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Released: 05.01.10

A speech and language therapy worker who studied at UCP Marjon has won a national prize.

Hannah Bibby, has been given a Tavistock Trust for Aphasia Student Prize 2009 for her dedicated work in speech and language therapy.

The 25-year-old, who now lives in Preston, said she was ‘shocked’ when she found out she was one of only 14 people to win the annual prize.

The prize rewards speech therapy students. The trust is named after Robin Tavistock, the 14th Duke of Bedford, who, in 1988, suffered a brain haemorrhage and was left with the inability to access language, known as aphasia.

Hannah said she was given the prize mainly for a piece of work she did for a client during her speech and language therapy degree course at  UCP Marjon.

She said the client – a man in his forties – had suffered a stroke and her task was to help him communicate once again.

Hannah said: “He had aphasia so I had to think of ways around the problem and help him access society. I later did a presentation on my work with him – and it was filmed, and the trust saw the film.

“I was given a £300 cash prize at an achievers’ dinner and I also received a handwritten letter from Robin Tavistock’s wife.”

Hannah said she is now working as a speech and language therapist in Preston, but she enjoyed her time at UCP Marjon.

She said: “I was extremely shocked and extremely honoured that the trust thought my work was really valued. It meant a lot!”

Maggie Cooper, director of healthcare at UCP Marjon, congratulated Hannah, who was chosen by the members of the selection panel because of her ‘excellent performance’.

Ms Cooper said: “It is so important for speech and language therapists to be able to base their practical therapy on theory, and a proven evidence base, and at UCP Marjon we give this a lot of priority.

“Hannah excels in this area. We’re proud of all of our speech and language therapy graduates, and I’m sure that many individuals with speech, language and communication needs will appreciate their skills.”

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