Client Reviews

"Following a stroke (Acute Ischaemic) that I had in September 2018 I was left with expressive & receptive dysphasia. I was recommended by the consultant to begin Speech Therapy as soon as possible. Thankfully I was recommended Nicky Whitfield by BUPA. Nicky was the best thing that could have happened to me as far as my speech rehabilitation is concerned. She tailored her sessions to my needs and as I am in a Managerial position at work she really custom made my sessions so that my speech improved enough for me to return to work. The appointments are really relaxed and Nicky makes you feel at ease at all times. Nicky also provides work for you to take home so that the therapy doesn't stop once the session ends. I cannot recommend Nicky enough she has been absolutely amazing during my recovery and my speech has subsequently improved a significant amount she has definitely been instrumental in my recovery." P.E. (Stoke)

"Nicky has been giving my husband speech and language therapy for approximately two years. My husband had quite a severe stroke in March 2016 and as a result, suffered from communication difficulties, namely dysphasia.

With a lot of patience and practice progress has been made. His handwriting has improved so that he can now copy and write reasonably well using his left hand. His speech is improving, and with Nicky's help, he can now have a short conversation. Her manner towards my husband is one of practice,patience and perseverance. She has become a good friend and my husband responds well to her gentle style. She is doing a good job in getting communication back to a good level according to his ability". J.H. (Stroke)

“Thank you for the massive help that you have given me in gaining control of my stammer and bringing back my much missed confidence with my speech. I’m at a very good place with it now and I'm fully embracing the techniques you have taught me.”

B.W.(Stammer)

"I depend on my voice for professional interaction. With help and guidance from Nicky, I was able to first understand my Stroke and then learn how to both overcome the seriousness of it and learn how to deal with its effects. The lessons and routine have been rigorous, challenging, rewarding and fun: Nicky was able to adapt to my often busy schedule which has been a great relief and help.As a sufferer of emotional lability, we have managed to get through my sessions with ease, thanks to Nicky's boundless professionalism. I continue to have Nicky as a monitor and her lessons as guidance." A.A.(Stroke)

"I have attended sessions with Nicky to recover from a stammer that developed as a result of stress and anxiety. She has provided expert advice as well as emotional support and guidance to help live day to day with a speech impediment. My stammer is getting better every day thanks to her intervention and I would thoroughly recommend her to others with speech problems." L.S. ( Stammer )

"The work I did with Nicky was really beneficial. I learned to speak in a higher register without it sounding forced or artificial. I've a lot more confidence about using my voice in everyday situations - especially as a few people I know well have commented positively that I sound different. The icing on the cake was the other day when I phoned a friend I've known for years and they had absolutely no idea who was calling them! The work was tailored to my needs and structured so that I could see improvement as the weeks progressed." Ms Cecilia D (Transgender)

"As a teacher of a Reception class I constantly use my voice. Sadly I have been blighted by throat infections and needed Speech Therapy during the past two winters. Finding Nicky was a real blessing. She is very professional and patient. I had very structured sessions with Nicky and my voice soon returned. I would recommend (and I do) Nicky as a Speech Therapist to anyone who has lost their voice." Mrs. K R (Voice)

"Nicky has provided regular speech therapy to my husband since July 2014 when he suffered a left sided stroke leaving him with quite severe global aphasia. He had very little speech in the early days and his understanding was also compromised.
"Through weekly visits which have now become fortnightly Nicky has sustained a thorough programme of therapy which has been challenging, enjoyable and successful. His speech has improved to a level in which he can make himself understood and he feels more confident in social situations. Nicky is also working on his written language and comprehension.
"Nicky's approach is very professional, she gives careful thought and preparation to each session and also provides him with work to undertake at home. We have found Nicky very supportive and without her help we are convinced that his communication would not have recovered to the standard reached so far. We can never thank her enough." Wife of K.O. ( Stroke )

"Thank you so much. It was very useful, partly as reassurance for me but also my father too. Mum came away feeling very calm and she usually gets anxious and complains no-end about appointments she’s been to, so thank you also for being so lovely with her. " S.G. ( Personalised advice re safe eating and drinking in Dementia).

