** Update January 2024: some upcoming availability for speech sound (pronunciation) therapy only. Please email directly lidawillingale@gmail.com**
What I can do
Hi, I’m Lida and I am a paediatric speech and language therapist working within Kent, East and West Sussex. I work independently supporting children and young people aged 2+ to 19 years old.
We can help with
Remembering and processing information (auditory memory)
Playing and learning language through play
Understanding spoken words and sentences
Learning to speak and use words and sentences
Pronouncing sounds and words (speech sounds)
Sequencing and telling stories
Stammering and fluency
Interacting, playing and communicating with adults and other children (social skills)
"Having tried many different speech therapists over many different stages of my son's life, we finally found the right one (and perhaps the right time) with Lida! It was lockdown so she worked remotely with my son to correct his lisp and when that was working she also worked on improving his general communication and annunciation. Lida was great and my son really liked her as did I. I think it's the best thing to have come out of lockdown for us that my son can go into his teenage years without a lisp! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lida."
My Ethos
I am passionate about supporting children and young people to become confident communicators and reach their communication potential. I offer a full range of services including assessment, therapy, resources and training to suit your needs. I can also sign post to other agencies who may be able to help your child.
About me
I graduated from University of Kent at Canterbury with a First Class BSc (Honours) in Psychology in 2002 and then went on to complete an MSc in Speech and Language Sciences in 2005. I am a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) and am registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council, having successfully been audited in 2009, 2017 and 2020.
I have over 19 years experience of working with children with speech and language issues. My experience is extremely varied and I like to think of myself as a “specialist generalist” (excuse the oxymoron!). I have gained experience across a range of settings including special schools with children with severe and complex and/or profound & multiple learning disabilities, a specialist secondary school for students with communication disorders including Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and language disorders, early years children and mainstream primary (2-11 years) supporting children with a range of speech language and communication difficulties. I have experience of working with children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Dyspraxia, speech sound delays/disorders, language delays/disorders, Down Syndrome & ADHD.
Private & past NHS roles
I “took the plunge” in 2016 to work privately alongside my NHS work. I previously enjoyed the balance that the private and NHS roles gave me but as of September 2020 I am now fully private on 3 1/2 days a week. I find that my private work allows me to maintain a better work-life balance. It also allows me to work with a whole range of difficulties in a flexible manner to meet the needs of the families, students and educational settings. I am committed to ensuring my services are appropriate, needs-led and will always communicate clearly with everyone involved in supporting a child.
I feel passionately about supporting my clients and students by ensuring parents and/or staff are fully trained to meet their needs across all aspects of home and school life. I am strongly committed to an ethos of developing self-help and independence skills. Alongside this I have a keen interest and continue to support and supervise student therapist as the future workforce! I have particular special interests in both dysfluency (stammering) and ASC.
The other me
When I’m not working, I have my other “hat” on as a mummy to three delightful and active children and PA (sorry, wife!) to a wonderful husband. I love being a mum, and seeing and supporting my children on their developmental journey is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.
As a mum I understand how you only want the best for your child and how frustrating it can be on all sides when communication within your family breaks down. I absolutely love what I do and feel privileged to be able to offer support to help children and young people reach their communication potential. I love seeing those I work with (whether it be parents, educational staff or students) develop confidence in a new found ability/skill or having a “light bulb” moment of understanding a difficulty or using a strategy.
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists: Certified Member RC0019733
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice Member
Health and Care Professionals Council: SL17049
