I first became interested in working in disability services during a college placement in a special school with the Brothers of Charity, whilst studying for my degree in Clinical Speech and Language Therapy.

From day one, I loved the experience. What inspired me most was being part of a team in which each child or adult, their family, and their support team worked together to achieve their goals and build a meaningful life. Every day is different, and every person we support is unique. It’s a dynamic, rewarding area to work in, and I knew right away that this was the area for me. 

I am the Speech and Language Therapy Manager for the Southern Region, covering Cork and Kerry, and have been working with the Service for 20 years. In this role, I support five Speech and Language Therapy teams: four Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) and one Adult team. My work focuses on maintaining clinical standards, guiding service development, and ensuring that the people we support receive high-quality, person-centred care. I collaborate closely with other disciplines and services to promote teamwork and best practice. As part of the Senior Management Team, I contribute to strategic planning and decision-making to help shape the future of our services. Alongside my management responsibilities, I keep a small caseload in our Adult service. This includes supporting safe Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (FEDS), enhancing communication, and training staff in FEDS and communication supports. 

No two days are ever the same! On any given day, you might find me meeting with our teams, supporting and supervising staff, working directly with the people we support, delivering training sessions, or collaborating on projects and strategic initiatives. Every day brings something new, and that’s what makes it exciting! 

I bring our ethos into my work by putting the person first – their voice, choices, and goals guide everything I do. 

I enjoy the work-life balance that is part of the ethos of Corlann, the emphasis on teamwork, and the many training opportunities available. What makes our services truly unique is our genuine focus on the people we support. It’s never just a tick-box exercise – it’s the foundation of everything we do. 

One highlight for me was an art initiative we ran across Cork for World Autism Day called Celebrate Your Autism. Autistic children from all over Cork were invited to take part in creative workshops with professional artists – everything from rap and ceramics to printmaking and illustration – and also submit their own artwork. We hosted an amazing opening event at UCC and even received funding from the Cork City Arts Office to interview all the artists and create a booklet showcasing their work and practice. It was such a rewarding project and a real celebration of creativity and inclusion.