A new independent speech therapy clinic has opened in Clapham as NHS Therapists are concerned about waiting lists across the UK.
The clinic is an expansion of London Speech Therapy’s services in Central and East London to support children and adults in South London.
This launch comes after the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT) revealed in a 2025 report that 7 in 10 NHS Speech and Language Therapists in the UK are worried about the length of the wait children and their families experience for their first appointment.
Mairead Skinner, joint managing director at London Speech Therapy told the South-West Londoner that the clinic would be an asset to an area highly populated with families.
She said: “There is a really high need.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 2 million children nationwide currently experience significant difficulties with their language and communication.
Skinner spoke about how the clinic both complements and compares with available NHS services.
She said: “The difference is time limitations really – The therapists are maybe stretched in a different way than our therapists.
“We say our ethos is to hold the client in the palm of our hands in their journey, meeting them wherever they are at.
“A lot of the time, your NHS journey will be more prescriptive perhaps, as they’re so limited on what they can provide. You have a pathway to follow.
“If you wanted daily therapy we could provide it and we can liaise with you in between.
“It is that ongoing consistent care that is the difference.”
Skinner stated that they are an open practice and are trialling free advice clinics for those who may not be able to access the service otherwise.
She said: “Our ethos is a gold standard service for all, and that is something that is our long-term plan – the more accessible services that we can offer are what we want to do”
The clinic, located on Clapham High Street, provides both private 1:1 services to children and adults as well as free training and outreach to schools and community groups.
Skinner described speech and language therapy as dealing with ‘anything to do with communication and anything that stands in the way of communication.’
Skinner stated that between the ages of three and five is when children develop their self-image.
A 2016 study by University of Washington researchers found that children’s self-esteem is already established by five years old.
She said: “That is why early intervention is so important for that younger population.
“It used to be that people would say watch and wait, but we’re really moving away from that.
“Self-esteem is a really big thing that is impacted by communication differences.”
Skinner added that this is especially common in children whom teachers think are simply ‘acting up’.
She said: “It is often due to self-esteem, communication differences and difficulties. So we can really help them work on those things.”
A 2024 briefing paper by the RCSLT Northern Ireland referenced a 2007 study which discovered over 60% of young people in youth justice settings have communication difficulties.
Emily Kirchin, also joint director at London Speech Therapy, echoed Skinner’s comments on the problems that arise when speech and language difficulties are left untreated.
She said: “It has a huge impact.”
“Imagine if they’ve had years of not being able to communicate. They might have all this stuff going on in their head that they can’t get out.
“Or what about the family who can’t get through to their child or can’t hear what that child needs.
“That’s really difficult.”
The organisation has 20 specialist therapists working across clinics, educational settings, healthcare providers and in patients’ homes.
Both directors described the Clapham Clinic as a Calm environment with space for 1:1 and group therapy sessions, fitted with toys and language resources.
The clinic also has specialist materials to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Skinner said they want to encourage community out-reach and work with schools and families in the area.
The service will offer free drop-in advice clinics to nurseries in South London, where nursery staff are able to voice any concerns or queries, something they would like to expand to schools.
Kirchin said: “What we really want is a really busy, bustling hub where therapists can share best practice.
“So they can really share their knowledge and skills.
“We’d also like to expand on our weekend working and expand on our adults who need therapy as well, so we can be reaching out to as many people as possible.”
To mark the opening of the new clinic, London Speech Therapy will be hosting a free drop-in advice session and play event on 27th January at Millie and Maisie Soft Play Café in Rectory Grove.
Additionally, the clinic is offering a 50% discount on initial assessments and therapy sessions at their Clapham clinic throughout January.
Featured image credit: London Speech Therapy
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