Nicola Withford-Eaton

Prior to qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), Nicola facilitated self-advocacy groups for adults with learning disabilities and also held an administrative role. She completed a NVQ Level 3 in Business and Administration and gained qualifications in Sign Supported English. Nicola also volunteered at Headway in Birmingham.

Nicola qualified as a SLT at Birmingham City University (BCU) in 2012. Since then she has practiced in Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders. She is a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) Certified Clinician and a member of the Central Neuro Rehabilitation Clinical Excellence Network (CEN).

Nicola has worked with clients who have had a stroke, those with progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease and dementia, clients with respiratory disorders and those who have a head injury. She is passionate about improving quality of life for the clients she works with working jointly with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

Nicola joined BCU as a lecturer in 2017. She teaches on the undergraduate Speech and Language Therapy degree course and Speech and Language Therapy Return to Practice course. She completed a PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education in 2019 and is a module co-ordinator for Appraising Communication and Swallowing Needs (ACSN). Her primary areas of teaching are dementia, end of life/palliative care and dysphagia