Happy New Year from Words First
Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025
As we step into 2025, it’s a great time to look back on everything we’ve accomplished together at Words First and get excited about what’s to come. Amanda, our Founder and Director, shares her thoughts on the past year and her hopes for the future:
“Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you’ve had a chance to rest and recharge over the holidays. I’m so excited to kick off another incredible year with you all. But before we dive into 2025, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the highlights from 2024—it was a truly special year for Words First.
Looking Back at 2024
1. Celebrating 15 Years of Words First
This year, we marked our 15th anniversary with an unforgettable Thames cruise. It was such a proud and emotional moment for me—a true highlight of my 15 years at Words First. Having Hannah, our very first Speech and Language Therapist, there made it even more meaningful. I still can’t believe that two of the schools we started working with all those years ago are still with us today. That kind of loyalty and connection is so rare, and it means everything to me.
2. Growing Together as a Multi-Disciplinary Team
This year, we’ve really hit our stride as a multi-disciplinary team. Completing our second year as an MDT has been such a rewarding journey. I’ve loved seeing the way our Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, and Speech and Language Therapists have come together, learning from and supporting each other to give the children and young people we work with the very best care. This collaboration has been such a joy to witness, and I can’t wait to see it grow even stronger in 2025.
3. Thriving with Our Team Leaders
One of the biggest reasons we’ve been able to grow so successfully is because of our incredible Team Leaders. This was the second year of having this structure, and I’ve been blown away by the difference it’s made. I’ve always worried that as we grew, we might lose the close, family feel that’s so important to me. But our Team Leaders have made sure that hasn’t happened—they’ve kept us connected, supported, and inspired. A huge thank you to all of you for everything you do.
Looking Ahead to 2025
At Words First, everything we do comes down to one simple goal: making a real difference for the children and young people we work with. That’s what drives us every single day, and it will continue to guide us through 2025. I’m so excited to see where this year takes us.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for everything you bring to Words First. Together, I know we’ll achieve amazing things. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!”
Back to School
With the holidays wrapping up, many families are starting to focus on the new school term. For the children we work with, this transition can feel a little daunting—but it can also be a time of growth and success with the right support.
In our next blog post, we’ll share simple, practical strategies to make the transition back to school smoother. We’ll cover:
- How to set up helpful routines
- Supporting sensory needs
- Working with school staff to create an inclusive environment
These tips will be full of actionable advice from our therapists to help you support the children in your life.
At Words First, we believe in celebrating the uniqueness of every child. We hope this upcoming resource helps you feel prepared and confident as you navigate the new term.
Here’s to a happy and fulfilling 2025—a year full of growth, connection, and meaningful moments!