"Nicky first began treating my husband in November 2015 : he was in late stage Parkinson's Disease, with impaired mobility, but with his mental faculties largely unaffected until he suffered a near-fatal stroke in July 2015, which robbed him of most of his remaining motor skills and all of his speech. He spent 19 weeks in hospital, during which time he received little in the way of speech therapy, and consequently lost what little remained of his speech and other interaction skills.

From the first session, Nicky demonstrated an uncanny ability to reach out and make contact with a patient whose world had effectively been closed and locked. My husband responded immediately to the warmth and reassurance which Nicky offered, and happily followed all the exercises which she introduced, to the extent that he regained some of his speech and a limited vocabulary.

Sadly, Parkinson's does not halt its progress, and a further minor stroke and several hospitalisations with pneumonia combined to take away even the basics of speech. Undaunted, Nicky introduced other methods of communication, such as pointing, spelling out words, using picture images etc to add to the regular voice exercises, and her visits became the highlight of my husband's week.

Recently, my husband was diagnosed as being in the palliative stage of Parkinson's, with a limited life expectancy, yet Nicky continued to help him until it became apparent that he was no longer responsive, and she suggested that we should not recommence the sessions after the Christmas break.

It would be difficult to overstate the debt we owe Nicky, and we will always think of her as a friend, as well as one of the most dedicated and talented health professionals we have ever met." Wife of A.R. (Stroke and Parkinson's Disease)

"Our step-father at 96 years of age was finding swallowing extremely difficult and this was a big worry as he was losing weight. We contacted Nicky who came to our house and thoroughly listened to our concerns. She very patiently explained to us and him why the difficulties might be occurring and gave us a plan of action. She sent us a personalised printed therapy plan with numerous throat exercises and as he found them fun to do, he kept doing them! After a while he found swallowing easier and whereas before he dreaded mealtimes, he now looked forward to them. We also found the information about the thickening powder for liquids (tea/coffee/water) invaluable as he could once again enjoy his cuppa without choking on it.Nicky has one of those enviable calming personalities and that coupled with her professionalism made us all feel totally relaxed and confident in what she did for us." Step daughter of N.B. (Swallowing difficulties)

My 87 year-old father had a very disabling stroke about five years ago and had been relatively isolated since then, so his speech was very limited indeed. Nicky has worked patiently and conscientiously over several months to rebuild his confidence, focusing on what abilities he has and using exercises, songs and technology to challenge him to gradually improve. This meant he could relate to staff and visitors better at his nursing home; and that’s really improved his day-to-day relationships. Nicky gave me regular and comprehensive feedback, detailing what she had done each week and any improvement. She took time and trouble to get to know Dad, his history, likes and dislikes, and has developed a warm and caring relationship with him that I know he appreciated. Nicky is clearly a very professional and accomplished practitioner and is happy to go the extra mile to personally relate to her clients, with impressive results.

Son of T.M. (Stroke)

My mother had a stroke 12 months ago and lost nearly all her speech and confidence. Thanks to Nicky's patience, kindness and expertise my mother can now join in a conversation. Nicky also helped us as a family to support my mother in her speech development. I would highly recommend Nicky, and thank you Nicky for all your help.

Son of Mrs.M.R. (Stroke)

Having had an operation to remove a nodule from my voice box, my speech was very slow in recuperating, despite following all the post operation advice. In desperation, I sought the services of Nicky and after a few sessions, there was a marked improvement. In the meantime, I had contacted the surgeon at Glangwili Hospital to ask for a further examination. As a result a second nodule had appeared which would require another operation. I continued with the therapy lessons and voice exercises and then I was summoned to the hospital just before the second operation. The surgeon carried out another laryngoscopy to find that this second nodule had disappeared! He was somewhat mystified but suggested that it was a result of Nicky's therapy. The operation was cancelled and I continue to make good progress. I am very grateful and thank Nicky for her professional help which prevented a further operation and restored my voice to near normal.

M.C. (Voice)