Total Communication Services CIC

09/12/2025

Our project Communicate and Connect is in the 3rd week. Its Gareth Welfords birthday too! Second day of filming with interns from DISC college and 4 Speech and Language Therapy students from the The University of Manchester. Today we are filming vocab requested by self advocates about fire safety and also some signs for daily living requested by Persona Care and Support . Funding for the project is thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund .

03/12/2025

With staff from Persona Care and Support providing a Signalong workshop funded by The National Lottery Community Fund . Supported by our co-trainer Steven Laithwaite and Speech and Language Therapy students from The University of Manchester . We learned 248 signs! Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

02/12/2025

Filming for our project Communicate & Connect with Speech and Language Therapy students from The University of Manchester.The project is exploring how we connect via different ways of communicating including Signalong . Todays films are signs we need for advocacy picked by Rochdale People First and signs for activities which were chosen by Persona Care and Support . Funding thanks to the The National Lottery Community Fund

01/12/2025

Our latest social impact report is available on the download page of the website. https://www.totalcommunication.org/downloads

Our key achievements are:

People Trained - 330+ support staff, therapists, students, and professionals.

Funds Raised - £2,400 for training films and advocacy work.

Projects Delivered - 6 major initiatives including Speaking Out, Being Heard.

Partnerships - 5 regional & national partners (e.g CQC, Bury People First, universities).

Community Events - 3 inclusive events promoting communication rights.

28/11/2025

Today we co-delivered the first of our session with self advocates from Rochdale People First and Bury People First with help from the speech and language therapy students at The University of Manchester. Our project Communicate and Connect was planned with members of the advocacy groups. Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
We discussed Signalong and its role in people speaking up for their rights. This includes whats good and bad about their situation. People need the right vocabulary to be able to make choices which includes saying no and refusing.

27/11/2025

Today we have been at Persona Care and Support at their Ramsbottom Centre introducing some of our ideas to the people who attend and their support staff. The project has been funded by the The National Lottery Community Fund and we are exploring ways to help people to
We had fun playing games and learning new signs. The Speech & Language Therapy students from the University of Manchester had the opportunity to meet the group and try out their new Signalong skills and to develop resources for the group to use in the future. Placements are an important part of the training for therapists. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists . Independent Speech & Language Therapists are able to offer a range of innovative placement with time to learn therapeutic skills
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice

26/11/2025

Signalong training for Persona Care and Support staff as part of the Communicate & Connect project. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

25/11/2025

We have a new Christmas resource available on our website as a download which was co-produced with pupils at New Bridge School and Bury People First. First year Speech & Language Therapy student Victoria Stothard from the University of Manchester developed the Christmas games which will work alongside the vocabulary film on our YouTube channel. https://www.totalcommunication.org/downloads
Another good reason for ensouraging student placements in independent practice
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Grateful thanks to the The National Lottery Community Fund for the funding the Speaking Out Being Heard project.

25/11/2025

We have a new resource available on our website as a download! The Speech & Language Therapy students from The University of Manchester co-produced these resources to support the films on our YouTube channel. The resource was co produced with pupils at New Bridge School and Bury People First, funding from the The National Lottery Community Fund
See https://www.totalcommunication.org/downloads

24/11/2025

First day with the 1st year Speech and Language Therapy students from The University of Manchester on placement. We began with an introduction to our project Communicate and Connect funded by
The National Lottery Community Fund . Photo of the students learning some Signalong skills.
We will be working with Bury People First Rochdale People First and Persona Care and Support .
Logo design for the project by interns on placement from DISC college Manchester.


Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

13/11/2025

Please see our latest blog- next years event is already being planned!

On 18th October 2025 we held our second music event, Communication Nation at Ramsbottom Civic Hall. The event was organised with self-advocates from Bury People First and with a huge amount of good will from local musicians, who gave up their time and equipment for us to use. There is a culture of l...

07/11/2025

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists hub NW. Representing Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice
Useful discussion, building connections and sharing ideas for the future of the profession