Sean Pert

Biography

I am a speech and language therapist with over 20 years'' experience in the NHS. I have worked as a specialist speech and language therapist, service manager and student co-ordinator. Clinically I have worked with:

• Children with severe speech and language impairments
• Bilingual children
• Trans adults on voice and communication change

I am interested in evidence-based practice and how to apply evidence in real clinical situations.

In October 2017 a radio programme I contributed to, exploring trans voice, ''Sounds Like She'', part of the BBC Radio 3 ''Between the Ears'' series was nominated for an ARIA award (Audio & Radio Industry Awards) for Best Factual Storytelling.

In 2017 I won the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists'' Sternberg Award for Clinical Innovation for Voice and Communication Groups involving student volunteers, in Partnership with Louie Stafford, Trans Programme Coordinator at the LGBT Foundation.

In 2017 I won the Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility: Outstanding Contribution to Equality and Diversity for the Voice and Communication Groups for trans individuals delivered in partnership with the LGBT Foundation.

In 2017 I was nominated and shortlisted for _Most Inspiring Lecturer, _Students'' Union Teaching Awards.

In 2012, with Dr C. McKean and Dr C. Stow, I won the Sternberg Clinical Innovation Award for work developing the Building Early Sentences Therapy (BEST) language therapy programme.

In June 2016 I was nominated for the Volunteer Going the Extra Mile award for the voice and communication workshops at the LGBT foundation (see Social Responsibility section).

In 2005, with Dr C. Stow, I won the Sternberg Clinical Innovation Award for work developing assessment tools to be used with Pakistani heritage children including the Bilingual Speech Sound Screen: Pakistani Heritage Languages, Mirpuri, Punjabi and Urdu.

Social responsibility

I am working in partnership with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans foundation (LGBT foundation) to provide  Voice and communication workshops  for Trans individuals. The aim of these workshops is provide evidence-based information to Trans people wishing to change their communication. This may involve changing the voice pitch (frequency), resonance, articulation style, use of language and non-verbal communication (also known as ''body language''). The workshops provide information on safe changes, as some non-professional online advice may risk damage to the vocal folds.

The workshops are typically held in the evenings at the LGBT foundation in Manchester''s Village and involve student speech and language therapists currently studying on the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy degree programme. This involvement encourages students to feel confident supporting people from the Trans community.

If you are an individual looking for support and you live or work in the Manchester area, please contact the Trans Programme Team at the LGBT foundation for more information. The Trans Programme Team have extensive information available here.