Words First Ltd

22/07/2025

✨ Celebrating our incredible Team Leaders ✨

This week, our Team Leaders, Principal Therapist, Psychology Lead and Head of Service came together for a special dinner to say thank you to those who play such a vital role in the life of Words First. 💙

Every day, our Team Leaders go above and beyond to:

🔹 Support their team members with empathy and insight
🔹 Meet each therapist where they are, adapting their communication and leadership styles
🔹 Build confidence, nurture professional growth, and help team members thrive
🔹 Keep everyone connected to each other, to the schools we serve, and to the heart of our company
🔹 Uphold the quality, values, and standards that make Words First special

They are coaches, connectors, problem-solvers, and advocates. Most importantly, they lead with compassion and purpose.

This dinner was a small way of showing how much we appreciate everything you do. Thank you for making a difference to lives every single day. 💫

11/07/2025

💙 Meet Lexi – our incredible Mentor Lead at Words First!

When Lexi joined us from South Africa in 2022, she knew what it felt like to be new, to have questions, and to want a friendly face to reach out to. That experience shaped her passion for mentorship, and today she leads our mentoring programme!

✨ “Having a mentor gave me direction and helped me feel like I belonged.”

From first-day nerves to finding your feet, Lexi makes sure no one at Words First walks the journey alone 💬

📖 Read more about her story and how we support our therapists here: https://wordsfirst.uk/words-first-mentee-mentor-lead/

03/07/2025

🧡 When we work together, children can soar.

At Words First, we believe in putting children at the heart of every decision. Whether it’s through SaLT, OT, EP, Play Therapy or Counselling, we’re here to support schools with flexible, inclusive services that make a difference every single day.

💡 What makes a school partnership really work? We’ve written a blog about just that.
📖 Read it here 👉 https://wordsfirst.uk/a-powerful-school-partnership/

30/06/2025

“It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to represent Words First Ltd at the Outstanding Ofsted celebration at Academy Peckham. It was so lovely to take some time to listen to the performances of the young people and to hear and see the life-changing journey that they're on. Witnessing firsthand the impact that the staff and wider team at Harris Academy Peckham are having on these young people was truly inspiring.

Words First Ltd First is proud to work with the team to realise our goal of making a difference to children's lives every day.” – Sarah Milne, Head of Service

25/06/2025

How do our SaLTs, OTs, EPs and Counselors stay at the top of their game?

Our Words First Support Masterclasses cover a range of topics—from dysregulation in children to feeding challenges, EDA/PDA approaches and burnout prevention.

Read the roundup here: https://wordsfirst.uk/words-first-masterclass-series/

17/06/2025

🌟 From co-regulation breakthroughs and AAC wins to a beautifully designed therapy wall by Olivia, Lisa’s team has been making meaningful change across schools.

Their Sizzling Successes showcase what’s possible when you combine connection, collaboration, and creativity.

👉 Read the full blog post here: https://wordsfirst.uk/sizzling-successes-moments-that-made-difference/

16/06/2025

We’re celebrating our OT, Tasos Kofonikolas, who just returned from presenting at the 1st Scientific Occupational Therapy Conference in Cyprus! 🇨🇾✨

The conference welcomed OTs and OT students from across Cyprus and Europe, with speakers from Greece, Cyprus, and beyond. There was so much interest in Occupational Therapy in schools, and Tasos’ talk on “Occupational Therapists' Perspectives on the Concepts of ‘Occupation’ and ‘Occupation-Focused Practice’ in Mainstream and Special Schools,” sparked great conversations with international colleagues.

We’re so proud of you, Tasos, and grateful you’re part of our Words First community!

13/06/2025

✈️ Wishing our amazing OT, Tasos, a fantastic trip to Cyprus!

Tasos is presenting at the 1st Scientific Occupational Therapy Conference, organised by the European University of Cyprus.

His presentation explores:
“Occupational Therapists' Perspectives on the Concepts of 'Occupation' and 'Occupation-Focused Practice' in Mainstream and Special Schools.”

We’re so proud to see him sharing his insights with an international audience—well done, Tasos! 🎤🌍

11/06/2025

✨ What does great supervision look like?

At Words First, we see supervision as a chance to connect, reflect, and grow together. Speech and Language Therapist and Clinical Supervisor, Kaho shares the simple, powerful ingredients that make supervision meaningful and supportive.

💬 Take a peek behind the scenes: https://wordsfirst.uk/what-makes-a-good-supervision-session/

Kaho, one of our experienced SaLTs and Clinical Supervisors, shares six key ingredients that contribute to meaningful, impactful supervision.

05/06/2025

🎉 Eight years. One school. A lasting impact.

Claire’s story of her time as a Words First Speech and Language Therapist at Lilian Baylis Technology School shows how consistent Speech and Language Therapy builds trust, supports staff, and transforms outcomes for students with SEND.

Read more about her journey and the school’s Centre of Excellence status 👇

🔗 https://wordsfirst.uk/eight-years-one-school-impact-words-first-therapist/

23/05/2025

This week, Words First had the honour of attending a celebration for 80 years of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists at the beautiful Southwark Cathedral. Kate and Sarah were there to represent us and came away feeling proud and inspired.

Sarah shared:

“It was both a pleasure and a privilege to attend the RCSLT 80th anniversary celebratory event. It gave us a moment to reflect on our profession and the meaningful impact we have on the lives of children and young people. I was struck by how closely the aims of our professional body align with the Vision, Mission and Goal of Words First—particularly in how we adapt to change, embrace interdisciplinary practice, and use technology, all while keeping the child at the centre of everything we do.”

A huge congratulations to the RCSLT on this milestone—and thank you for continuing to lead the way for our profession.

18/04/2025

🐰 Easter can be overwhelming for neurodivergent children, but with a few adjustments, you can make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone! 🌸💛

💡 Swipe for tips on how to create an inclusive Easter!

✨ What works best for your family? Let us know in the comments! 👇