay informed on new AAC tools, research, and strategies to support users.

Let’s keep building a world where every voice is heard, understood, and valued - long after AAC Awareness Month has ended.

23/10/2024

🗣️October is AAC Awareness Month!

Did you know that AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) helps individuals who struggle with verbal communication express themselves? From simple picture cards to electronic devices, AAC gives people a voice when speaking is difficult.

✨ Why AAC matters:
1. Provides independence
2. Boosts inclusion in school and social activities
3. Empowers individuals to express their needs, thoughts, and feelings

💡 Types of AAC:
1. Unaided AAC: Gestures, facial expressions, sign language.
2. Aided AAC: Communication boards, Voice Output Communication Aids, and apps!

Swipe 👉 to see our infographic on AAC basics and learn how it makes a difference in people’s lives. 💬

At Berry Therapy, we believe everyone deserves to be heard. If you or someone you know could benefit from AAC, reach out to us! 💬✨

18/10/2024

It is important to remember that the ultimate aim of AAC is not to find a technological solution to a communication problem, but to enable the individual to efficiently engage in a variety of interactions.” – Janice Light

At Berry Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe that AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is about more than just technology. It’s about empowering people to connect, share, and engage meaningfully in their lives.

The true power of AAC lies in its ability to enhance interaction, not simply provide a technological fix. Whether it’s through a simple communication board or a sophisticated voice output communication aid, the goal is always the same - ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to participate fully in conversations, education, and daily life.

Technology is a tool, but meaningful communication is the outcome.

This AAC Awareness Month, let’s focus on the people behind the devices and remember that at the heart of AAC is connection, understanding, and inclusion.

09/05/2024

Amazing team night out! First a delicious dinner at Mowgli Street Food. Then on to Flight Club Cheltenham for darts and drinks.

16/04/2024

In this blog Alice delves into the significance of modelling language for AAC users.

Here we delve into the significance of modelling language for AAC users.

16/04/2024

In this blog post we debunk some common myths surrounding AAC and shed light on the truth behind these misconceptions.

In this blog post, we'll debunk some common myths surrounding AAC and shed light on the truth behind these misconceptions.

15/04/2024

Check out Alice's blog on understanding AAC.

AAC offers a lifeline, providing various tools and strategies to bridge the communication gap.

15/04/2024

Love getting testimonials from our staff at Berry Therapy Limited. We're glad they feel looked after and valued because they are so amazing and important to us. To read the full testimonials head over to our website. www.berry-therapy.com

07/03/2024

WORLD BOOK DAY!

To celebrate World Book Day, we wanted to share some examples of how we programme Grid Sets to make reading and story time accessible to everyone.

05/03/2024

We are looking to grow our amazing team!

Please check out the links to our available positions below. Or feel free to contact us here.

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Chepstow
https://uk.indeed.com/job/specialist-speech-and-language-therapist-54e688ab32b3d55a

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Barnstaple
https://uk.indeed.com/job/specialist-speech-and-language-therapist-28ab7e27a1e6703e