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The Bexley Learning Disability Speech and Language Therapy Team recently celebrated Linda Clark’s retirement, after a quarter of a century in post as an assistant.

Linda’s cousin, Alison, said:

Working in the Learning Disability Team (LDT) for 25 years has given Linda the opportunity to learn many new skills. It gave her a sense of self-worth, by being able to help others and teach them key word signing.

The support she received enabled her to be part of a team in a normal working environment and build long lasting relationships. Linda has been very lucky to be part of LDT, the people she has worked with throughout her time are just exceptional. She is very grateful to have had this opportunity and by retiring she is pleased to give someone else the opportunity to make a difference.

Lesley Brown (Consultant Speech and Language Therapist), who was Linda’s manager throughout, said:

It’s been so important to have Linda as part of our team. Over the years, she taught many colleagues how to use key word signing, an important communication skill that supports people with learning disabilities to understand others and express themselves.

As Linda relied on this method herself, her teaching was not just theoretical – it was real and meaningful. The reasonable adjustments we developed to enable Linda to do her job, also taught us a lot about how best to support people with learning disabilities in the workplace. We will all miss Linda a great deal, but wish her a well-deserved happy retirement. 

Thank you for your hard work and dedication over the last 25 years Linda, wishing you a happy retirement.