23 September 2025
The RCSLT NI awards were held in September, celebrating the profession and work of SLTs and support workers in Northern Ireland
SLTs and support workers across Northern Ireland were celebrated and recognised through the RCSLT NI speech and language therapy awards last week.
The 2025 awards, held during the 80th anniversary year for the RCSLT, acknowledge the hard work, talent and dedication demonstrated by SLTs and support workers across Northern Ireland. The ceremony, held on 19 September, was hosted by former speech and language therapist and comedian Emer Maguire in Templepatrick, County Antrim. Awards were given in seven categories, with winners being presented with awards and certificates and runners-up presented with certificates.
Head of RCSLT NI Ruth says: “We know the difference our profession makes, but these awards shine a light on those individuals who go above and beyond. I’m proud we can honour colleagues who transform people’s lives, whether that’s helping a child to be understood, supporting someone to eat safely, or giving families hope for the future.”
The RCSLT sends our congratulations to all the winners and nominees.
The RCSLT NI award winners 2025
Rising Star Award Winners
- Inca Deeney – Southern Health and Social Care Trust speech and language therapist
- Bláithín Donnelly – Western Health and Social Care Trust speech and language therapist
Coproduction Award Winner
- Jodie Mills – Speech and language therapist and PhD student, supported by Dr Orla Duffy, Ulster University lecturer, for their research project on the use of smart speakers in improving speech and language therapy outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s.
Support Worker Award Winners
- Nuala Curran – a lecturer in speech and language therapy at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Susan McMullan – adult speech and language therapy office manager at South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Leadership Award Winner
- Teresa Noble – Recently retired clinical speech and language therapy lead at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Teresa spent over 38 years providing her team with compassionate and expert leadership so they could make a difference to the lives of thousands of young people.
Speech and Language Therapy Team Award Winner
- The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Adult Acute Speech and Language Therapy team They have transformed their services to tackle rising demand and staff pressures.
New Ways of Working Award Winner
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust – Chef Engagement Day. Over 150 chefs were trained to be aware of people’s eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties to fight malnutrition among care home residents and ensure they can access safer meals.
Inspiration Award Winner
- Keira Gilmore – Southern Health and Social Care Trust specialist speech and language therapist
