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MEET THE TEAM
MY BACKGROUND
Highly Specialist Speech and
Language Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner
Having worked formerly as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in the NHS, I started my independent practice alongside by NHS role so I could reach more families at times convenient to family life. I took the leap into full time independent practice in 2023. Working for myself gives me the flexibility to pursue post-graduate qualifications in Auditory Verbal Therapy and Sensory Integration. Investing in my clinical and professional development means better quality care of those I work with.
I have been fortunate to work across a range of settings including early years, family homes, clinics, mainstream and specialist schools. I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing children and young people with various communication challenges.
My specialist area of knowledge and expertise is in hearing (re)habilitation. I used to lead the specialist hearing loss team for Bradford District before working for the Yorkshire Auditory Implant Service. Alongside running Nurture Speech & Language Therapy , I work for the charity, Auditory Verbal UK.
TRAINING
Special Training
Since qualifying, I have completed the following specialist training:
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Hanen It Takes Two to Talk
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Intensive Interaction
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Word Aware Vocabulary approach
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British Sign Language (Level 2)
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smiLE Therapy
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Shape Coding
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CSD Working with Deaf People
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AVUK Foundations for Listening
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Post-graduate certificate in Sensory Integration
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Attention Autism
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Zones of Regulation
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Dynamic and Temporal Tactile Cueing
Naila Poptani
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Hello, I'm Naila. I am delighted to be part of Nurture and look forward to working with you and your families. I qualified from City University, London, and have been practicing since 2013, with extensive experience in both NHS services and independent practice. Throughout my career, I have worked across a variety of settings, including pre-schools, mainstream schools, and specialist provisions, supporting children with a wide range of speech, language, and communication needs. I am passionate about early identification and the positive impact it can have on a child’s development. I believe strongly in empowering families by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to support their children with confidence, helping them reach their full potential in both their communication and overall wellbeing. Being a parent myself adds an extra dimension to the importance of my work. I understand first-hand the hopes, challenges, and emotions that come with supporting a child’s development, and this perspective deepens my empathy and commitment when working with families. It drives me to deliver care that is not only clinically effective, but also compassionate and responsive to the real-life experiences of parents and carers. My approach focuses on delivering tailored, child-centred interventions and working closely with families, schools, and other professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for each child.
Annabel Clark
Speech and Language Therapist
Hi, I'm Annabel. I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2016 and have a wide range of experience working in community clinics, mainstream schools and special schools, supporting children and their families with a variety of speech, language and communication needs. I have a passion for working with children and young people who stammer or have selective mutism. I provide an understanding and holistic approach to supporting their parents and the wider network around the child or young person. I recognise the emotional impact of stammering and how this can affect a child’s and parent’s wellbeing. I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to develop specialist skills in these clinical areas which include; empowering both children and parents in understanding their needs, and working collaboratively with children, young people, parents and carers to establish and work towards their best hopes in a compassionate and meaningful way. I am a member of the National Stammering Clinical Excellence Network and regularly seek opportunities to engage in the stammering community, to better understand lived experiences of stammering and how this can inform my therapy provision and outcomes for my clients. I look forward to working with children and young people of all ages who stammer or have selective mutism, along with supporting their families.
MY BACKGROUND
Highly Specialist Speech and
Language Therapist
I have attended the following post graduate training courses:​
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Selective Mutism Modules 1-4 / Maggie Johnson
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for People who Stammer / Michael Palin Centre
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Avoidance Reduction Therapy (ARTS) for People who Stammer / The Siskin Stuttering Centre
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Supporting 8–15-year-olds who stammer / Michael Palin Centre
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people who stammer / Michael Palin Centre
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Palin Parent Child Interaction Therapy for young children who stammer / Michael Palin Centre
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Linda Gilmour
Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Hi, I’m Linda. I am a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with 14 years experience. After graduating from University College London in 2012, I spent 4 years in the NHS, first in inner city London and then in Leeds, before moving on to provide an independent service. I have spent most of my career working in mainstream primary schools and nurseries. This has allowed me to gain extensive experience with children who have a wide range of communication needs, and to understand that every child has a unique experience which shapes their communication. I have always had a special interest in preschool and Early Years communication development, and have recently been enhancing my knowledge and skills in identifying and supporting Gestalt Language Processors (GLP). I believe in a child-centred, play based approach to early intervention and in using movement and sensory experiences to support access to language. I am thrilled to be a team member of Nurture and have the opportunity to work more directly alongside parents and caregivers on your child’s communication journey. I look forward to meeting you!
Victoria Newland
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Hello, I'm Vicky, Nurture's Speech and Language Therapy assistant. I qualified as a teacher in 2006 from Bristol University but after years working in both primary and secondary schools, I am looking to retrain as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2026. Whilst my own children were young, I worked as a 1:1 Teaching Assistant supporting children with additional needs. I would often shadow Speech and Language Therapy sessions and be responsible for repeating therapy activities throughout the week. I am also a qualified children's yoga teacher and run sessions for a school in Harrogate. Yoga also happens to be my favourite hobby! I am trained and supervised by the team of therapists at Nurture and can deliver 1:1 or group therapy programmes written by the Nurture therapists to support your child in their nursery or school. I look forward to meeting you!